"It's a passion of mine," he says.

He takes to the water almost every day, including Sunday outings with a group of kayaking guides.

"We do it to stay in shape and it's fun," Hilmer says.

But that's not the only perk of winter kayaking.

"This is the most gorgeous time of year," Hilmer says. "It's so beautiful and quiet."

The Cape is perfect for winter kayaking, Hilmer notes, because most bodies of water are shallow. He kayaks in areas that have a channel flow, like Pleasant Bay off Chatham.

"Sometimes I see seals floating by on ice chunks," he says.

Hilmer likes to go out early in the morning just when the birds are waking up. He also mountain bikes in the winter for crosstraining.

Winter adaptations
But coping with winter poses some challenges.

Precautions are necessary, Hilmer says adding that a rule of thumb for kayakers is not to go out alone. He always stays close to shore and doesn't paddle out in areas where he can't see the bottom. Sometimes he backtracks over the same course to be on the safe side. He avoids open bodies of water that have commercial boat traffic and areas locked by ice.

"I don't feel cold," says Hilmer who's always prepared for the weather. He wears a dry suit that's immersible in case he tips over. Two years ago he went overboard when he was practicing a move.

"I was probably in the water for 20 seconds," he recalls. "I never warmed up that entire day."

Dressed for fitness
Dressing right and having the necessary equipment for cold weather is the key for enjoying outdoor activities in the winter months.

Hilmer paddles while outfitted in two to three layers of clothing, including a black dry suit to absorb the heat of the sun, fleece shirt and pants, four-ply wet suit gloves, a wool hat and Eskimo boots. He has immersible equipment. He brings along a thermal blanket, and an emergency pack filled with fluids and chocolate bars for nourishment, a life jacket and a spare set of clothing.