Cold Water Surfing Tips

Let’s face it — warm water is ideal for any surfer.  Unfortunately, many surf spots only have warmer water temps for a few months out of the year.  One good thing about the weather getting colder is that there are usually better waves in the fall and winter months, and most surf spots are less crowded than when it’s warmer.  The downside is that the water temps drop quickly so you need to adapt to the elements in order to be able to surf year-round.


I know many of you think we are crazy to get in the ocean when the water temps fall into the 30s and 40s and the air temps are about the same.  The desire to paddle out in near-freezing weather is the same reason surfers miss family birthdays, holiday gatherings, and will literally rearrange their lives to be near the ocean.

Surfing is a lifestyle and going for months without catching a wave is not an option.  Becoming a cold-water surfer doesn’t take much — you obviously need a thicker wetsuit, gloves, boots and hood, but you also need the right mindset.  A friend of mine once said that surfing in the winter is like a whole new hobby compared to surfing in the summer.

Here are a few tips to get you started surfing in the colder months:
 
1. Invest in a good wetsuit.  There are many different types of wetsuits on the market.  Each brand has different options to choose from, based on price and thickness.  As with most anything there are different levels of quality — good, better, best.  The best wetsuits will cost you more, but keep you warmer and last a lot longer than the less expensive ones.  The water temperature in which you will be surfing will determine what thickness of suit you need.  Depending on where you are, you may need several different wetsuits for different times of the year.

2. Boots, gloves and a hood — the thicker the better!  These come in different thicknesses like the wetsuits.  The thinner ones (3 mil) are great for surfing in the fall months, but if you want to go out in the ocean when the water is in the 30s, you will definitely need something thicker (5 or 7 mil).  Gloves also come in different styles.  I prefer gloves that fit like a real glove for dexterity purposes, while others prefer “mitten-type” gloves that are sometimes called “lobster-claw.”  It’s basically a personal preference.  Whatever you purchase, don’t make the mistake of buying too small or big.  They should be a little snug and awkward to put on — that is normal!



3. Never surf alone.  This is a good rule to follow any time of the year, but especially in the winter.  When it’s cold, there are fewer people on the beach and a lot fewer surfers in the water.  If you get hurt, you need someone there to help.  Even the best surfer should never paddle out by themselves.  Also, remember to bring your cell phone on the beach just in case.

4. When in doubt, don’t go out.  Know what you’re capable of.  You should never paddle out in conditions that you are unsure of, especially in the cold water.  Your reaction time is going to be slower due to the colder conditions and the added weight of your wetsuit.  You will not be able to stay out as long as you would like.  If you’re used to 2 – 3 hour surf sessions in the summer, you need to realize that you may only be able to last 30-60 minutes in the winter.  Some people also surf with a longer and/or thicker board in the winter due to the added weight from wetsuits and the increased difficulty with paddling.

5. Know what you are getting into.  Paddling on a surfboard is humbling enough for beginners in nice, warm conditions, but paddling out dressed in rubber is even more exhausting!  You may want to begin in small, clean conditions in order to get comfortable with your winter gear.  Know that when you go under, which you will, it will not be the most enjoyable experience.  In fact you will most likely get what feels like an “ice cream headache” without the ice cream!  It will subside quickly, but you must remember to relax and not panic — even if you take a few waves on the head as you get out to the line up.

6. Prepare yourself before you surf for after.  Park your car in direct sunlight. Find a place protected from the chilling wind.  Get dressed in the car with the heat on, or if you don’t have any stops to make, dress at home and drive in your wetsuit!  Bring a small cooler filled with warm water to rinse yourself when you get out of the water.  If you feel comfortable driving home in a wet wetsuit, put a lot of towels in the driver’s seat so you won’t soak your car and get undressed in your warm shower!

7. Learn when your body has had enough.  When it’s cold, you cannot surf as long as you would like to, even if the waves are great.  When I start feeling a chill, I know in a few more minutes I will begin to shiver.  This is when it’s time to take a wave into the beach because hypothermia is a serious medical condition that can come on quickly, especially when the water is in the 30′s or 40′s.

8. Stay in shape.  To be a good surfer you need continue your training throughout the winter months, especially when you can’t get out in the water as much as you want to.  Swimming is as close as you can get to paddling and will help build your endurance and confidence in the water.  Running, biking, and any other cardiovascular exercise at a higher intensity for 30-60 minutes a day will also help lengthen your surf sessions in any season.  Try to get in the water as often as you can because in order to become a better surfer you need to surf regularly!  After nearly three weeks out of the water, I surfed today and felt how much strength and endurance I lost in that short period of time.  If you’re wondering why you haven’t progressed in your surfing, but you’ve only been able to get out once or twice a month, that’s most likely the reason!

9. Plan a warm weather surfing vacation!  Nothing helps a surfer get through a cold winter more than traveling to a warmer climate.  I travel to Hawaii because I know I am guaranteed to have waves anytime I go, and plan my surf trips in an inexpensive way.  There are plenty of other surf destinations you can find at a reasonable price, but do your planning.  Make sure the waves are the type of waves you are comfortable in, or slightly out of your comfort zone.  If you prefer small, long boarding waves then you don’t want to book a vacation where the waves are steep, overhead barrels.




Just last week we had a day of fun, small waves with unusual warm air temps for December — it was actually the first day of winter!  We loaded up the kids to play on the beach and were able to surf with good friends all day long.  It felt like a summer afternoon at the beach (except for the ocean temperature hovering around 50 degrees).  Even though we had to wear our winter surfing gear, it was pure happiness for all of us with a day of much-needed play!

If surfing has become your lifestyle and you cannot imagine going a winter without catching a wave, it’s time to get comfortable in cold water.  People will think you are crazy for doing it, but that’s okay — only a surfer understands.  You will score fun, empty waves and keep yourself stoked until the weather warms up again.  Trust me, every time you go out you will catch at least one wave that makes it worth it!

Winter Surfing

Surfing is my passion. It’s what I live for, and I am a better wife, mother, friend, and person after I spend time in the ocean. If you know someone who surfs — woman or man –you know how much happier they are after a surf session. Most of the time it’s easy to get out there, and you just can‘t wait — warm, clear water combined with scorching hot summer weather makes it so inviting. If the temperature is right, all you need is a swimsuit, rash guard and sunscreen and you can stay out all day.


However, we live in a coastal area that gets colder weather beginning in November. Air temperatures begin falling, and water temps are not nearly as inviting. Winter makes it really difficult to get yourself stoked to go surfing. You can surf throughout the entire winter if you have the right apparel – wetsuit, gloves, boots and a hood. We often get better waves in the fall and winter months, so it’s worth getting your gear on to catch even a few good waves when most people wouldn’t consider going in the water. I believe it’s more about desire and attitude. Even on the worst day, you still can have a great session — as long as you don’t talk yourself out of it first!

A few weeks ago we had some fun waves rolling in with warmer than average air temperatures for this time of the year. My husband and I were able to get away to surf, but by the time we arrived at the beach, a cold front had moved through our area which made the temperatures drop below 50 degrees, and the wind picked up to over 20 mph. Our enthusiasm quickly diminished, especially when we crossed the dune and saw a good swell become less than inviting.

At that point I easily could have talked myself out of surfing or allowed my husband to convince me it really wasn’t worth it — as he decided to go back to work. Instead, I told myself that I would regret not going out, even if the conditions weren’t the best. After all, I had a sitter for my two boys and some much needed time to myself.
After squeezing into all of my wetsuit gear, I paddled out into a lineup of quite a few people. As I sat there listening to everyone complain about how bad it was, how cold they were or that the waves were better earlier, I decided to tune everyone out and just enjoy this time to myself. As a mother, I welcome and appreciate every free minute I get, and surfing is my favorite way to spend time without my two awesome little boys around.

After catching a few waves, most of the other surfers began leaving the water, and soon it was just one of my girlfriends and me left. Within seconds of the last person leaving the beach, the wind died down almost completely; the water glassed off and the waves coming in were perfect:
A-frame, chest high, peeling walls of water that every surfer dreams of surfing — and they were all ours! We had so much fun out there and stayed until the sun went down. I remember one particular wave that I am still smiling about every time I think about it! Truly a memorable day!

I share this story because so many of us find ourselves in daily situations where we discourage ourselves and others from experiencing great opportunities. It’s so easy to talk ourselves out of doing something challenging or to complain to others so they become discouraged. Often it takes more effort to talk ourselves into doing something that could be better for us such as exercising, eating well, getting more sleep, or learning a new sport. Was it worth going surfing that day when no one else seemed to think so? You bet it was, and I know I will do it again…all winter long!

We All Need to Play!

People often ask me how I am able to do so much — run, surf, teach surf lessons and play with my boys!  My answer is simple — the more active I am, the more I am able do and not get tired.  As winter approaches, I have to work harder to find ways to stay active in the colder weather, but know that out of necessity, I need to get outdoors every day.

Have you noticed that when you sit around all day, you feel very tired?  Our bodies want to move as much as they can.  They don’t like being sedentary, and they don‘t understand the issues with changing seasons.  The days that I am not as active, I can’t seem to find the energy or patience that I have on other days when I stay in motion.  Being active is like an addiction. Once you start moving, your body will want to move even more!

Many people suffer from depression during the colder months due to shorter days, lack of sunshine and just not doing as many outdoor activities as they do in warmer weather.  I know I get pretty moody if I am stuck in the house all day!  The same applies to our children as well.  They need to be active as much as possible throughout the day for their own mental well-being and focus, too.

As a parent, it is imperative to stay active to keep up with your children and to model a healthy lifestyle for them.  My grandmother always told me, “When your children are young, they will do as you say, but when they are old, they will do as you did.”  Don’t you want to be a great example for your children?  Teach them that being active is about having fun and should be a way of life. It isn’t about doing things that you dread or don’t look forward to.  It should be a priority each and every day — and doesn’t need to be something structured.

To be active on a daily basis, you need to find things that you enjoy doing.  Find activities that you look forward to so they become a priority over other things.  In our home, when the conditions get good for surfing, nothing else matters— and we all head to the beach.  If you like to run, bike, do yoga or walk, find a time every day to do that.  Our boys know that my day doesn’t begin until I go running, and before we get going on their homeschooling, they bike, surf, run or play a sports game that they enjoy.

Children are so impressionable, it’s important to get them into an active lifestyle as young  as possible.  I used to think that letting them play as much as I did would tire them out for nap time or bedtime.  This is not the case anymore!  I could not figure out why after playing at the beach all day, they were not tired when we returned home.  A friend said that since I keep them so active, they are similar to endurance athletes, and now they can keep going longer than I can!



If you already are an active person, you know what I am saying is true.  The more active things you do, the more you are able to do.

Here are some fun ways to get yourself and your children even more active — to get more energy.

• Make being active a priority EVERY day!  Find the time and stick with it – with no excuses.
• Do activities that you enjoy doing and that are fun.  I enjoy surfing, but also like to run or bike to get my day started.
• Try to exercise in the morning.  You will have more energy throughout the day and are more likely to get it done.  Same with your children — if they can get active a little before school, they should!
• Learn to say “NO.”  You do not have to be a super busy mom to be a good parent.  It’s okay to say no to others, even your children, if it takes time away from your own needs.  It’s not being selfish. It’s you just setting a good example–to say that you, too, are important.
• Encourage your children to go outside and play…and then go with them!  Let them be kids and play freely, unstructured without set rules.  A little imaginative play is very important, and many children do not know how to play anymore.
• When your young children are trying your patience, think about what they have done that day.  Did they get some activity?  Were they able to run and expend their energy?  If not, send them out to play.
• Training schedules are important, but they are not written in stone.  Rest days are important, but may not be necessary for all activities.  If today is your required rest day, but you feel like you want to do another activity, do it!  You need to listen to your body before all else. It may not need or want a break — or conditions may be perfect for a specific sport or activity!
• If you are feeling low on energy, just get up and do something.  I guarantee you will feel better and happier once you get going.
• Cold weather makes for a little more planning and maybe some warmer clothing, but it will be well worth it.

Remember, a happy mom and/or wife makes for a happy family!  You are important and since you do so much for others, you also need to do some things just for yourself, too!  It’s not selfish to want to go outside and play! You will be teaching your children a valuable lesson.  And they will be happier and healthier as well!  So get up…get out… and get moving! Your body will thank you for it. And since you will be happier, your family will thank you for it, too!