Summer surfing

[GowerCharger]

this summer has been ok so far, not many completely flat days and its been so warm ive been in shorts only for the last month at least (although that same warmth is a biatch when im at work, cant have it all ways)

[surferdude_scarborough]

this summers been fleshin rubbish up on the east coast so far, flat flat falt flat etc. ive been surfin on the east coast i think one day since march!!!

i do seem to remember a similar post to this last year but the other way round. someone down the southwest kind of way complaining about the flatness when it was good up here.

what goes around comes around i guess

[dougirwin13]

Summer? Means I head south for 30 to 60 minutes.

No biggie. Good vibe down Middelton Point anyway.

The worst part of summer is the flat spells.

-doug

[iomarti]

Summer here means I have to add at least 30 minutes on to every journey I make in my car.... grrr....Newquay in the rain and the summer holidays, so much fun...

[Patrick__69]

Thats why I like Canada never busy and if there are alot of people they will freeze within 30 mins because they dont have wetsuits

[drowningbitbybit]

Summer....Newquay...

:shudder:

[intenso]

I know these things are relative but when does it begin to pick up in Newquay?

I'm planning to get down there at the beginning of September what would be my chances of a bit of swell?

[drowningbitbybit]

I'm planning to get down there at the beginning of September what would be my chances of a bit of swell?

"Fair to middling"

You'd be unlucky if there was a proper long flat spell in september.... but it does happen...

By late september, the autumn swells are beginning to get going

[PapaW]

COmparied to last year I thingk this summers been xxxxx... I've got in only about 15times since June thats getting in for mostly worthwire conditions where as last year I was in atleast 4times a week on average....

And the last 3 summers Augaust has been tottaly flat bar a few odd days.... REally has shifted abotu this year with the flatness being spread out.. Kinda been week on week off but over all the condtitions have been xxxxx. :(

[IdRatherBeSurfing]

I've got in TWICE since June dude - dont complain

[Laguna]

I think its been an alright summer, there has only been one week where it has been flat. Other than that it has been around 3 foot average. Have had some nice 4-5ft days and some nice small 1-2ft clean days. Ive been lucky enough to go nearly everyday this summer. Weather has been warm too. My hands and from my neck up have been brown for the last 2 months due to wearing my wetsuit everyday in the sun.

[GowerCharger]

youre still wearing a wetsuit? i havent worn one in ages, its too warm in all that neoprene!

[IdRatherBeSurfing]

youre still wearing a wetsuit? i havent worn one in ages, its too warm in all that neoprene!

amen to that bro

[Laguna]

Ye ive noticed a few surfing in just boardies. Few out today in just boardies and rashvest. I tried it 2 weeks ago and felt alright, got a little cold after a while. I find that the wetsuit helps with paddling - you get more balance and can paddle quicker somehow.

Plus I somehow just get too cold , cant last the whole 3 odd hours in just shorts

[GowerCharger]

i find it more tiring paddling in a wetsuit tho, and much more restrictive when your riding.
Saying that im going to france tomorrow and you can guarantee there will be plenty of people the in fullsuits even tho the waters above 20 degrees (i reckon its just so they can show off the brand names on their suits)

Really not lookin forward to pulling that 5x3 back on next winter, its gonna be like learning all over again the first time

[Laguna]

I used my 5mm wetsuit one day a few weeks back, I forgot how much harder it really is. Made me wonder how I managed in the winter with the 5mm suit, hood, gloves, boots..etc
Paddling is sooooo much harder with it - really weighs you down

[north bank lass]

I couldn't be doing with a 5mm wetsuit, not even in the winter. I just find it so hard to manoeuvre in.

I've got a 3/2 which I find enough for both seasons, though I've just been wearing boardies and rash vest recently - got cut to bits though!

How do you find your gloves and boots? I'm thinking about getting some but haven't tried them before....do they stutter your paddling/balance at all?

[Laguna]

They weigh you down even more. Boots give you grip on your board and the gloves can help with paddling as they have a larger surface area to paddle with, but all that weight is annoying! Like I said , it makes paddling harder with all the extra weight

[GowerCharger]

you will need at least a 5x3 in winter, a 3x2 and no boots/gloves/hood is just not an option when theres snow on the ground and the puddles in the car park are solid ice. Boots are ok and definatly help on rocky breaks (eg langland) and when you have to walk a long way to the break (eg fall bay). Gloves arent much fun to put on and take off but they keep you hands warm (and help you paddle a bit faster if you get mitts). Hoods, i hate hoods, affect your balance and vision and restrict your head movement. Some milder winters its possible to get by without one but most years you will need one for those icy windy days, best to get one you can take on and off in the water so you can have it on for that first paddle out and then slide it off when you get out.

[Laguna]

no boots/gloves/hood is just not an option.

Waaaa?

Last winter was freezing. I could have never survived without my hood, boots and gloves.