I live in Vancouver, WA and ride on the Columbia River between WA and OR.
I'll wear wetsuit shorts and a heater top (1.5 mil) when the water is in the low 60's. When the water dips into the mid to upper 50's, I'd be okay in a full wetsuit like a 3/2. For lower 50's water temp I'd really want a 3/4 wetsuit. But honestly, I skip a lot of the full wetsuit stuff with water in the 50's or below and go straight to my drysuit. It's so awesome to be able to ride and then be dry when you get back in the boat.
I will ride from March through the beginning of November because I have a drysuit. We will also do "polar bear runs" where the water temps are in the low 40's. I think I rode in 42 degree water on New Year's Day once. For wakesurfing, I have neoprene booties. For wakeboarding, my closed toe slingshot RAD bindings provide plenty of insulation. Just don't take your boots off until you're back on the swim deck!!! And then a pair of neoprene gloves. I also have a neoprene cap that I've worn when the air temp is also in the 40's. But it makes me look like a cosmonaut! LOL.
|