4 tips with hacks for your cold-water surfing

We have some tips and hacks for cold-water surfing that will significantly enhance your winter SUPing, kite-, wake-, or skimboarding. They are applicable to any sport you are passionate about.

Just because it’s the cold season doesn’t mean you need to store your surfing gear and forget about your water sports enthusiasm. All you need is good preparation, reliable gear, and a buddy who is just as enthusiastic as you are.

1. If you want to stay warm - gear up

Ensure you choose the right thickness (4mm and up) and size for your wetsuit. For instance, the O’Neill Psycho Tech has a solid thickness of 6mm and an inbuilt hood. Don’t forget the accessories like neoprene gloves, boots, and extra neoprene wear. When the cold hits your body, it automatically goes into ‘survival mode,’ keeping the blood circulating primarily in your core area. This can cause your hands and legs to cool off to the point of numbing, which you definitely won’t like when actually using them.

Want this set? It’s available for both women and men.

• Hack: Besides investing in good gear, you can also prepare an emergency hot-water bottle to bring to the shore. If you start freezing, just get out and pour some warm water into your wetsuit.

2. Keep yourself safe

Safety should be a priority in cold water! Choose a board with more volume or a slightly larger/broader one to make staying afloat easier. A leash (and a life vest) is a good addition if you don’t have one already and your sport allows it. You probably know that cold water is heavier. Combine that with slower reactions due to ice-cream headaches or a thicker wetsuit, and you’ve got a quick recipe for an accident.

• Hack: Research the place you are heading out to beforehand. Check weather forecasts and reviews to know what to expect. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard by the conditions when you’re already in deep waters.

3. Warm your body up on the shore

It’s essential to get your heart pumping and blood flowing before entering the water. A few active stretches and Jumping Jacks on the shore can work wonders. Also, remember to keep moving constantly in the water.

• Hack: Keep your socks on while putting on your wetsuit and during warm-up - they make it easier to get your legs in and keep your feet warm until you enter the water. While stretching, you can wear your neoprene boots over them to retain heat as long as possible. Remove them just before entering the water.

4. Get a surf buddy to share your enthusiasm

Finding a partner to share your passion makes the cold sessions more fun and safer. Since many beaches are not lifeguarded in the off-season, it’s crucial not to be alone in the wild. Whether you’re SUPing on a lake or kitesurfing in the ocean, it’s always better to have two heads thinking (especially when you get a brain freeze).

• Hack: Create your own traditions and rituals, especially for getting used to the cold water. Take occasional small trips to the beach for cold dips and warm up with hot chocolate afterward. You’ll both build up to 50% better tolerance for the cold if you acclimate your body to it.