cold water surfing

[surfwill38]

The water here in the winter is pretty damn cold, I think right now its at about mid 40s. I'm sure people on here surf or surfed in colder but I just had a question about how it affects other surfers. First I wil start with my gear, if u will. I am rockin a 4/3 billabong foil suit with the full back zipper, booties and gloves and a hood. But my hood is pretty old school and let's a lot of water in. When this happens I get the ice cream headache and I lose my breath. This to me is almost unbearable, as I also have asthma. I think my. Crappy suit may notbe the culprate but not sure. Any feedback is much appreciated

[Danjael]

Hey I just surfed through a little snow blizzard in the low 20's. But I have a 654 oneil psycho. Would never dream of going out in a 43. Its way, way to cold. And might be outright dangerous. My advice is if going that cold 40 is cold, pad up with winter gear. We all get that headache after a while though. good luck.

[Danjael]

Sorry that should read 35f not 20
I forgot to mention that the suit has a built in hood. I also use http://www.proplugs.com/ not sure why but somehow makes the washrough the hood more barable.

[surfwill38]

Yeah I think I gotta upgrade the armor, so to speak. Thanks for the help.

[RonG]

I have a Hyperflex 6/5/4, surfing 2-3 times a week in the US Northeast, and the water right now is in the low to mid 40's. The suit is amazing, I never even come close to feeling cold. The only parts of me that get cold eventually are my toes and fingertips because my 5mm gloves and boots are are not quite up to the job (generally after about 2 hours).

[surfwill38]

I have a Hyperflex 6/5/4, surfing 2-3 times a week in the US Northeast, and the water right now is in the low to mid 40's. The suit is amazing, I never even come close to feeling cold. The only parts of me that get cold eventually are my toes and fingertips because my 5mm gloves and boots are are not quite up to the job (generally after about 2 hours).

Does this suit have the "back zip" or neck entry with the attatched hood? I too am in the northeast of the US and as u know, its damn cold. Thanks for the help

[RonG]

I have a Hyperflex 6/5/4, surfing 2-3 times a week in the US Northeast, and the water right now is in the low to mid 40's. The suit is amazing, I never even come close to feeling cold. The only parts of me that get cold eventually are my toes and fingertips because my 5mm gloves and boots are are not quite up to the job (generally after about 2 hours).

Does this suit have the "back zip" or neck entry with the attatched hood? I too am in the northeast of the US and as u know, its damn cold. Thanks for the help

It's a front zip (neck entry) with attached hood.

I got a great deal on the suit back in early September but I resisted wearing it for a long time, sticking to my 3/2 West with a neo rashie underneath for as long as I could stand it. I thought the 6mm suit was going to restrict movement way too much, and was debating trying to exchange it. I finally gave in and tried it a few weeks ago, and can't believe how wrong I was. Yeah, it's thick and overall a bit heavy, but they designed it well and it's flexible in all right places. Getting it on and off is off course a bit of a pain, but worth it for the warmth and comfort. A lot easier to enjoy winter surfing when you're not constantly thinking about how cold you are

[dklay]

surfing 2-3 times a week in the US Northeast

Ron G - If you don't mind me asking... where are you surfing? I'm in Ipswich MA and usually go up to Jenness Beach in Rye NH. I'd love to find another local nutter to go out with in cold New England weather and water! I'm comfortable going out alone in the summer when the beach is packed, but off-season alone makes me a bit nervous when nobody else is out!

My fall season got cut short with a nasty hit to the chest and either bruised or broken ribs (never went to a doctor to find out but it took about 2 months to feel better and 3 to feel 100%) and the fact that I only had a 3/2 suit. I've just gotten a new 6/4 RipCurl suit and looking forward to getting an early start on spring surfing. I've got Patagonia booties & gloves too. Just trying on the 6/4 at home I'm realizing I'm going to do some more work on my upper body strength--- while this suit's very flexible, it definitely will take more effort to paddle than the 3/2!

[RonG]

surfing 2-3 times a week in the US Northeast

Ron G - If you don't mind me asking... where are you surfing? I'm in Ipswich MA and usually go up to Jenness Beach in Rye NH. I'd love to find another local nutter to go out with in cold New England weather and water! I'm comfortable going out alone in the summer when the beach is packed, but off-season alone makes me a bit nervous when nobody else is out!

My fall season got cut short with a nasty hit to the chest and either bruised or broken ribs (never went to a doctor to find out but it took about 2 months to feel better and 3 to feel 100%) and the fact that I only had a 3/2 suit. I've just gotten a new 6/4 RipCurl suit and looking forward to getting an early start on spring surfing. I've got Patagonia booties & gloves too. Just trying on the 6/4 at home I'm realizing I'm going to do some more work on my upper body strength--- while this suit's very flexible, it definitely will take more effort to paddle than the 3/2!

Alas, I'm on the Jersey shore. I have good friends up in Seabrook, but unfortunately they're not surfers

Most of my sessions are alone these days too, as in "only living thing on the beach". My approach is to be really conservative about the conditions unless I'm lucky enough to have company. I only go out on days where I'm not likely to get myself into too much trouble, which for me means "pretty damned small"

Sorry to hear about your fall season. Fall is a great time here because the weather and water are still warm but the tourists are gone

You're right about the effort required in the heavier suit, but it's great conditioning and you'll reap the benefits when it gets warm enough to start stripping the layers off again. Really the biggest pain about the 6/5 is putting it on and getting it off, but it's so comfortable it's well worth it.

[themathteacher]

Remind me not to complain about the 58 degrees we have to put up with in San Diego

[dklay]

Remind me not to complain about the 58 degrees we have to put up with in San Diego

You're making me jealous. At least New England beaches are pretty much deserted off season.

RonG: I TRY to be conservative as well.... the day I banged my chest it was a bit too big and too choppy and I made the mistake of going out anyway. Still learning my limits!

[RonG]

Remind me not to complain about the 58 degrees we have to put up with in San Diego

58 sounds pretty damned good right now. But it never really gets above the low 60's there does it? It's amazing how much of a seasonal range we get here because of the Gulf Stream. We can go down into the upper 30's in the dead of winter, but can easily get into the upper 70's in the summer.

RonG: I TRY to be conservative as well.... the day I banged my chest it was a bit too big and too choppy and I made the mistake of going out anyway. Still learning my limits!

Same here. I have a scar or bump to show for every time I've seriously misjudged the conditions vs. my abilities

[-Griffin-]

Remind me not to complain about the 58 degrees we have to put up with in San Diego

58 sounds pretty damned good right now. But it never really gets above the low 60's there does it?.

It generally hovers around 68-72 in San Diego during the summer. It will obviously vary slightly depending on the weather.

[surfwill38]

58 sounds like heaven to us easterners. I believe I would slap my own mother to make the water that warm right now

[Rickyroughneck]

58 sounds lovely, 46.4 here at the moment and still getting colder.

For all normal people who use centigrade, it is 8 and 14.4°C respectively.