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Sad but true: we are slowly having to say goodbye to the golden autumn and, for better or worse, ring in the winter. But that doesn't mean that the windsurfing gear has to be mothballed until spring. More and more windsurfers are taking to the water all year round. We'll show you what you need to bear in mind when windsurfing in winter!
Surf sessions in winter have their very own magic: the anticipation and excitement of getting out on the water; the light of the winter sun in combination with clouds, fog and reflections and the "afterglow" on the way home after the session. Whereas you used to be almost alone on the water between October and Easter, the car parks at the spots are now well filled even in the winter tyre season and you meet lots of people you know.
Nevertheless, anyone who goes out on the water in temperatures below around ten degrees should be aware of the particular challenges and dangers of winter surfing and bear a few things in mind. Because safety always comes first! Minor injuries or equipment problems, which in the worst case can lead to the premature end of a session in summer, can quickly become dangerous in winter!
But you don't have to worry about your health. "In principle, you can surf almost all year round," says Dr Wolfgang Klauß in the surf interview. The most important thing is a good wetsuit.
Preparation for winter surfing
Material
If you go out on the water in winter, you should check your equipment twice as thoroughly as usual beforehand:
- Are all ropes in top condition and not chafed or torn?
- Is the chord at the base of the mast free of cracks?
- Does the mast have no recognisable cracks or damage?
- Are the Finns firmly in the pits?
- Is the neo tight and the harness OK?
When choosing the material, you should find a happy medium: Material that is too small and frequent bobbing will mean that you have to launch more often and therefore cool down more quickly. If, on the other hand, you go out on the water fully rigged, you increase the risk of material breakage and injury, and overpowered riding also costs more energy.
The lower the temperatures, the less flexible the materials of the sail, mast, board etc. become. When it gets towards freezing point, thin layers of ice can also form on the boom and on the sail.
Equipment
If you go windsurfing in winter, you shouldn't get cold while setting up. That's why it's best to pack snowboard trousers, a thick jacket, shoes and a hat and wear them right from the start. Make sure you're cosy and warm in the car and that you're at the right temperature when you arrive at the spot. A pot of hot tea before, during and after the session is also recommended.
After setting up, do a short warm-up round to get your muscles, tendons and ligaments up to operating temperature. You should definitely take the time for a few push-ups, a little running, jumping or squats! If you're travelling to the spot by van, it's best to get changed inside, otherwise get dressed in the lee and use a large jacket or poncho to avoid getting cold! A buoyancy aid is also worth considering for winter sessions, as it increases safety and reduces the risk of injury.
Which wetsuit for surfing in winter?
In addition to the pure air and water temperatures, it is above all the wind chill that causes the body to cool down. A wet wetsuit or body cools down even faster in the wind. This is why smooth-skin neoprene is preferable to a laminated suit, the surface of which always retains a little water.
The warmest option is a dry suit, under which you can also wear a thick jumper. However, these are quite bulky and freedom of movement is extremely restricted, so we recommend a thick wet suit. A 6mm suit with a bonnet is ideal, as this will give you optimum protection and minimise the amount of water that gets in. Alternatively, a 5 mm suit and a warm undersuit are also possible. These are available in different versions, from tank tops to shorties with bonnets. Even a normal wetsuit will be noticeably warmer, and often comes with an insulating layer.
Steffi Wahl, who is certainly one of the most experienced winter surfers in Germany, says the following about winter wetsuits: "As soon as I get cold, I don't feel like surfing at all, so I want to have the warmest wetsuit I can get. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm done even when it's below zero, the conditions and the light are unique in winter." Steffi's tip: "Winter wetsuits should always fit snugly when you first try them on, as they widen a little over time. If there is a bit of air at the beginning, the water will run into the neo after a few sessions and the protection against the cold won't be optimal."
Neoprene shoes are mandatory in winter. These should fit well so that, on the one hand, not too much water can penetrate and the foot can slip in them, but on the other hand, the blood flow is also not blocked.
Opinions differ when it comes to gloves. While some swear by mittens with open palms, others favour thin, completely closed finger gloves. The thicker the glove, the larger the grip around the fork. Which version you choose is ultimately a matter of taste. Warm surfing gloves can also be made with home remedies! Here too, protection from the icy wind is particularly important.
The right spots for winter surfing
When choosing a spot for your winter session, safety first! Always choose a spot where you can ride safely and where the waves and currents are manageable for your riding ability. In winter, for example, it's better to go to Heidkate in the Baltic Sea than to St. Peter in rough wave conditions.
The wind should also be blowing onshore or cross-shore so that you can get back to land more easily in an emergency. Offshore winds are an absolute no-go! A large standing area ensures that you can get back to shore on foot if in doubt and get back on the board quickly after a fall.
This is how you should behave on the water
When windsurfing in winter, make sure you don't get too cold. If you regularly come ashore briefly to warm up quickly and regain feeling in your hands, you will have more fun for longer. It makes no sense to extend the session until the last moment and then come off the water completely exhausted. It's better to realistically assess how long your energy reserves will last and how warm you still are, and then finish in good time. Muscles tire much faster in winter, and a wash cycle can quickly become uncomfortable if you don't have any reserves of strength.
You should also take shorter strokes so that you are not too far away from the shore in case of doubt. Ideally, you should coordinate with others to look out for each other. On the water, you should also keep an eye on the other windsurfers and kiters: Is someone in the water for longer? Is someone having problems launching? It's better to pass by once too often and find out if everything is OK!
You're also unlikely to learn a new move during a real winter session. Frequent falls and restarts cost energy and cool the body down - so it's better to enjoy the feeling that you've wrested another session out of winter while cruising at a relaxed pace!
Important tips for winter surfing:
- Don't dress like you want to go windsurfing. Imagine you're going skiing instead. With thick snow trousers and ski underwear, you get out with a delicate film of sweat on the spot. If you're already shivering when you're setting up, you might as well not bother.
- Only choose safe spots with (diagonal) onshore winds. Offshore winds are an absolute no-go in winter. Standing areas where you can simply run back in an emergency, for example if your equipment breaks, are ideal.
- Buy a wetsuit suitable for winter, good shoes, a hat and gloves
- Warm up beforehand: Run along the beach, do push-ups or whatever. The main thing is that you are properly warmed up before your first contact with the water.
- Never surf alone in winter. Check your equipment carefully for damage beforehand.
- Only take short strokes outside so that you have a short way back in an emergency.
- You might want to wait until it's a bit warmer again before doing your first double loop.
- Take a short break after the first few strokes and circle your arms to get the blood flowing again. Then it (perhaps) won't hurt quite as much afterwards.
- A helmet and impact protection waistcoat are certainly not a disadvantage on excursions into the waves.
