Dealing with ice and cold temperatures
By Dylan Kirk Our days have been getting progressively shorter since June 21 st . As our planet follows it's annual course, the Earth's axis positions the Northern Hemisphere away from the Sun's direct rays. As a result our temperatures drop, and our lakes and rivers freeze. A wise paddler once described winter as “this sucks”. If a river's current flows quickly enough, the water molecules will have too much energy to solidify. The river will not freeze. Several of these rivers exist throughout New York State, and many paddlers brave frigid winter temperatures to stay active. In mid-March 2013, Ed Wagner and I were out in his JD Pro, paddling past large chunks of ice on the Owasco Outlet. As we came to a sharp corner, I planted a post to bring the boat around. The boat jostled and we went in. I gasped. It was my first time in freezing water. I was afraid, but not at all surprised. Both Ed and I had a hand on the boat and we swam it to shore. The paddle from