Has anybody surfing in the dead of winter in the Northeast (or anywhere) ever had a problem with frostbite? I'm not worried about any place on my body covered by neoprene, but I'm kind of scared to go on a day when its 15 degrees and 40 degree water. Should I worry about my face getting frostbite? If so, what are some methods you guys use to prevent frostbite/ stay warm in general? Thanks.
I have surfed in weather colder ( water 35F, 10F air temp) than what you specify with no problems. However, I only stay in the water for 90 minutes or so. When windy, it does make it harder.
The skin starts becoming at risk for frost bite when the temperatures start hitting -10 degrees fahrenheit. Obviously surfing in the winter with the wind chills and cold water temperatures could accelerate this, but what I would say would be use your judgement. If it starts becoming unbearable just call it a day.
Never had a problem.... It's harder to get motivated that's about it. If your concerned- just don't stay out long. Remember the coldest is when your walking off the beach and the offshore wind is nailing you in the face... My buddy use to use Vaseline on the face and he would always say it helped... I never tried it... Always thought I would wipe my face then my hands would start to slip...
Surf with a higher intensity spend less time sitting waiting , catch more waves in a shorty time period. Oh yeah keep jugs of hot water in your car so you can do two or three 45 min. sessions
Put Vaseline on your junk. You'll stay a lot warmer, and it feels like you're getting some love at the same time.
Seen Rob Kelly and others use a neoprene ski mask type of thing for the really frigid days...sounds like a better option than Vaseline... Never really had the need though...I'd imagine it's a necessity up north or in the lakes...
I got frostbite on my toes 2 years ago ice climbing and its never really gone away and I always have to keep an eye on it. I'll die before I stop surfing in winter so now I just bring a gallon of boiled water with me. Mix it with cool water in another bottle to make it just a little warmer them piss. Pour it in your suit, boots and gloves. Get cold and repeat. Let's me have comfy 4 hour winter sessions now with no worrying about making my toes worse. The face is hard to frostbite. There's a lot of blood in there moving around.
So as much as I enjoy the suit pee- I have a question for yous guys: Do you think peeing in your suit actually makes you colder in the long run?? Sure- the momentary joy and warmth of the pee is nice- but I always seem to get colder quicker... So I now try to avoid it when in the 5mil boots and gloves. It doesn't matter in a 3/2 since it doesn't get stuck inside as easy. What do you guys think??
I pretty much only pee in my 3/2 or spring suite, then I can flush. I try to never pee in my cold water suite, then, like Walking said, gets cold and then you're just sitting out there in a condom with cold pi$$ in it.
This makes sense, but I never really thought of it that way. In fact, on days when it's in the single digits or even negatives my face/nose is usually the only spot i worry about. Never had an issue but deffinitly had it cross my mind. Just the other day I realized if I pull the chin of my hood up over my nose on the walk back to the car it makes my nose feel like it WONT fall off.
