Champcrow,
this will be my first winter on the board too, but I have done plenty of paddling (mainly sea kayak) over past winters. I agree that a full wetty will get hot, I guess it depends on how much time you think you'll be spending in the water! As you get more experienced, falling in should become an occasional, or hopefully rare thing. The main thing is to make sure you don't get hypothermia if and when you do take a dip. I may try one of my old wetsuits that has a 'bib' top ie. no arms, only straps over the top of the shoulders. If that's too hot my strategy will be to be stay reasonably close to a change of spare clothes and a towel, which means the car. In other words, no trips out to the middle of the bay! (I'm on Port Phillip Bay). Another thing I'll try is to wear a kayaking style life jacket, which will keep me fairly warm, and have obvious benefits if I fall into really cold water.
It's all trial and error, I'll let you know what works best for me.

JUST GOT HOME FROM A 2HR SESH AT THE ALLEY

WE HAD OUR FIRST REAL COLD DAY UP HERE ON THE GOLDY, WATER WAS ONLY 22 DEGREES WIND WAS SW. I HAD TO PUT MY RASH SHIRT ON TO KEEP ME WARM.




WAVES WERE ONLY 1ft STILL HAD A BALL

MARTY

If you are paddling hard in flat water and conditions are calm and you are not falling in then any wet suit will be too warm. You can always jump in to cool off.

I find my feet get cold standing with them planted to the spot with cold water washing over them. Even light booties don't help. I think the standing constricts blood flow to the feet. I will try my winter surf booties and if they're no good then may consider thicker soled yachting booties.

If you are going to be plunging into the surf then a sealed seam wetsuit is the go. In Melbourne winter I use a 4/3 suit for surfing and kiteboarding and that is nice and toasty. I guess a 3/2 would be ok for paddling if you're not falling in too much.

A good hat makes a huge difference.

Try and buy a wetsuit at an end of season sale. They are generally $100 cheaper then. I use Rip Curl suits. They are are perfectly good suits but the best thing is my local shop sells them and they have lifetime warranties on the seams. You can basically get your suit reconditioned for free every few years. Last time I had a minor problem they replaced the whole top half of the suit with the latest fabric and stuff.

O'Neill suits are arguably the best on the market but they cost heaps.

WINDY MILLER said...

wind / air chill is going to be the biggest factor....

Only if you fall in......I've paddled almost daily through the last couple of Winters here in Melbourne and I find that you get way too hot in a wetsuit.

I bought some waterskiing wetsuit shorts and wore them under my boardies..and a wetsuit vest...and then a T shirt or a windcheater over the top.

My crocs on my feet were enough to keep my feet warm..and my alloy paddle was a bit cold on the hands at first..but it soon warmed up.

I bought a wetsuit material long sleeve top and wore it once or twice..Most of the time just the vest was enough.

Note...all this paddling was on flat water and the odd day in glassy tiny waves were there was no risk of falling in..but still did sometimes..and froze..

Real surf sup'ing down here would require a full wetsuit..I reckon a long leg and short sleeves would be the go.

Paddling really keeps you warm..much warmer than when you're in the water..imo..but then it also depends on the wind..if any..

DJ

speedos.

get your mum to line em with sheepskin if you're soft. wetsuits are for women.

Dunno about you guys but the thought of SUP'ing in a steamer is not for me .... gotta be a vest and boardies .....I wee too much on cold days so I need an exit for it otherwise I will have steamer legs full of it!!!!

you guys need to move to queensland , i went out 6am this morning in boardies.

Oliver..I don't think surf shops will have one..(long john=long legs and singlet style top)

Try dive shops..or Yatching shops...maybe even waterskiing shops...Maybe try Anchor Marine..Right next to SHQ.

DJ