You will be safer, more comfortable and have more fun when you're dressed right!

Dressing right can make the difference between having a really good time or simply enduring discomfort until the end of the day. With a versatile clothing system you will be safer, more comfortable, perform better and simply have more fun on the water. The bottom line is... you will want to paddle more often.

Being comfortable in all conditions comes down to one basic principle - maintaining a balance between the heat our bodies produce and the heat we lose to the environment.

Rain, sleet, spray, unexpected swims and capsizes can happen to anyone in water sports. The days of a rubber raincoat over jeans and a T-shirt are gone for one simple reason: they don't work. Dressing for any active sport is not magic, alchemy or random chance.

Maintaining a comfort balance can become a critical factor. Learn what can be done to reduce the potential for exposure. Consider the weather, environmental conditions, possible mishaps and unexpected events, and especially your skill level and experience then dress appropriately.

Good clothing is the best tool for managing exposure, and for increasing enjoyment. Just a few minutes in the cold water will steal more heat from a body than hours of exposure to cold air. So be sure you dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature.

Your body's internal heat production is affected by your tolerance to temperature changes, physiology, food, sleep, level of exhaustion and activity.

Heat is lost to the environment in four ways:

• Radiation - heat flows from a warmer object to a cooler one. Since your body is often warmer than the air, you lose heat when skin is exposed.

• Convection - is caused by movement of air. A cold windy day steals your heat & energy faster than a calm day. Reduce convection heat loss with windproof garments.

• Conduction - occurs from direct contact with something cold and it happens 32 times faster when that cold thing is wet. Next time you paddle, put your hand in the cold water and time how long it takes until you feel the sting. It won't take long, and that's why dressing right is so important no matter how nice of a day it is. Balance conductive heat loss with good insulation.

• Evaporation - is moisture leaving the body as vapor (sweating), and it takes your body's heat with it. Cotton holds that moisture and can ruin your comfort level. Moisture management can be accomplished with good system of moisture wicking, hydrophobic insulation and breathable waterproof clothing.

The art of dressing for water sports is a matter of choosing the right tools for the job, and using them properly. You need a complete system that balances heat loss with production, and adjusts to deal with conditions that can change by the hour or the season. The best way to do this is with layers.

A layered system of garments finds its strength in versatility. Each layer performs a specific function, and can be mixed and matched to adapt to different conditions. The best garments are the ingredients of a multi-layered system that fits well, won't restrict your movement, and weighs almost nothing.

Good layering consists of the following:

1. First layer - for moisture movement. A thin base layer garment made of silk, merino wool or synthetics work best. No cotton. A good base layer next to the skin will wick the body moisture away from the body and transfer it to the next layer, keeping the skin dry and decreasing evaporative heat loss.

2. Second layer - for insulation. A thicker garment with air trapping properties like Fleeces or even wool work best and will insulate against the cold. Conditions and your level of activity determine the thickness of this layer.

3. Third layer - the protective outer shell. This protects against incoming water, wind, or sun. Paddling jackets, pants, dry suits and tops that are waterproof and breathable will do the best job.

Now you are ready for the water! You may need all layers to maintain body heat before warming up. As you become more active, you can balance clothing layers with your body temperature to avoid overheating. You can use the ventilating features found on most paddling apparel and remove a layer or replace it with a thinner one as conditions change.