Learn How to Surf in Cold Water
23 August, 2016
The warm weather doesn’t stay that long in some of the best surfing spots and surfers can only dream of having an endless summer especially if they don’t want to brave the cold waters. You might think that learning how to surf in the cold waters can be hard because of the unimaginable temperature. Honestly, yes it will be. It will not be as simple as grabbing your board after looking out of the window.
Surfing in the cold weather requires you to be PREPARED. Surfers clad in thick wetsuits, hoods, booties and gloves are a normal site when you’re going to go out surfing in the cold waters. Most of the surfing spots are not easily accessible in the cold weather that is why everyone is advised to be at their most protective clothing. No one wants you to be freezing while surfing the water out in cold. Here are some tips that might help you out:
- Dress like the locals. Spot local surfers or ask them for the best type of wetsuit to wear if you want to go surfing. The locals know best, they can give you proper advice about the water’s temperature. Stop being too frugal; get a proper wetsuit that will keep you warm. Pay close attention to the sizing and fit of your wetsuit. Make sure that it is not too tight to restrict the much needed good blood flow that will keep you warm. The water can be your ruthless adversary during the winter.
- Root vegetables help. Eating root vegetables a few hours before heading out into the waters helps in keeping you warm. Easily digestible food like sweet potatoes is a good source of warmth when surfing.
- Do your stretches. Stimulate your blood flow by doing a round of stretching before surfing. A few minutes spent on a good stretching will generate enough inner body heat that will aid you once you’re out in the water. Stretching your muscles keeps your core warm. It will also ease your muscles and prepare it for a good round of surfing.
- Keep moving. Once you’re out in the water don’t forget to keep moving. Paddle around a few times in between sets. Increasing your exposure in the waters will allow your body temperature to slowly adapt.
- Changing into something warm. After you surf in the cold, changing back into your dry clothes can be the most challenging part. A helpful technique is to fill a big water bottle with hot water before you leave the house. The time you spent in the water will be more than enough for this water to cool down into a more manageable temperature. You can rinse the sand and saltwater off using this water before donning on your wool jumpers and thick jackets.
Surfing in the cold waters is also a great surfing experience for every surfer. The water temperature might not be inviting but doing so will help you improve your surfing skills because the weather brings with it some challenging waves. Encourage yourself to become a better surfer and learn more surfing tips from Surf and Sun.
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