Waking during the winter

NordicSoldier · Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 2 City: Bergen, Norway

Any suggestion to what wetsuit to wear in the winter?? Thickness? It's really cold in the water (about 5 deg. Celcius)

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 25, 2003 3:54 am Post subject: Winter wetsuit

Here in the UK I wear a 5mm body 4mm armed steamer for windsurfing in the winter and this is enough to keep me warm in 8-10 deg C water. But in air temps below 8 deg C it's almost impossible to keep your hands warm. Gloves are not practical for windsurfing 'cos of the changed grip radius that results making it difficult to hold the boom. Marigold washing-up gloves that simply keep the wind off are almost as good as anything and because they are thin, don't significantly change the grip radius.

The biggest problem I have boarding in cold water is keeping my feet warm. As a result, I tend to give up mid-November, winterise the boat
and look forward to the following season commencing in March/April.

Be interested to learn what others do (other than move to Florida!)

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Get a dry suit

P hat in Cincy · Posted: Aug 25, 2003 8:51 am Post subject:

2nd the dry suit suggestion.

NVSAirWarrior · Posted: Aug 25, 2003 9:35 am Post subject:

Yes....for the 3rd time....GET a DRY SUIT!
Also, thin neopreme dive gloves will help keep your hands warm.

NordicSoldier · Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 2 City: Bergen, Norway

Thanx.. Got it now.. But arent the dry suits a lot more expensive?

llenta · Addict Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 788 City: Davis

dry suits are a bit more expensive, but they are worth every penny. I have both, but the second I got my drysuit, my wetsuit hasn't moved from my closet.
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Caodaism dicussion

NVSAirWarrior · Posted: Aug 25, 2003 3:43 pm Post subject:

I have a wetsuit too.....I think.....somewhere.
I don't know what a wetsuit would cost to go wakeboarding. The wetsuit I used was my Triathlon suit which cost about $250. I think I paid a little over $300 for my Oneil Drysuit. Worth every penny!

91Excel · Newbie Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 33 City: TableRock Lake

Dry suits are the way to go, the only thing I would add is to make sure it fits nice and loose(maybe a size bigger),so you can layer-up underneath for the really cold days & you will really love the baggy fit for comfort while riding. Just make sure you dont have any water coming in around the cuff's at the neck, wrist,& ankles. STAY DRY!!!

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 25, 2003 11:19 pm Post subject: Boarding in cold climates

You guys recommending dry-suits, I note from those who have biogs listed that you don't live in truly cold climates. So, maybe this question is irrelevant to you but if you are venturing out in near freezing temperatures do you have closed cooling systems on your boats?

If not, how do you prevent the block from freezing between sessions when the temperature dips below zero? Do you drain and backflush with anti-freeze every time out?

Or are you wimps just wearing dry suits all year round (sounds like at least one of you is!) Enlighten me....

riverside · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 1:24 am Post subject:

mr blean.
even a cloosed cooling system has to be cooled from the outside water.
there is a 2nd waterway that can freeze up..and still do some major damage.
it is more a salt water option.it is on my maristar.

anyway....you are right Mr blean.HOW COLD IS COLD?
i just bought a drysuit so i can join my german friends this winter.

BIGMAC · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 3:28 am Post subject:

Bare dry suit are sweet and allow tons of movement.

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 3:47 am Post subject: Closed cooling systems

Option · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 6:55 am Post subject:

I have a drysuit also which I wear a sweatsuit under. I ain't going wakeboarding unless the water is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Call me a wimp if you wish.

gvb · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 7:01 am Post subject:

Damn... you Europeans are insane! Wink

-gvb

-MadDog- · Criminal Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 71 City: Winnipeg

I wakeboard till there is ice on the water and I start as soon as it is gone. Temperatures go as low as 4-5 deg C. I have only ever used a wet suit. Set only last for about 15-20 minutes and don't try to many new tricks @ that point. I only wish I could go all year round.

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 12:17 pm Post subject:

77 · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 5:09 pm Post subject:

That pic RULES!!!

Dirty$outhRida · Addict Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 665 City: Austin, Tx.

so yall would reconmend a dry suit over a wet suit?

BIGMAC · Posted: Aug 26, 2003 9:09 pm Post subject:

Dirty$outhRida, hell yea I hate wet suits they are so uncofortable. I swear by BARE. you can put on a bunch of dry warm clothes on underneath when really cold or just wear shorts when not so cold. You have free movement in a dry suit and for me that is a big issue.

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 1:32 am Post subject: Freedom

Modern neoprene is so flexible that with a well-fitting suit you shouldn't really notice you are wearing it. Can't believe that is true for a dry suit, especially when a fall rams 2 quarts of water up your sleeve or down your neck and it ends up swilling round your ankles.....

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Blean I hope your not talking about me, it gets really cold in Texas, last year it was below freezing for 2-3 weeks! haha...I guess when youre used to it being 100+ I think its chilly if its under 70, I first go to a shorty wet suit, then in Dec, Jan Feb ride in the drysuit. Never had more than a trickle get in. And yes just drain the block after riding.

llenta · Addict Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 788 City: Davis

i don't know how many of you actually have a problem with water getting in your drysuit, but I never have that much of a problem. I am more wet from swet then water and I take some nasty falls. How many people actually get much water in their dry suits when they wear them?
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Marijuana seed

Chizad4421 · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 11:04 am Post subject:

iam interested in buying a dry suit to extend my season but i wanna know how u keep ur hands and feet warm.

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 11:33 am Post subject:

salmon_tacos · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 12:23 pm Post subject:

I've heard that antifreeze is overkill because the little bit of water left after draining won't hurt anything. I guess if your block is filled with water that freezes, you'll be in trouble, but little pools here and there are fine.

Does anyone KNOW otherwise?

BTW, I got a BOZ 4/3 wetsuit made entirely of stretch neoprene and it's very comfortable...MUCH better than the older dive wetsuits I've worn. I think it was just over $100 on Ebay. I guess one cool thing about a stretch neoprene wetsuit is the increased proprioception to help your body adjust to new tricks more quickly.

I haven't tried a dry suit but they seem like they'd be pretty cool.

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Yes I think it got below 0 last year. I think ST is right if there is just a little water in there and it freezes it shouldnt hurt it because there is room for expansion, I always thought it was the cracking of the block you are generally worried about when worrying about freezing. Its actually my buddy who keeps his boat un-winterized but I'm pretty sure he didnt add anti-freeze.
The only negative about the dry suit we use is that it rips out hair on your ankles/wrists.

gvb · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 4:08 pm Post subject:

I'm 5'11" 135 lbs... I wear my 4/3 wetsuit surfing in San Diego during the Summer. No way I'd last with you iceboarders...

-gvb

RUSSIAN · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 7:20 pm Post subject:

MrBlean, I do know how good we have it Laughing

Most of us here wear drysuits in the winter Laughing

I like to wear a drysuit because I don't have to change after my set, simply pull off the suit and dry my feet and I'm good to go. I have also worn a spring suit in 48 degree water, just to get a pull.

Blabelmooch · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 212 City: San Diego

llenta I have not met anyone who hasn't gotten water in their drysuit from a fall. I even wore one that had small seams and i still took on water. I think it depends on how you fall too. I have come back from pretty hard sets with hardly any water in then some I've com out with 1/2 of my t shirt wet.

BTW, a drysuit is the same price as a good wetsuit.