Kayaking (and swimming) in December

December 29. 50 degrees.

50 degrees is, according to Darren, the kayaking cut off.

The Murtaugh was still running above 5000 cfs, so we set off to kayak up to the Connection wave.

Merman

Darren brought the wrong skirt for Brady. This tiny skirt would fit smallest kayak they make. Both Darren and I stood on his feet and tried to pull the skirt up....once we got it on he literally looked a little sick from it being so tight.

At first glance up river it looked like a whole bunch of white grocery sacks floating in the river. They were actually pieces of ice. Obviously the water was still pretty darn cold.

Darren and Brady still messing with the skirt....

My guys

Not happy about the spray skirt situation

Justin and Nate parking their boats on the ice

Happy happy happy to be boating

Me and my fav D & B boots

See the yellow boat Darren is chasing?

Where is its occupant?

He's hanging on to the back of Justin's boat, gasping for breath in the freezing water!

While surfing a wave near the Connection his nose dived, his teeny tiny skirt popped, and he was out of the boat before he realized why he wasn't able to roll! Sporting his new Pogies for the first time, he couldn't throw his paddle to push himself all the way out of his boat, and it took him a second to figure out why. Wearing pogies doesn't let you let go of the paddle. They are mittens that connect around the paddle. You have to pull your hands out of the glove to release the paddle.

Cold cold cold

The other thing going on in this picture is Justin grabbing for his lighter. He tossed it on shore apparently for me to start a fire - right away!

I just kept taking pictures!

Magellen, or Boy Scout, whichever you want to call him, is always prepared! He had this going in seconds!

We decided that Brady could just burn off the 2 miles of river in a hurry, warming him up in the meantime. I had a hard time catching him, even in my touring kayak. He was cruising. By the time I caught him he was warm (enough).

Justin and Nate both did rolls just to say they did it. In December.

All snuggly and warm in the truck with heater on full blast.

Love this kid.