Am I a massive woos, or do others really struggle with windsurfing in winter? (southern states obviously)

I went out on Saturday, but its was over 20 degrees. I went running today and my hands froze. Its not even winter. I don't think I can cope with the winter thing.

I think maybe the wetsuits was a waste of money.

Sailhack said..

I love windsurfing in winter! makes you feel alive. .. and makes a warm shower and can of rum the best thing in the world for a short period.

can't i feel alive another way? i like the rum idea though

redsurfbus said..

This is our current British spring/summer (not been this cold at this time of year for a long time, water is still cold. Had one day so far where I actually took the neoprene beany off the wetsuit zipcord.....it went back on for the next session :( )
www.windguru.cz/47889

Bugger

Winter can be awesome, especially if you catch one of those sunny days mid-week and take the day off.

Good wetsuit and booties are essential. A hat is good when the weather is bad. Never needed gloves.

To make extra nice, get a 5 litre water container. Fill it with *hot* water (from the tap not the kettle. Not too hot if you're going to use it within a couple of hours). Wrap it with your towel. The water will stay warm for 12 hours and be tepid 24 hours later.

After the session strip off to your speedos and wash yourself down with the hot water. It's not such a problem to do it in the wind because the warm water on your skin warms the wind. Dry yourself off with the warm towel. You can start the washing with the wettie pushed down to your waist but it's easier if you're standing in your grundies.

Once you're warm and clean and dry go and have a coffee and a muffin in a trendy cafe with a hot waitress ( or a pie in a not so trendy pie shop).

Were you going for the 1st world problems thread and missed?

I know it is a lot colder there ...... I find a 3x2 is great for winter but a helmet makes the difference on the colder days. Sputnik are you wearing anything on your head?

Yeah definitely anything on your head, as I said even a helmet is noticeable for keeping u warm, but a neoprene balaclava thing will make a massive diff

The right gear makes all the difference between cramping in half an hour and being able to stay out all day in winter without even feeling cold. Just what the right gear is, differs from person to person. I need everything covered, gloves, booties, neoprene beanie and a thick smooth skin wetsuit, plus a poly pro rashie, but for many a 2/3 steamer is enough.
I used to hate the cold so much that it had to be 40 degrees to get me in the water in summer but for windsurfing, all I need is 18 knots and I'll go regardless of how cold it is!