Kayak Winterization and Winter Storage in Virginia

NOAA's 1991-2020 median first 32°F night is November 4 at Richmond and November 23 at Norfolk; winterize by October 21, two weeks ahead of the earlier date. By our kayak rule Richmond stays paddling through October and Norfolk through November, then 4 months of drysuit paddling follow at Richmond. 0 Virginia listings offer indoor or climate-controlled space.

1 at Richmond (November to March) and 0 at Norfolk, plus 4 and 4 months of drysuit paddling. Those racked months hold 3.7 of the 8.8 inches of snow Richmond averages a year (42%), which is the load on a cover or carport roof. At Richmond a kayak is paddling from April to October (7 months), against 8 at Norfolk.

Of 18 live Virginia listings, 0 list indoor space and 0 climate-controlled units, against 0 outdoor and 0 covered. By city: Richmond (10 listed, 0 indoor) and Virginia Beach (8 listed, 0 indoor). No Virginia city lists an indoor kayak space yet. Ask whether indoor means heated; listings span 2 cities in all.

At Richmond, 2 months average a low at or below 32°F: 1 racked and 1 drysuit paddling or paddling by our kayak rule. Richmond logs 73.5 nights at or below 32°F and 0.2 at or below 0°F a year; January, the coldest month, averages 28.8°F and is racked for a kayak. Drain or re-protect the kayak after any outing in those 1 month.

After the last frost. The median last 32°F night is April 3 at Richmond and March 17 at Norfolk; the last 28°F hard freeze comes around March 22 and March 4. Our rule makes April the first month paddling at Richmond and April at Norfolk. That month Richmond averages a 46.4°F low and a 70.4°F high. Reverse each winterization step first.

Virginia kayak & canoe storage listings span 2 cities, led by Richmond (10 listed) and Virginia Beach (8 listed). Statewide, 0 list outdoor, 0 covered and 0 indoor or climate-controlled spaces. Compare the cities nearest you before November 4.