I thought it might be a parody of the "anyone paddle in a snowstorm" thread, but I'm glad you are serious. I have been caught in rainstorms, and have deliberately gone out when heavy rain was certain to occur, and always enjoyed it. When a storm arrives on big water, the ever-loudening "hiss" of rain on the water as the storm approaches is amazing. I love how rain makes it possible to see evidence of even the tinyest currents at the watrer's surface. It's also amazing how everything beomes "distant" except what's in your immediate surroundings during a real downpour. If I didn't NEED to be on the water and it was going to rain all day, I might make other plans, but in any other situation, rain generally turns out to be no big deal at worst, and amazing at best.
Absolutely Power boaters, touristy paddlers, and most everyone else is gone. Very quiet and serene unless the wind is howling, at which time I may reassess.
always… it’s rained here for the last 2 summers. isn’t that why they have dry tops , sprayskirts etc… so you can still get out there. i just figure that these individuals are really not into it that’s all. oh well, more wide open space for those of us who are.
once in gear It’s no issue, even kinda neat the way it changes sound and textures. Plus I am going to be getting wet soon enough anyway. But I do not enjoy dealing with the boat/gear before hand. One day I’ll have a big enough garage…
Most beautiful moment My most beautiful moment paddling occured on a nearby lake in the summer. On the way back to the boat launch we go caught in a rain. All the boats were gone and we were all alone floating on this body of water which was so still and straight and dotted by raindrops that it almost looked like an asphalt parking lot in the rain. Very surreal.