One of the beautiful, but cold days of winter in Cornwall
We get a lot of calls and e-mails, generally asking….”How cold is it going to be??” ”Can we surf in winter?” ” “How do you stay warm when its freezing out there?”……to help you all out and give you some advise from the guys and girls who know it all, we’ll be bringing you a weekly surfing hints and tips blog post….and here’s our first!
Around the world, surfing is generally thought of as a warm water sport with people often neglecting to spare a thought for their cool water cousins. Little do they realise, that whilst they battle it out for waves in their boardies, you’re much more likely to score uncrowed perfection whilst wearing a bit of rubber!
With our frigid winter waters in the UK, we have a surprising number of dedicated surfers……. and how do they do it?!
WHAT TO EAT:
Sound like something your mother would say, but grab yourself a good breakfast (porridge or similar normally does the trick). It warms you from the inside out, and its slow release energy means you’ll stay warmer and surf for longer. Heading for an afternoon one? Hit up a heart stew or a soup.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Don’t just run down to do your surf check in you’re boardies. Wrap up warm! A pair of thermals may look a little weird, but they do the job! If you live near a beach, stick you’re wetsuit on before you leave home. It will save you changing in a windy, muddy carpark! And if the surf is pumping, you’re straight in there! Take coat or a warm jumper to stick on post surf!
WHAT WETSUIT?! :
Here’s where most of you go wrong. A winter suit is for winter and a summer suit is for summer. Don’t cheap out and have one suit for year round - it just won’t do the job!
Summer in the UK requires a 3/2mm Full Length Summer Suit. On the warm day’s, or if you ride a longboard you may get away with a short arm or short leg. A summer suit will generally last you from about May until the end of October.
Winter in the UK gets a little chilly…around 6 degrees C at its coldest. You’ll need the full gear if you’re wanting to surf in those temperatures. A winter suits is generally 5/3mm, though you can get them in 6/4mm if you really feel the cold. You’ll also need some boots and gloves, and a hood if you want to keep those ice cream headaches at bay! Between November and April you’ll be needing a winter suit.
After all, no one will want to surf with you if you’re always moaning about how cold it is!
BUYING A WETSUIT:
Go and try one on….a cheaper good fitting wetsuit will keep you warmer than a top of the range baggy wetsuit. All makes of suit vary in size and fit, so you will find that certain brands may fit your body shape better than others. Go to a good surf shop and try on a few. You’re not committed to buying from them just because you’ve tried one on! Once you’ve found one thats a good fit, have a look around. You’ll find some good offers on the web. Buying in advance is always a good thing to do, as summer ends you’ll find some good summer suits on sale, and in the sping you’ll get some cheap deals on winter suits.
Make sure it’s tight ( not so tight you can’t lift your arms above your head), but it should fit like a second skin. Any baggy bits you’ll be cold!
A decent wetsuit will last you a long time if you look after it, so don’t be tight…get your wallet out!
WARM UP OR WIMP OUT:
Ok, you don’t have to do your full yoga routine, noone wants to see that!…a simple jog down to the waters edge will get your blood pumping. Do a couple simple stretches to get the blood flowing through your muscles. You’ll perform better this way, and won’t cause yourself an injury. Cold water causes your muscles to contract, making the perfect environment for a pulled groin or worse!
DON’T BE A 5 MINUTE WONDER!
Don’t just wimp out because you got a a full body flush or ice cream headache….we know it hurts, and makes you wanna cry. It doesn’t last long and once you get used to the cold you’ll be fine. You’ll regret getting out when you’re sat in the car watching your mates. If you can still move you’re fingers and you’re speech isn’t slurred after a good session , you got out to early!
KEEP MOVIN’:
Don’t just sit in the line up, with you’re hands tucked under you’re armpits. Paddle around, stay on the peak. By keeping moving, you’ll increase your surf time and catch a few more waves……you may even improve your surfing!
GOING HOME:
When you get home, have a warm shower a hot drink and get on some warm clothes. Don’t sit down for too long or you won’t get up for a while. And don’t go to sleep or you’ll be doomed for the remainder of the day!!
