Cold water wipeouts worse than warm water?

[oldmansurfer]

I just heard this theory that cold water wipeouts or poundings are worse than warm water because H2O when it is cold is more viscous. Sounds reasonable....My experience with cold water poundings is limited to one day bodysurfing Zuma beach California (without a wetsuit). I didn't notice much but then my body was numb most of the time. What do you all think? Maybe explains why I don't mind taking pounding? LOL well????

[OlegLupusov]

In LA, winter wipe outs are just bigger:)
Even if equal in size waves, there could be other variables: more tired because of cold water (it takes body some to warm itself), risk of cramps (recently, got in both calves; even a mediocre wipe out was perceived as life threatening)

[billie_morini]

Ol' Man,
Zuma ain't cold! Ha, ha, you've got to go to Santa Cruz and northwards for cold California water. By the time you get up to the Lost Coast and Humboldt, you are beginning to talk cold. As far as cold water wipe outs go, "No! They are no worse than any other wipe out." One reason I liked surfing in NorCAL was the cold water running down your back reminded me that I was alive! I hope more surfers will think this way about it.
billie

[oldmansurfer]

It was in November and they said the water is usually warmer in the summer. LOL but I could only stay out about 45 minutes till I needed to go in for fear of hypothermia. I am so lucky to live where the water is always comfortable

[billie_morini]

You my friend, Ol' Man, indeed are fortunate to live & surf where the sea is terminally as warm as bath water. This is a true blessing.

[pmcaero]

more viscous water shouldn't "deform" as much as less viscous water when pushed around by gravity and swell, so wipeouts shouldn't be gnarlier. Basically it will have fewer eddies and move more uniformly.

[BaNZ]

It does feel worse for me because I tense up as I embrace the cold water entering my wetsuit. In cold water, I just want to resurface asap if I wipeout so I panic.

[oldmansurfer]

You my friend, Ol' Man, indeed are fortunate to live & surf where the sea is terminally as warm as bath water. This is a true blessing.

It's not quite bath water but a little warmer than cold water from the faucet, however cold water from the faucet over here is much warmer also than cold water from the faucet elsewhere