Hello from a new member—so new I don’t yet have my ski! But I want to get ready before it arrives. Been paddling sea kayaks since the early 2000s and have all the cold-water clothing. However, my intro to surfskis was in warm southern Cali waters, with bare feet. That leaves me wondering if there is any reason NOT to wear paddling booties in a ski.
Namely, will the soled heels wear away the gel coat etc? Assuming I use streamlined booties, I *think* they will fit in the footwell. There are whitewater kayaking “rodeo” socks made if soled boots are a bad idea. How about using whatever board surfers wear in cold water? Or do they go barefoot even in frigid conditions?
I live in SW Colorado. Going barefoot here only makes sense in mid to late summer, and even then hoofing it from vehicle to launch means wearing protective footgear (sharp debris on the ground, esp. near boat ramps). I figure on strapping sandals to the rear deck for that.
Some of the videos here show people wearing drysuits and other cold-water clothing, so I am glad to know people are playing in the cold stuff, too. At least till “cold” becomes “solid,” anyway!
Namely, will the soled heels wear away the gel coat etc? Assuming I use streamlined booties, I *think* they will fit in the footwell. There are whitewater kayaking “rodeo” socks made if soled boots are a bad idea. How about using whatever board surfers wear in cold water? Or do they go barefoot even in frigid conditions?
I live in SW Colorado. Going barefoot here only makes sense in mid to late summer, and even then hoofing it from vehicle to launch means wearing protective footgear (sharp debris on the ground, esp. near boat ramps). I figure on strapping sandals to the rear deck for that.
Some of the videos here show people wearing drysuits and other cold-water clothing, so I am glad to know people are playing in the cold stuff, too. At least till “cold” becomes “solid,” anyway!