Surfing Waves

I don't even know what I'm thinking when I bought my 6/4 wetsuit. I don't think I'm able to surf in the winter...

Contemplating on whether I should wear my wetsuit to work since there is no dress code. I could just change when I get there...

I have very bad/sensitive skin so I can't wear any wooly stuff or things like scarf as it irritates my skin.... however wetsuits are perfectly fine...

What are your sea temps where you are?

FWIW Banz, NYC this time of year is nothing compared to the first three weeks of January. The best is yet to come!

I almost talked myself out of a surf today (33 degree sea temp, minus 1 degree air temp), I have a 4/3 suit.

It was an awesome surf, perfect waves - all to myself, just a couple beach walkers in parkas.

Wetsuits are freakin' magic - I wasn't cold at all. A little chilly in the parking lot afterwards, but nothing outrageous.

So worth it.

JJGreenberg wrote:What are your sea temps where you are?

AIR TEMP: 28° F
WATER TEMP: 45-48° F

It will definitely feel warmer in the water, like having a warm bath.

Big H wrote:FWIW Banz, NYC this time of year is nothing compared to the first three weeks of January. The best is yet to come!

I don't understand why humanity built one of the biggest city in the world in such a harsh environment. Summer is scorching hot and icky. Winter is freezing cold. Why the hell would anyone want to live in a city like this.

It's cold here too. It must have gotten down to around 62 degrees last night. My wife got out the room heaters But daytime is ok and the water is always pretty good temperature. OMG and there is a swell running right now double overhead long walls and here i am at work about to start my long day

JJGreenberg wrote:I almost talked myself out of a surf today (33 degree sea temp, minus 1 degree air temp), I have a 4/3 suit.

You are an iron man, my friend! With a 4/3 in 55 degree water, I get cold unless I'm paddling. A 5/4 helps me stay out as long as I want.

BaNZ wrote:Contemplating on whether I should wear my wetsuit to work since there is no dress code.

Damn, that's cold.. And here I was complaining about the winter we had (on dawn the temperatures would be around 7-9ºC/~45ºF, not sure about the water temp).

I used to have only an old wetsuit which was only the upper half and not even sure how many milimeters it was (maybe 2). I now have a 3/2 wetsuit which holds up pretty well for the temperatures we get here. Problem is I get tired much faster wearing a john than when I only need my surfing trunks.. Much better than the other option of freezing until I have cramps though

We're getting a blast of Arctic air this week. At least it's offshore. The sun was out which feels good on a black wetsuit. Instead on sitting on my board waiting for a set I lay on it and sun myself like an iguana on a rock.

Heres a few pics from yesterday:

Fresh snow on the mountains...





...and the path to the beach - looks almost summery, doesn't it? It's pretty bitter cold though. Usually this time of year is rainy and above freezing.

It was snowing here in Hawaii too http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Mauna-Kea/webcams/latest

every winter the skin on my hands gets so dry it cracks and bleeds.

no excuses
6mm is plenty warm. It must have a built-in hood which you can cinch tight and hardly any water gets in. 5mm booties and gloves and you're set.

for me, the hardest part is changing in the car, but even that acquires a homey quality when I get in and fire up the heat to the max

Alas, been flat for a couple of days.
Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 15 degrees F or something like that, and windy, in THAT I would not go even if the waves were perfect.

BaNZ wrote:I don't understand why humanity built one of the biggest city in the world in such a harsh environment. Summer is scorching hot and icky. Winter is freezing cold. Why the hell would anyone want to live in a city like this.

It's a great place to anchor a ship and drink some tea.

JJ, those photos looks amazing. You're so lucky living in a place like that. Then I look at your location, it must be freezing up there.

pmcaero wrote:for me, the hardest part is changing in the car, but even that acquires a homey quality when I get in and fire up the heat to the max

I change in the public toilet by the beach, don't have a car yet. It is horrible... not that it is dirty, but it is very well ventilated...

Tofino is usually the warmest spot in Canada, normal winter temps are usually around 43 degrees, and rainy. Winter surf can be big and messy because we are in the generator. Its consistent though, and there is almost always somewhere with a wave year round.

This year has been unusually cold

It is really scenic, those pics are from my drive to the beach. However, Logging is pretty heavy here and the cuts are out of control. Starting to see more and more bits of plastic on the timeline too. Even somewhat remote places like this are affected by plastic debris floating around the sea. We find a lot of stuff from Japan.

Water here in morocco is 66 f, not sure how you guys survive in climates that cold, I feel bad

Yesterday here......


....Merry Christmas....

BaNZ wrote:
I change in the public toilet by the beach, don't have a car yet. It is horrible... not that it is dirty, but it is very well ventilated...

do you take the train to the beach?

Whoa Big H - that looks like a dream

JJGreenberg wrote:Whoa Big H - that looks like a dream

Thanks for reminding me not to take it for granted.........

This is at Kugenuma break 3 days ago. I was 1 mile north at Kamakura that day. About 9 C. 48 F. I was using a 4/3mm but with a head cap because my ears get cold.

photo from Starboard http://starb.on.coocan.jp/daily/daily0.html