Oh God it was cold.

[BaNZ]

Bite the bullet and went to Cromer on Sunday. Air and water was between 6-5c. Sunny with gentle wind.

I brought two wetsuit, summer and winter. 4/3 inside and 3/2 outside. Probably overstretched my summer wetsuit now.

My gloves
https://www.surfdome.com/alder_wetsuits ... 3mm-170514

My boots
https://www.surfdome.com/quiksilver_wet ... ack-129073

Hoodie is gskin 2m neoprene.

My body was fine as there wasn't much wind. But when I first got in the water ... I screamed. My feet was in pain. I had to take them out the water and lie on my board. It was unbelieveably cold. Therefore I assume I need a better boots? All the 5mm+ ones are like £45+. That is really expensive. Can someone recommend me a warmer and affordable boots? Preferably from surfdome as they have been treating me very well with the returns and wrong size.

[drowningbitbybit]

But when I first got in the water ... I screamed.

Oh, that sounds like so not fun! Hope you got a few waves to make it worthwhile!

[oldmansurfer]

I have no help for you but think if I were there I would be spending a lot more money on wetsuits than surfboards

[dtc]

I have no help for you but think if I were there I would be spending a lot more money on wetsuits than surfboards

Nuh, I would move to Hawaii. Probably cheaper!

[oldmansurfer]

I have no help for you but think if I were there I would be spending a lot more money on wetsuits than surfboards

Nuh, I would move to Hawaii. Probably cheaper!

I am wearing my wetsuit in my avatar pic. All you really need to stay warm in Hawaii ocean is to eat a little more than what you need....then you have a nice layer of adipose tissue that will keep you warm. But really if you are going to sit waiting for surf and stay out for long hours then a light wetsuit might help....However look at the number of boards I own, that is 6 and look at number of wetsuits I own which is zero. I used to have one for scuba diving but it fell apart. However if I lived in some cold place I am sure it would be wetsuits 6 and boards 1. But Hawaii cheaper? I don't think so.... maybe you don't have to worry about heating or cooling if your house is well designed to make use of the tradewinds but everything is more expensive here. But the waves are still free.....so far......any more of you come over here and we may start charging

[drowningbitbybit]

Not to be smug or to make you feel bad BaNZ, but this afternoon I have mild sunstroke after surfing for three hours in 27ºC water and 31ºC air temp.

[benjl]

I also got burnt yesterday despite being overcast and wearing spf50 sunblock.. haha. The downside is that my wetsuit stops at my hands so now I have bad tan lines with pale forearms and brown hands..

[BaNZ]

Life is so unfair....

but you guys have sharks and we don't.

[faithinwater]

Sorry not very helpful but had to ask, is it really worth surfing Cromer? I have my boyfriend telling me he'd rather drive all the way to Cornwall for a day than drive the one hour trip to Cromer (we're from Cambridge). I keep checking the report anyway but it looks very inconsistent...

[BaNZ]

It's more than 1 hour, I'm from cambridge too. It takes me 1.45 hour at least with no traffic.

I would drive to Cornwall, but it is really too far.

Cromer isn't brilliant, the good days are incredibly rare. Hence why I check the forecast every week. When the interval goes above 7 seconds and under 10mph wind. Then it is really good. I only went once in the last 3 month.

[waikikikichan]

My boots are connected to my Drysuit. Some of the Japan wetsuit manufacturers are also combining the gloves into the suit. So you only get a little bit wet around the neck

[BaNZ]

Sounds good but must be incredibly hard to get out of it?

[beachbumuk]

Hey BaNZ, I surf the South Coast a lot, Brighton/Worthing/The Witterings.
As a watersports instructor I am in and out of the water all year round and i PROMISE you, that investing money in good kit is ALWAYS worth it, you just have to look after it.

Spend £45 this year, make sure they are clean and dry when they go into storage over the summer and they will last you 5 years Plus EASY! £10 a year for warm feet is good in my books!

Get a good set of boots with a strap around the ankle and one across the top of the foot. Make sure you have a good quality winter suit...mine is 4.5/4/3 over the head closure and make sure its all tight so the boots fit snugly under the ankles.

If you require more warmth, get a thermal rash-vest to go under, and if you're still cold after that, chances are its windchill so wear a waterproof over the top. I have a Buffalo mountain shirt special 6 if I am going to be on the water inactive for long periods of time.

[BaNZ]

There are waves in the South Coast?!?! I thought it is flat all year round heheh.

I bought a 4/3 Billabong wetsuit, it is good. But I never thought that I would be that afraid of cold! I'm a wimp!

Looks like I might have to consider getting thermal rash vest and some good boots.

[greg2935]

I have a 43 which is not warm enough for deep dark winter. The coldest part of the year I have a quality thermal rashvest with integrated hood. This is great as it minimises cold water flushes, (water tends to flush between the rashvest and wetsuit rather than your back), and increases the thermal rating of the wetsuit significantly. You need good quality 5mm boots; personally I find the velcro straps over the front of the foot enough. Also have 3-4mm gloves. That has been enough for all year around the south west.

Definitely buying the best you can afford is excellent advice.

Greg