I'd love to sail in just boardies and a harness but commonsense dictates otherwise:

1. This time of year in the south of WA a steamer is a given.

2. Booties are also but then after wearing them for a while you get used to the extra traction so they become the norm.

3. After a couple of spectacular stacks a few years ago I thought a helmet prudent, plus other guys were wearing them so I wouldn't look too out of place.

4. Saw someone in one of those Pryde bouyancy vests last year and after he had told me the ease of water starts in the chop I bought one, and it's great, makes water starts easy especially when the tank is low on fuel but you want to sail just a bit longer.

5. After yesterdays session in strong winds I had bleeding blisters on my thumbs (I'm a softcock I know but they still hurt) so I bought some padded cycling gloves today.

I have more windsurfing apparrel than I do gear. It takes me longer to get changed than it does to fkn rig up!!!!!(even though I do it driving to the spot) I like to keep things simple but what do you ditch?

Ive got about the same amount of gear as you.The helmet is great to keep your head warm in winter.
Years ago before I started wearing a buoyancy vest I also wore a wetsuit vest over my steamer & socks in my booties in midwinter..daggy as ..but id still gasp from the cold when I fell in..thats in Lake Macquarie early Spring B cold! 14degrees?..?
Still maybe Im a whimp as Vic & Tassie would be worse!

Only ever boardies, except when I was down Burrum Qld earlier in the year where I wore my kayak vest to compete.

You guys are soft!

I'd wear a pair of HTFU budgie-smugglers all year round here in Vic, but I don't want to scare the tourists away! That's the only reason I wear a wetty & helmet...nothing to do with the sub-zero temp....

(also, hail on bare skin isn't recommended)

firiebob said...

sick_em_rex said...

firiebob said...

Only ever boardies, except when I was down Burrum Qld earlier in the year where I wore my kayak vest to compete.

Chuck 'Firiebob' Norris

I'm in FNQ Rexie, never cold enough for anything but boardies but I did forget to mention 6 months a year wearing stinger suits with boaries over the top but then I'm out numbered by teabaggers so have to fit in

Your sailing with teabaggers? you never told us that shame shame shame

Who are teabaggers? Is that the same as blue rinse or is it another name for kitesurfers..

Lots of laughs!

firiebob said...

sick_em_rex said...

firiebob said...

Only ever boardies, except when I was down Burrum Qld earlier in the year where I wore my kayak vest to compete.

Chuck 'Firiebob' Norris

I'm in FNQ Rexie, never cold enough for anything but boardies but I did forget to mention 6 months a year wearing stinger suits with boaries over the top but then I'm out numbered by teabaggers so have to fit in

kinda looks like something outta mad max with a hint of dominatrix. that stinger suit is a sight to behold

Troppo said...

sick_em_rex said...

firiebob said...

Only ever boardies, except when I was down Burrum Qld earlier in the year where I wore my kayak vest to compete.

Chuck 'Firiebob' Norris

he only ever used to wear budgies and a seat harness. more and more people started coming to the beach and he had to cover up.