Next up in our series of articles from NCW’s Becci is a story about surfing in the depths of winter. From a female perspective of course. Over to Becci.
I was dedicated to surfing from the get-go. As soon as I started, it ignited this love for surfing I’m sure many of you water babies understand. And surfing in Cornwall meant adapting to the seasons too. My first winter season in Cornwall taught me lessons about the conditions and temperatures I will never forget, and it also developed my passion for it. At one point I thought I might be a full on winter surf enthusiast, and I’m not writing the colder places off, but I don’t know if I’m as hardy as some of the other women that do it! You go girls! I am lucky enough now to have a small group of dedicated surfing women who surf all year round with me, so we can endure the cold together in winter and party wave to our heart’s content because of the less crowded conditions.
All your cold water surfing gear can be found here – https://www.northcoastwetsuits.co.uk/category/surfing-wetsuits-accessories/
We still see and read a lot more about surfing in warmer waters that require a summer wetsuit or even warmer waters where a bikini does the job. And that’s not surprising as it is more appealing. I noticed the lack of other women in the water during my first few seasons of winter surf and it was pretty lonely. I had the guys to go in with which was still great but I was definitely lacking in that female support. However, I have noticed the number of women in the sea slowly rising and more articles and Instagram posts about communities of women in the colder parts of the world, kitted head to toe in thick neoprene and surfing in spots with not a crowd in site. Maybe it’s the appeal of empty waves, but I also think it’s something to do with the rush cold water gives and having that tribe of women behind you. I guess it’s a version of cold-water therapy!
The conditions of winter swell are also a bit of a debate in the world of surf, whether it really is heavier and meaner than summer surf. The molecules in cold water are more tightly packed meaning it is slightly heavier if you fall and take a beating. But also because of the water temperature, it does take your breath away quicker so a hold down could feel longer than it really is too.
The waters surrounding Cornwall drop to around 7 degrees but some surf spots in Canada and Iceland drop to below -1degrees! For these colder areas you can now get battery powered heated wetsuits and rash vests, which sound like a luxury. But for those who live for cold water surf, they are a necessity. It’s so important to know your limit in the colder temperatures and to put your safety first. Nutrition plays a huge part in caring for your body when enduring the cold temperatures for a surf, but I think that’s another blog post right there!
It’s vital to make sure you’re prepared for your surf during the colder months, and I have listed a few tips below just to give a helping hand!
KIT : A 5mm thick wetsuit usually does the job in winter time in Cornwall, with good quality boots, gloves and a hood if it’s not already attached to your wetsuit. You can get hooded neoprene rash vests too if you have a hoodless suit, these are great as they give you an extra layer under your wetsuit for extra warmth. Boots and gloves are a must for me in the coldest months, and you can also get neoprene or merino boot and glove liners again for that extra layer.
1.5mm Neoprene Thermal Long Sleeve Rash Vest (unisex fit)
£35.95
Titanium 3mm Wetsuit Gloves with GBS seams
£25.95
BEFORE : Ideally get ready at home, if this is not possible and you have to get ready in the cold air, make sure you are rapped up and as warm as you can possibly get and have something to stand on whilst getting ready so your feet don’t touch the cold ground. Take a hot drink with you to sip whilst getting ready, you want to be warm inside and out! Hot water bottles are useful tools too, keep it in your layers of clothes against you and once you’ve got your wetsuit on you could even pop it in with you whilst you get the rest of your kit ready. Once you’re suited and booted have a good jump around, this is fun if you’re with your mates, you can make a game out of it!
AFTER : If you’re not lucky enough to shove on your changing robe and go straight home (and I must say if you’ve not got a changing robe for winter time THEY ARE LIFE SAVERS) you need to get out of your wetsuit and changed quickly. This is so you don’t feel the air chill for very long because that is the worst bit of winter surfing. Again use something to stand on like a neoprene mat/bath mat/ changing mat so your feet don’t touch the cold ground. Hug that hot water bottle if it still has some heat, and if it’s not too hot it’s great to tip over your hands and feet!
READ OF THE MONTH : Daughters of the Sea Magazine! https://www.daughtersofthesea.org/themagazine They’ve just released their first magazine inspired by water women of Wales and the growing number of women in cold water surf culture. The website also features great ocean inspired blogs and interviews with women who have a passion for the sea!
3 TIPS OF THE MONTH :
- Hot Water bottles are necessities
- Hot drink before/after or both!
- Be aware of how your body feels, don’t push it, the cold is not our friend!
Check out more from Becci below –