Preparation is key – revving up for a sweet autumn of waves ‘n’ wind

Now summer’s over…only joking! Well, maybe half joking. With kids back to school imminently the end of summer holidays has definitely been signalled. There’ll still be a few sunny, warm days to enjoy, we’re sure, but it’s also a period of high anticipation for water lovers. Why? Because autumn is the best time to be an ocean aficionado.

For the last few months the North Atlantic has been lying dormant (give or take the odd swirl of low pressure here and there). Waves have been fun, winds have been predominantly at the lighter end of the spectrum and people have been topping up their Vitamin D levels in abundance. But now Mother Nature is starting to awake from her slumber…

Autumn sees water temperatures remain all time and with still warm sunny spells on offer it’s a good time to be immersed in the ocean. Solid swells will begin to make themselves known moving forwards and the odd gale or two will swing in. From your perspective it’s time to switch things back on and prepare.

As the leaves begin to turn brown you’ll want your kit all tip top and ship shape. Therefore it’s a good idea to haul everything out of the van/garage and give it a once over and hose down. Surfboards should ideally have a brand new coat of wax added. While windsurf equipment should be checked for wear and tear on downhauls/outhauls and board/sail repairs carried out.

But don’t forget your wetsuit! While the last couple of months have featured minimal neoprene any ocean rider will be in need of thicker rubber as we head towards winter. If your wetty’s been in a pile on the floor then hang it out to air/dry and check for any holes and/or nicks. These should be fixed right away. Make sure zippers are corrosion free and double check it still fits! A summer of BBQs and real ale does take its toll…

It could be your wetsuit (or wetsuits) are in need of an upgrade. Rubber accessories also – think booties, gloves and hood. NCW offer a whole raft of different neoprene choices to keep you snug and toasty right through until next summer. If a purchase isn’t in mind then why not consider NCW’s wetsuit MOT? More details here – www.northcoastwetsuits.co.uk/new/neoprene-care-ncw-wetsuit-mot-option/

 

The next few weeks can be the best season for surfers and windsurfers. If we end up with a bumper autumn then we’ll all be talking about it for years to come – fingers crossed. So prepare and here’s to those classic days lying ahead. Salute!