ODP Attire: Style and Substance

There is a Norwegian saying, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing.” In Outdoor Pursuits, a lot of work is done to help new students understand how to avoid poor clothing choices. In very general terms, avoid cotton, and dress in layers. Wool and synthetic fibers have the property of drying from the inside to the outside, wicking moisture away from the skin and allowing a thin layer of warm air to be trapped near the body to help keep one warm. Layers allow one to add or subtract to adjust for changing circumstances. ODP veterans Jacob M and Teagan W went to extraordinary lengths to help model proper dress by visiting the local thrift shop and purchasing inexpensive synthetic articles of clothing for our recent first kayak paddle on Mill Bay. Rookie members of the ODP group were awestruck by how comfortable these veterans were on the water in their superior clothing choices. At the halfway point of our paddle, Jacob was beginning to overheat, and as he shed one layer, new student Tasmin W remarked “he’s actually steaming.” While Jacob choice to think that this was a compliment on his dashing appearance, most of us thought that it was just a literal observation. ;-) Mr. Norman wishes to thanks these ODP veterans for their commitment to leading through example.