Pushing water sports into winter with Thermals

Well guys, winter is coming on strong in Australia now, and we all know what that means. As you I love being outdoors, but like most everyone else I always end up with a cold or flu within a week of the weather turning nasty. It doesn’t help that I’ve just bought myself a Canadian canoe to add to my menagerie of outdoor hobby horses (as if the bikes etc weren’t enough). So I’ve taken the little boat on a few trips on local rivers, and while it’s great it brings home just how cold it gets on the water. Nothing breaks the wind at all, and I got pretty chilled last time despite it being a reasonable day.
I find it really awkward paddling in bulky garments, and even avoid life jackets unless I’m in fast or choppy water. I find that coats or jumpers ride up and end up chafing your underarms and torso after an hour or so of paddling, plus I am a bit phobic of falling in the water and being weighed down with baggy clothes.
My solution is the same as for my other outdoor activities, thermal underwear of course. it fits the bill perfectly. It’s light weight, doesn’t rub or chafe like a baggy jacket, and you don’t get your fingers caught up in loose material (this always happens with jacket, your thumbs catch on the drawstrings or zip pockets). It makes me feel a lot safer to, in terms of swimming if I have to. I admit I have not tried swimming in thermals, but it is actually on my list – I will try it soon and post about it! Leggings and tops are so light and close fitting they don’t feel like they would drag me down though. The good thing is I can wear shorts and a T shirt over the tops and bottoms, which gives easy free movement. What I do is roll up the legs and arms so as not to look like too much of a weirdo, but this is up to you of course!
No more excuses for colds and flu’s now. Water sports can be pushed right into the colder months as long as you keep that body heat in.  Just wear thermals instead of those summertime mens swimming trunks!  ;)

Thanks to alexgoodey for the image!