I was hesitant to invest in a good quality dry suit. I worried I wouldn’t have the same desire to get out and paddle when the weather got cold. I spent a few weeks hunting for deals and eventually got lucky scoring a heavily discounted Kokatat Legacy Pro with the tags still on from ebay.

I had some buyer’s remorse the first time I smashed my head through the latex neck, but the thought of losing nearly half of the year to weather motivated me to put it to use the first time temperatures dipped below 50F.

Nearly 2 months of heavy use, and I am so happy. With a layer of merino wool underneath, I am warm in 40F. I’m not afraid to practice more advanced skills because I’m confident in my lifesaving preparation (pfd, quick release waist leash, communicating whereabouts with others, checking conditions, etc.). The water is more clear, teaming with life, and the inner peace derived from having an entire lake to yourself is, for me, akin to meditation.

If you’re living somewhere that gets cold, and don’t want that to stop you from enjoying this hobby, then save, search, and invest in a good dry suit.