10 Tips for Brrr-aving the Chill!

High Pressure is Here! The Sun is Shining… but it is still chilly, especially that wind – and the sea temperature, even on the Sunny South Coast, is still only 9.4C. And due to the mild winter, that’s unseasonably warm! Being smaller bodies of water, lake waters will be colder…

Counter-intuitively, March is when the water is at its coldest – perhaps not so surprising, since it has had the whole winter to cool down!

Of course, being expert windsurfers, we don’t fall in. But being sensible windsurfers, we take care of ourselves – and we know that cold, especially cold water, is a killer.

I am not being melodramatic here – let’s put it into context; without protection, your expected survival time immersed in water at 5C is around an hour. Sounds like enough time to get help, except that in half that time, you will be unconscious and unable to do anything. Water has a very high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. In practical speak, it removes heat from the body 25 times faster than air. Swim or struggle and the heat loss increases.

In windsurfing, we are up against other cold hard physics – wind chill. This is essentially the principle behind refrigeration. Wind blowing over a wet surface (you!) evaporates fluid and causes cooling. Effective enough to keep a chicken frozen, the principle is noticeable – even low wind speeds make it feel a few degrees colder. At low air temperatures, 20mph can easily feel sub-zero.

So, if Cold Weather + Cold Water = Hazard how can we get to Cold + Windsurfer = Safe + Watery Fun?

Here are my 10 Top Tips for Brrr-aving the chill!

1. Winter Wetsuit – if you do only one thing, a well-fitting dry- or semi-dry winter wetsuit is a MUST. We are talking 4 or 5mm neoprene – and I stay in mine until June!
2. Insulate – a fleecy or neoprene rash vest under your wetsuit will keep you warmer.
3. Get a Hat! –You lose as much heat (note more!) through your head, so a neoprene hat or balaclava works wonders. Same goes for hands and feet; booties – and gloves if you can bear them!
4. The Rule of Doubles – as a guide, something (either the water or air temperature) should be in double figures. Some do go below, but do so with caution.
5. Energise – keeping warm takes a lot of energy. Eat well up to 1hour before and take some post-session snacks and a hot drink.
6. Be HOT! – cold muscles are more prone to injury, so don’t skimp on your warm up. Try to stay warm while rigging and changing.
7. Location, Location, Location – the sea is warmer than a lake; Harbours are safer than open sea; South and West = Warmer; North and East = Colder (this goes for both location and wind direction); Shallow Water = Warmer and may avoid full immersion; the Caribbean is good this time of year…
8. Be Short & Sharp– don’t stay out for too long and come back to shore well before you feel too tired or cold. Cold saps your strength; don’t underestimate it.
9. Be Realistic& Have a Plan – be realistic about the equipment and conditions that you can cope with. In the cold, you have less time to sort things out before you are in real trouble. Consider a bigger board for fewer falls; Check your kit before you go out; How will you get back if you get trashed or your kit breaks, or the wind drops when you are on a small board?
10. Buddy Up – NEVER go out alone, especially in winter. S*** happens, however good you are!

I hope that my Hot Tips will help to keep you Hot Doggin’ on the water. Stay safe, but most of all, have a wonderful, warm and watery spring!

Jackie Lambert