call for ideas & winter activities & and water sports

[Guest guest]

There are all kinds of suits for workers who are exposed to chemicals, but they

are all big and baggy so they will fit over the clothing on any sized person.

Its real hard to imagine somebody swimming in one, and its not likely they are

designed to be watertight if submerged.

 

The wetsuit worn by scuba divers would at least slow down the absorption of

chlorine into the skin covered by the wetsuit, and still allow swimming. However

you would still be breathing the chlorine fumes, and getting splashes of

chlorinated water on your head.

 

Once you buy a wet suit, then you could just go swimming outside, since that is

the whole point of a wet suit in the first place. Then you could completely

avoid the chlorine. An added advantage is you get extra buoyancy from the suit,

so if you get tired of swimming, you can coast to a stop, and rest for a while

 

There is a whole range of suits for scuba divers, surfers, wind surfers, and

water skiers to allow them to pursue their sport in all seasons in all water

temperatures. The diehards prefer the winter because there is more freedom and

space since most people are inside waiting for summer. So there is a whole

business out there somewhere catering to this crowd. I'd search the web for

these sports and look for suppliers for insulated clothing.

 

Henry, your question triggered this idea. I'm starting to get a little excited

about it. I don't ever remember somebody just swimming in a wet suit, probably

because they are a bit cumbersome. However if you really like swimming, it would

get you out and about in cold water in all seasons.

 

I haven't been swimming in a pool in many years because the idea of being in a

chlorinated box of water was just too weird.

 

The vision of putting on a wet suit in the middle of winter, and jumping in the

Sound, or inner tubing down the river, or playing in the surf in the ocean is

really intriguing because we have such a short outdoor swimming season here.

 

May your day be filled with clarity, grace, progress, and warm laughter,

Roger

 

-

" Henry Counts " <henrylee48

<RawSeattle >

Friday, February 18, 2005 11:12 AM

Re: [RawSeattle] call for ideas & winter activities

 

 

>

> Howdy,

> Up until I realize the dangers of chlorine, I enjoyed the many benefits of

lap swimming. Now that that has come to a halt, I was wondering if anyone was

aware of any chlorine protective garments that I could use in order to pursue my

sport?

> hen

> Roger Padvorac <roger wrote:

> >From my perspective, winter just means a change of clothing, not a change of

activity. This means in the winter you can do most activities you do in the

summer plus all the snow sports!

>

> Many people, who like being out of doors, aren't familiar with the advantages

of wearing a complete outfit of a synthetic fleece, like Polartec, to help cope

with the cold and damp.

>

> With a complete shell of ventilated breathable waterproof fabric from head to

foot (and to finger tip) with a layer of synthetic fleece covering everything

under the shell, you can be warm and dry in the coldest fog or the most blustery

rainy day. Really cold people can wear long underwear and the Polartec and a

sweater, or even 2 layers of Polartec. This gives you the freedom to be outside

12 months a year doing most of your favorite activities.

>

> In addition there are insulated dry suits for diving, wind surfing, and

kayaking in freezing weather.

>

> So rather than finding activities suited to the winter weather, find cold and

damp and wind resistant clothing, keep doing what you usually do, and enjoy all

types of weather 365 days a year

>

> REI isn't what it used to be, but especially the main store in Seattle does

have a wide assortment of clothing that you can look at, feel, try on, and get a

sense of clothing types and materials that you aren't familiar with. Even if I

end up ordering from a web site, a visit to REI first help me make better

choices so what I get meets my needs.

>

> When I was working on improving my outdoor gear, I put together this list of

helpful links. It covers everything from summer car camping to winter mountain

climbing. Since you need more weather protection in the winter, it leans towards

covering those needs.

> www.skilledwright.com/outdoorequipmentsources.htm

>

> May your day be filled with clarity, grace, progress, and warm laughter,

> Roger

>

> -

> " alexa berlow " <alexa_berlow

> <RawSeattle >

> Wednesday, February 16, 2005 11:48 PM

> [RawSeattle] call for ideas

>

>

> >

> >

> > hello all,

> >

> > i would like to develope a list of physical

> > activities, exercise and the like, that are enjoyed

> > during the winter season (in the pacific northwest

> > climate). walking is a given. otherwise, include

> > anything, including stretches to very vigorous

> > exercise. since the weather has been more mild,

> > outdoor activities would be nice to know about. please

> > specify with your idea.

> >

> > looking forward to hearing from you!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I swam in a wetsuit while training for a triathlon. If you are planning to

use one for swimming you need to buy a wet suit specifically for swimming to

stay on the top of the water. Scuba suits are designed to help keep you

under!

 

Shari

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the feedback Shari. The last time I was around scuba diving, the

suits were so buoyant that the diver needed to wear weights just to get under

the surface!

 

Having a weighted suit would simplify all this (if you are wanting to sink).

Since I love bobbing in the waves like a sea otter, I'd rather float.

 

Would you have any recommendations on brands or sources for the non-sinking

kinds of wet suits for really cold water?

 

May your day be filled with clarity, grace, progress, and warm laughter,

Roger

 

-

" Shari Viger " <shavig

<RawSeattle >

Friday, February 18, 2005 7:50 PM

Re: [RawSeattle] call for ideas & winter activities & and water sports

 

 

>

> I swam in a wetsuit while training for a triathlon. If you are planning to

> use one for swimming you need to buy a wet suit specifically for swimming to

> stay on the top of the water. Scuba suits are designed to help keep you

> under!

>

> Shari