Surfing in the UK winter can be a real hit or miss affair. Scoring a decent corduroy day, with sunny blue skies and mild thermometer readings can make it bearable. Fleetingly though it’ll be back to cracking the ice before riding and enduring Baltic cold days with howling onshores. So how to beat the winter surfing blues?
The right surfing gear.
Being a wetsuit company you’d expect NCW to mention them. And rightly so, as a good quality, well fitting wetsuit not only makes surfing more comfortable it could also save your life. In winter hypothermia’s a real risk so a top drawer wetsuit will help prevent this. Forget your summer 3/2mm. You’ll need a 5/4mm steamer and potentially some layering such as thermal rash vest.
Osprey Origin Mens 5/4 cold water back zip wetsuit
£69.95 – £89.95
Osprey Origin Ladies 5/4 cold water back zip wetsuit – SMALL & SMALL TALL ONLY
Original price was: £89.95.£66.95Current price is: £66.95.
3mm neoprene hooded SUP/windsurf coat/jacket – wear on land or in the water!
£119.95
Boots, gloves and hood will also help keep you nice and toasty so don’t scrimp here. And for surfers who suffer with super cold extremities have a look at NCW’s Merino Wool wetsuit boot and glove liners. An extra layer of defense against the cold we know plenty of riders who swear by them.
NCW 5mm Lined Warm Wetsuit Boots
£28.95
Titanium 3mm Wetsuit Gloves with GBS seams
£25.95
Essential winter surfing accessories.
Being able to get changed comfortably in windswept beach car parks is key to enjoying your surfing sessions. Ending up cold and wet before you’ve even got in won’t do much for motivation. Therefore items like change robes and change mats shouldn’t be forgotten.
Surfers 5mm Neoprene Changing Mat
£11.99
NCW wetsuit carry bag & changing mat (bag mat)
£15.95
Not everyone has a high top van to get changed inside. A change robe and change mat can be lifesavers when it comes to shedding clothes and shoes. Plus, post-surf, getting straight into a cosy robe is worth its weight in gold. Then having a place to dump your sodden gear, such as a waterproof wetsuit bucket, will keep all your dry belongings moisture free the whole way home.
NORTHCORE Beach Basha Pro, two layer, four seasons all weather changing robe ( NOCO24IBK )
£129.95
Surflogic waterproof dry-bucket 50L for wet wetsuit transport black, olive, blue, silver/grey, coral, turquoise
£46.95
Bleubird Nordic change robe
£140.00
NCW winter clothing.
Fending off Jack Frost doesn’t start and end with the right type of water gear. Starting your surfing day all warm and dry will see you frothing for a sesh. One of NCW’s Sherpa Fleece lined bobble hats and hoodies are perfect for those pre and post-surfing toast ups.
NCW Sherpa fleece beanie / bobble hat . Lots of colours available click for full range
£13.99
NCW Sherpa hoodie
£54.95
There’s nothing better than jumping from a cosy change robe into a toasty set of about town threads. And the best part is NCW clothing fits many different situations. From the beach to the pub you’ll be all set with these garments in your wardrobe.
NCW Twister Pom Pom beanie hat.
£14.99
NCW Freestyle beanie hat.
£14.99
Other tips for avoiding winter’s surfing blues.
We appreciate there are many surfers who sit it out during the coldest months. And in some ways we don’t blame them. There are a few we know who focus on other activities, away from the water, like skateboarding and biking. Taking a breather from surfing can often reset the head and get riders in the mind for spring when it’ll be wave shredding green lights again.
Atom 41″ Drop Through longboard skateboard.
£115.00
Perhaps an overseas surf trip is the medicine you need. We appreciate that COVID times make surf travel much trickier than ever. But there are some (warmer) locations open for business. Check the specifics of how to travel, what will be required of you and those you travel with, and hopefully, you’ll get to enjoy some winter surfing sunny fun.
If all else fails then there’s always the pub with a roaring log fire!
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