So here is a bit of newb/kook question. How much colder will the water get between now and March. This is my first winter out, in fact my first time using a 5/4 and the only thing cold on me was my feet (crappy ripcurl 5mm boots). Other wise right up until I took a bad duck dive and got knocked around a bit and a bit flushed, I was surprisingly comfortable. I got a little leaking up the arms, and through the zipper but I'm thinking about getting a polyfleece to help out. Second question, I haven't been out since mid to late November. I'm by no means a fantastic sponger, but I felt like I could barely move out there today. Is this fairly typical for a two month lag and the combo of cold water and heavy rubber? How long does it take you guys to get back into the swing of things after a break and weather change? ~Rez
only a few degrees colder. what you feel now is pretty much how cold itll be for a month or two, until the air starts rising up again. as for your second question: yes generally 2 months out of the water plus the addition of ice cold water and more rubber can make you feel sluggish. other factors might have been at work as well (food, hydration), but yeah the time and cold can affect your movement. it doesnt take long to get back into it. sometimes it takes just a session for me, and sometimes it may take a few. ex: i surfed a lot before a big flat spell once (~1 month), and when i jumped back in it was colder and i needed more layers and it just took the session to get back in the groove
for me it usually takes the paddle out to get back into the paddling swing of things if we had a long flat spell. but after the paddle out and after a few waves under the belt im pretty much back to normal. but defiently the cold and food and your energy will affect how you perform in the conditions.
it wont get much colder if at all. if i drop out of cold water surfing i am back in by march and spend that month training and getting muscles loose. so by april i am back on it. wet suits r like ...... its just not the same.
Thats good news all around then,thanks folks. I felt pretty stupid floundering around out there today for an hour, just couldn't get any speed on my paddle, or power out of my kicks. Nice to know the body adjusts..maybe I'll just take myself for a swim this weekend to speed up the adjustment process. Just gotta get some thicker socks and will be good to go. Oh and Rich, I don't surf because I've got ****ty joints. All the popping up and down, and twisting would wreck me in no time. Not an option for me.
very helpful to the OP. thanks for contributing. also, making fun of what someone rides is very kook-like. to the OP: what everyone else said is spot on. it'll get maybe a couple degrees colder (nj was around 36 today). but not surfing for a couple months, the cold water, & extra rubber all will contribute to a more sluggish feeling when moving around in the lineup again. you'll get used to it again.
Yep... ave water temp for Mon. Co. in Jan and Feb is in the mid 30s. It hits 40 usually in March, once the sun starts to get stronger. Local temps and wind conditions and your proximity to inlets and bays will also have an effect.
During the flat spells I still go in, use some swim fins, just swim on the coast....I always go under, hold my breath for 20 seconds- 40 seconds- a minute and so forth, and practice breathing......on land, always do cardio, work on flexibility.......you wont have any problems getting in when its waist high, and the amazing 8 foot days.
Food A couple of you mentioned food playing a part in how you perform out there, any protips? My 5/4/3 Hyperflex AMP literally just arrived and I'm itching to get out there for my first winter session. Any recommended meals, and times to eat them?
Fruits and veggies.........I eat 6 bananas a day.....and stay on a good track of what I eat. Dont go pounding big macs, well before you do anything.........ban fast food from your life! I also used to drink coffee before I began my sessions........I love coffee, but whenever I drink it before something that gets the heart rate up, I get an anxiety feeling from the caffeine....so I stopped. So yeah, stick to eating healthy, and always have something for after wards, bananas are the best with potassium, and I have to give credit to Vita-Coco....finally a legit coconut water drink that is all natural....look for it, drink it, love it....
usually ill eat a bagel if its a dawnpatrol and if its after lunch ill get a good healthy sub sandwhich. but defiently eat some of those nature valley granola bars those work magic. and drink water or gatorade to stay hydrated.
Ugh, good gods, looks like I need to stay of the crap food, and smoking for that matter. At least there is someone else who had the thought of paddling around in the middle of winter just to keep in shape. Thanks again everyone, Rez
Warmer weather does and will make for a more comfortable session but has nothing to with water temps. Localized winds can have an affect, but really the gulf steam runs the show. Migrating further offshore in the winter months and vise versa in the spring and summer. This all varies though with some summers taking forever for the water to warm up or winters when the water stays in the low 40's.
Definitely get some 7 mil booties and polypro socks inside. Some of us wear underarmour or the like underneath as well. Really makes a difference. 5 mil gloves are also great. The coldest I've surfed is 34 water 35 air. and 20 mph off shore winds but makes for great surf. The ocean has changed a little over the years but I often find early March to have the coldest water. But iceberg time in February is the harshest 'cause of the air. Paddling when its flat is a great way to stay in shape during winter. When I lived in VB one winter I paddled a few miles everyday. By the time spring and summer came I was paddling circles around everyone. Multisporting is also helpful, yoga, super healthy food no garbage. Lots of oxygenated, electrolite water. Not just the day you surf but at least a liter a day. Amazon juice. Pom juice.
please - D E F I N I T E L Y ! I'm defiantly spelling that word. that is definitely how to spell it. where's that english teacher who's all about correcting us when we need him?
