REGATTA GEAR

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,  and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.  And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,  and a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

— “I Must Go Down to the Sea,” by John Masefield

Oh, and some warm, dry clothing, too, please.

The Regatta Gear team wants sailors to keep warm, dry and safe at all times, so we always like to discuss the finer points of dressing properly when sailing.

Going offshore means that you will expose your body to an environment in which weather conditions and temperatures can rise and fall much more rapidly than they do on land. The reflection of UV light on the water surface can damage your skin and, in the event you get exposed to cold water, hypothermia can cause death much more suddenly than many people realize.

So, it is critically important to properly gear up.

Open waters are a special environment which requires you to properly prepare your body for the rigors of the experience. The first step in taking precautions is donning appropriate clothing and gear. The variety of modern clothing to be worn on your body is enormous due to the use of modern materials and a number of very recent innovations that compete with traditional clothing for sailors.

Since anything can happen on the water, sailors have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Out in the open sea, the weather can be so unpredictable that, without the right gear, we are like astronauts going into space without a spacesuit.

Sailing is one of those outdoor adventures that require a lot of gear. This is because out in the open sea where the weather is unpredictable, temperatures can be extreme, waves can be as tall as buildings, and it’s very easy to get lost.  And, of course, there’s the ever-looming danger brought about by predatory sea creatures like sharks.

Your sailing gear should both be comfortable yet protective.  It is important to be safe but you would certainly not want to spend the whole sailing trip in extreme discomfort.

Some sailing apparel is made of dry fit fabrics. This type of sailing gear can keep excess moisture away. You need warm clothes that can stay dry especially when the weather starts becoming humid.  Waterproof apparel is also important to prevent your body from getting soaked.

Breathable fabric is also a good choice for sailing apparel. With this type of fabric, your body can release heat and water vapor from inside to keep you cool when the temperatures become painfully scorching.

When making clothing choices, there are some general guidelines everybody should consider for the sake of their health and safety.

1. Always expect to become wet.
2. Stay warm.
3. Expect changes in the temperature.
4. If you go hardcore, wear wetsuits.
5. Keep a cool head – but not too cool: about 20 percent of the body’s heat loss in a cold environment occurs through your head.
6. Think of the UV – many people don’t realize how aggressive the sun can be on open waters.
7. Protect your hands – they will do the most important work for you.
8. Protect your feet.
9. Have personal buoyancy with you – you might leave the boat before you want to leave the boat.

We will go into greater detail in each of these areas in future blogs.