Is It Too Hot to Paddleboard or Kayak?

That blazing summer sun might make the water look inviting, but paddle sports in extreme heat can turn dangerous fast. Here's when to stay on shore and when it's safe to launch.

The Magic Numbers

Once the heat index hits 90°F, your body starts struggling. Above 100°F means you're gambling with heat exhaustion. The problem with paddling is you can't escape—you're stuck on open water with zero shade, working hard, and probably not drinking enough water.

Water temperature matters too. Anything above 85°F stops cooling you down effectively. That refreshing dip becomes a warm bath that does nothing for your core temperature. Lakes in the South routinely hit 90°F by August. That's not relief—that's soup.

The combo that kills: air temp above 95°F, water temp above 80°F, and humidity above 60%. Your body literally can't cool itself in these conditions, even if you're dumping water on your head every five minutes.