cold water surfing

[Buttertoes]

Thought I'd try rewording the title to see if I can draw out any comments

I wonder if anyone can comment on safety and concerns regarding winter surfing in the northern atlantic. The ocean drops to about 2 celcius in February and the local hardcores are out there in 6-5-4 suits, hoods gloves and boots and have told me they aren't cold. I have heard though of deaths among winter surfers.

I don't want to lose the conditioning I've gained since this spring and would rather not lock up the board for the winter months if I don't have to. If you're suited up right, not going alone, and aren't tackling waves beyond your abilities is winter surfing dangerous? If there's little to worry about I may start saving my pennies for a winter suit and start harping on my compatriots to give it a chance

[Buttertoes]

and I thought I'd bump it up so it gets noticed

[Rickyroughneck]

Wear ear-plugs.


Out of curiosity, the 2 degrees C is air temp, not water right?

[billie_morini]

If you're suited up right, not going alone, and aren't tackling waves beyond your abilities, then winter surfing is not dangerous. I've even gone alone when it was very cold. There is little to worry about, so start saving your pennies for a winter wetsuit.

[surf patrol]

Just make sure you don't stay in too long. Once you find it hard to close your hands quickly, and can't feel your feet, it's time to head in.

[Buttertoes]

Thanks for your comments! Ricky, the lowest annual sea temperature is in the -1 to 2 degree C range (water temp). the highest it ever gets is 18-19 which is almost too warm for my 4-3. Ear plugs is an interesting idea- would you need those if you were wearing a hood?
I think I'll put on my pestering gloves and start a winter wetsuit piggybank I have enough sense not to tackle conditions beyond my abilities.
Here's a link to a documentary on winter surfing at one of the places we visit (in the summer/fall). I found this while searching for info on cold water surfing (presents some mixed opinions on comfort and safety, but is fun to watch)
Surely nobody would be out there if it weren't worth it... I'll have to try to meet some of these icicles and chat them up
http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2010/09/wi ... rfing.html
BTW, hurricane Irene is passing tonight. They are expecting 14 foot breaks out there tomorrow. Should be a good show

[Buttertoes]

"post-tropical storm Irene" that is, I guess

[Rickyroughneck]

Thanks for your comments! Ricky, the lowest annual sea temperature is in the -1 to 2 degree C range (water temp). the highest it ever gets is 18-19 which is almost too warm for my 4-3. Ear plugs is an interesting idea- would you need those if you were wearing a hood?
I think I'll put on my pestering gloves and start a winter wetsuit piggybank I have enough sense not to tackle conditions beyond my abilities.
Here's a link to a documentary on winter surfing at one of the places we visit (in the summer/fall). I found this while searching for info on cold water surfing (presents some mixed opinions on comfort and safety, but is fun to watch)
Surely nobody would be out there if it weren't worth it... I'll have to try to meet some of these icicles and chat them up
http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2010/09/wi ... rfing.html
BTW, hurricane Irene is passing tonight. They are expecting 14 foot breaks out there tomorrow. Should be a good show

14 foot breaks.. aha, that is huge! The drop would be like jumping off a building lol.


1-2 degrees water temperature is seriously cold though. West coast UK gets down to 7 degrees, which is pretty horrid when it flushes my hood, even with full wetsuit I only get about 45 mins max water time. That said I am a skinny xxxxx so I imagine I lose heat faster than most people.

You will definitely need a 6/5/4 wetsuit with hood, 5mm gloves (joined finger are better for paddling) and 5mm boots. I would consider wearing a thermal rash-vest underneath as well.

If your hood flushes a lot then I would wear ear-plugs as well, water getting into your ears is bad as it causes bony growths called surfers ear.

[Buttertoes]

Surfers ear is something I've only just heard of. I'll see what I can get for that. Surely don't want that to happen.

I don't have a hood yet; I'm hoping to accumulate things for comfort with time. I wonder if anyone has any experience with drysuits? I haven't seen any used around here but if they are worth it I might consider one...
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/surfdry

Darn responsibility (work) kept me from seeing the storm surge but I heard it was pretty good. Hoping conditions are good (beginner-good of course) when we get out later this week! Can't wait

[beachbreaksurfschool]

Surfing all year round is the only way to improve your surfing bro, instead of watching dvd's or others surfing through winter months get suited and booted and get out there and be stoked all year round

[IB_Surfer]

Go with what the loacal wear, if they say a 6 - 5 - 4 then try that. For sure start off warm and cool it if too much.

Around her it only gets down to 13C at the coldest. One thing I tried a couple of years ago and has stayed with me is using thermal rashguards. I can get away with a 3/2 and a thermal if the sun is out and not too windy, with ear plugs.

Also, my ripcurl Fbomb with the warmth lining is great, I have both a 3/2 and a 4/3 for winter, but again at arou 12c - 13c degrees

[Buttertoes]

Well I asked the shop to order a 654 xcel xzip for me but my size is back ordered until march. Pretty disappointed but it looks like this winter is out (unless I go for cheap or too expensive). I feel my fitness and abilities slipping away! The cold and early darkness are making me even more jealous of you in warmer spots. Might have to move

[IB_Surfer]

then try the thermal rashguard with your 4/3, see if that's enough

[RonG]

Our water temperatures in NJ, USA have dropped to the low-to-mid 50's (12c - 13c), but I'm still getting mileage out of my 3/2 suit by wearing a 1mm rashguard underneath, and just adding booties. With the sun shining and without a lot of wind, I'm very comfortable. No gloves or hood yet, though the gloves will come out soon.

I do have a 6/5 suit but don't want to put that thing on until it gets *really* cold. I know people who never put on anything heavier than a 4/3, and by layering beneath it surf just fine down in water temperatures below 40f.

[Buttertoes]

Thanks for the tips, I'm encouraged to hear you guys have had success with layering, I will definitely keep it in mind. The other detail I didn't mention is I'm waiting for my friends back to recover from an injury, so we are hopeful we will get out some more before it gets really cold. Looks like we are down to 9 now but we started this spring in 7 so there's still time yet

[tony g]

If your hood flushes a lot then I would wear ear-plugs as well, water getting into your ears is bad as it causes bony growths called surfers ear.

I would take the advice above and get some ear plugs for that cold of water. Surfers ear is real. We deal with it a lot up here in Oregon with our cold water. I have surfers ear, and had to have the bony growths in my ears surgically removed with a micro chiseling. It was not fun. Check out Docs Proplugs. They allow you to hear fairly well, and still help to keep your ears warm.

[surfmom68]

I reckon the thought of dipping in the cold is worse than the actual dipping in the cold.
Got very nippy last year on the south coast wih water temp at 4c and outside temp at -4c. Got through wearing a old cskins on the verge of decomposing with thermal rashie and invested in toasty 7mm boots, 5mm mitts and the loathsome hood. Popped mini gel hand warmer thingies into the gloves before leaving the house and removed them pre surf!!!. Made sure I got out as hands and feet started to go numb and wrapped up all my clothes in a hot water bottle.

[surf patrol]

and wrapped up all my clothes in a hot water bottle.

What a good idea.

[surf patrol]

it’s little crazy surfing into cold water. I think you should invest in a good wetsuit.Wear Boots, gloves and a hood, thicker but batter.

[Buttertoes]

I figured this would be a good point to update this thread- I bought a 5-4-3 drylock, 8mm infiniti boots and mitts and I was out several times every month this winter. The water dipped to 1 degree at the coldest. My gear was so comfortable I still can't believe it! I never had to leave early because I was getting chilled, and the hood fit so well I didn't need earplugs. A lesson I learned was to lay a garbage bag on your car seat and drive home in your suit on very cold days. Change at home in the shower. It was a great being out there in the snow with a few beach walkers and sometimes empty water with very nice conditions. My friend I surf with has had no luck finding a well fitting winter suit. I'm glad to have kept at it all winter but am really looking forward to our beach trips again