water temp...

[Florida kiter]

I was just thinking about getting out on the water for the first time this year... the perfest wind and warm, sunny weather.
As some of you know, I moved here from florida last august and kited WBL and Wac. for the remainder of the season.
Problem: I don't have a dry suit. I thought about layering a 2mm shorty and 3mm full suit, but I've never been in water this cold before. Will it be enough?
I do have some booties and even a hood if necessary.
Any thoughts?

Michael

[tom_latcham]

If it gets to 80 today my dry suit will be very hot. It will be nice to go out without gloves. I was wading around in Minnetonka yesterday to flood my intake hose for my irrigattion system. I did not use my booties and it took 15 minutes. It wasn't to bad. I will be torn today between dry suit and wet suit. probably still use my dry suit because I have it. But if nothing goes wrong I would use wetsuit. It is easier to cool off in if you get hot in a wet suit. If something goes wrong and you have to swim in a dry suit would be much safer. Will still use boots. Cold water will be splashing the feet all day.
Heading to Waconia later.
TL

[Tighe]

The rule of thumb is to dress for the swim in not the ride out. 80 degrees sounds warm but if you're floating in water due to an equipment problem or the wind shutting off, whatever...you could be in trouble. I'd say give it a try. Put on your suit and go out and float up to your neck for 5-10 minutes. If you're not too cold you'll probably be fine.

Everyone keep an eye on eachother out there. If someone goes down drag them to shore. The water is still dangerous.

Have fun. Funny we have the exact wind and air temp forecast down here as you do up there, but we're in boardshorts. We're into a stretch of days that doesn't look to end.....20-30+mph and hot.

enjoy