Someone earlier mentioned ear plugs. Plus one to that. The only long term issues I have experienced with year-round surfing in NJ for over 15 years are with my ears. Not just infections but cartilage issues as well. Plus there's nothing better than a post COLD water session boner to bring the one-eyed monster back to life. Get that turtle head out as soon as you can!!!!
Get a big terry cloth robe with a hood. Easy to change under and takes a little bite out of the chilly air. Plus no embarrassing dropped towels exposing the post cold water dunking of the private bits. I think there are surfing specific products out there but probably cost a few more $$'s
On occasion, Ive stayed out too long and gotten the shakes. This is anoying and can last up to 1 hr even with the heater full blast. The only thing that shortens the shaking spell for me is jogging or exercise to bring up the body temp faster. Best to avoid the shivering. The longest I've been able to stay out in winter MA is 1.5-2 hrs comfortably.
x2 on these recommendations. I messed around for a number of years with other brands, and also Xcel boots and gloves that weren't Drylock models (didn't want to spend the $$). Always had cold hands and feet. Then I bit the bullet and spent the cash. The Drylock design keeps so much water out...I usually have sweaty hands now! (I have 5mm gloves and a pair of mitts for when the water gets <40). And I have the round-toe 5mm Drylock boots. The split-toe design didn't work for me (cold big toe). I have a backup pair of 7mm Drylock boots that I pair with the mitts on those brutal days when you just have to get in the water. I know some guys have had issues with Xcel durability, and also Xcel "funk." Mine have been as durable as any other brands I've used. And I use a boot dryer which dries things out in 3-4 hours. No funk.
il give u a little advice.first buy 2 suits.that is a must if u plan to surf a few times a day.u dont want to put an icey suit on after ur warmed up.2nd the first thing u do when u get in the water is piss in your suit.trust me,it helps a lot!guys been surfing in the winter since the 50s,this is nothing new.i need a new suit myself,if anyone is selling a medium,send me a message.i personally hate surfing in the winter,due to the cold,but the beaches are great!alotta people dont know this,but john john florence is originally from ocean grove,nj.his mom hated surfing cold shytty waves so they packed up and moved to oahu..and look at him now!!!!!once again kiddies,travel,travel,travel!!pro surfing isnt for everyone,and definitly not for me.surfing is only a hobby,some its a way of life..not for me..and i surf better than half u kooks on here
I am pretty stoked I just ordered the XCEL 6/5/4 Infiniti X-Zip 2 hooded wetsuit from WM. I have been working out and tried on my hyperflex flow 6/5/4 and it was tight and decided to go for the new XCEL in a size up. WM is nuts I got the suit for $199 and regular price is $350, some sites $400+. Does anyone have experience with the thick infiniti xzip 2 that could post a review? I am going to try selling my hyperflex for around $125 it has only been used twice last winter and worked well just too small for me now.
I've been surfing winters in NJ for 20 plus years now and I disagree with some of the points above about peeing in the suit and pouring warm water in the suit etc. I could be wrong and this is a good point of discussion, but here's my reasoning. Back when suits were really much leakier and seams weren't sealed as well, you regularly got flushed and you relied on having a layer of water (either pee or ocean water than eventually got warmed by your body heat) to keep you warm. You were going to get water in there anyway, so it made sense to have warm water or pee in there. In the past ten years or so, however, suits have advanced so much (no back zippers, sealed seams, etc) that you can actually stay almost dry. I find I stay warmer longer by having a really well sealed suit and avoiding getting flushed, along with a polypro layer underneath to insulate. When I do pee in the suit, it feels warm for about 5 mins, but then the pee cools down and I'm colder than if I had not allowed any water in the suit. Also, the pee doesn't leak out of the new sealed suits, so it's way grosser than it used to be. At any rate, I am able to surf waaaay longer and stay warm waaay longer than I could back in the day so I know something's working. Curious as to what people think
Heres something no one else has mentioned. If you can steal one of those trays from a fast food place(taco bell, etc). Its way more enjoyable to stand on that tray as opposed to the cold ground when your changing. Def bring hot water jugs for post session changing too. If you have one of those trays it fills the tray to keep your toes warm too
Do they say what temperature will destroy the glue? It sounds like a valid point but I've always showered with my wetsuits, 3/2 and 5/4 (both excels), and never had any issues with the glue deteriorating. My 3/2 actually lasted the better part of 7 years, and if it wasn't for the fact that it's a small and I'm not, it would probably still be alive. I could see how a hot tub, with water temps over 100F, could damage the glue. A hot shower I guess could potentially too, so it's probably good advice to keep the water a little cooler when washing off the suit. However, I don't see many alternatives to rinsing off a wetsuit in the middle of winter. Do people really hose them off outside? Before they've showered and are still freezing? Or after a warm shower when feeling is just returning to your toes and the idea of anything wet or cold is miserable? Personally, I've found this method works best...
years ago when you stay out too long, you will not be able to operate your key for your car door or even open your house door... frozen hands
First off I don't have to endure the type of cold you guys do up in the NE although it's still pretty cold on the coldest days. The care instructions always say only to rinse with cool water. I dump warm water from my hot tank on my head/body after I pull the top off my suit down. Then I put on my beanie & jacket/sweatshirt, wrap a towell around my waist and get out of the suit and into pants. I rinse my suit out with cold water in a rubbermaid tub back at the house after I've warmed up with a shower if needed.
+1. i keep one of those small square carpet samples in the truck to change on when it gets really cold.
I should have said more but didn't want to ramble on. I'd only recommend it if your in between sizes with height in one size range and weight in another range. I normally go the smaller one with the logic that a suit can stretch a couple inches length wise for my height. For my winter suit I went bigger so i could peel it off and get the hell in the car. Getting flushed isn't nearly as bad a problem for me as the ice cream headaches anyway.
Right, Right..........Your suit should be skin tight when you put it on. It'll loosen up when it gets wet. Leave your socks on when getting into it for an easier entry.
Agreed with all of you. I didn't meant to post such bad advice to generically "BUY A BIGGER SUIT FOR WINTER!" The xcel infinity drylock is an exercise to climb out of though. Since my weight is right on the cusp of 2XL and 3XL with height way at the top of the 3XL, I go for the 3XL so i don't have to struggle too much getting it on and off. Yeah I take a little more flushing for it. It's the sacrifice I chose. A2Tall, I think has a build as tall and slimmer than me... I wonder how he sizes his suit in winter when flushing and changing both suck extra.
I can't wait to be in a hooded suit surfing the best winter has to offer either alone or with the small group of friends I have that think there is something amazing about being ABLE to surf all winter.
I surf Fortunes Rock in Maine all the time. I agree with other posts. Get an Xcel Drylock 6/5/4 and some 5mm gloves and 7mm boots. Also, that tip for waxing the rails is spot on. I would also suggest getting some under armor boxers. Board shorts will bunch up and be super uncomfortable. If I stay at a buddies house close to the beach we just wear our suits to and from the house. If I'm making a day trip and have to head back to Boston, then I experience the coldest 5 minutes of my life trying to get the suit off. That is the other thing, might want to make a few dry runs getting that 6/5/4 center step suit off. Getting out of one of those things would give Houdini a hard time. Other than that enjoy the winter breaks.
RIer--I tried to get though last winter with a billabong 5/4/3 and drylock 7 mil boat and gloves. It wasnt even a really cold winter and I got hypothermic. It sucked and I went out and bought a 6/5/4 at the end of the winter season.
Just got the excel on whiskey M last week. Overall a great fit 6/5 xltall for $199 you can't beat that! But man it is a ***** getting off and the flap in the back is hard to get straightened out by yourself if it is folded over. But I think overall , I will be very happy come January in Dirty Jersey! Thanks for the tip dude now I need some 7 mill booties and gloves any suggestions.
