Hi..
I'm still a rookie, but I enjoy paddling more and more.
In Israel now water temperature is ~19 degrees Celsius, as compared to the tropical 26-28 degrees we get in summer.

Air temperature on the sunny days is 18-24, so you don't actually need more than a simple thermal swimsuit at most.

However, I found out I'm subconsciously a lot more "careful" when I paddle at winter, since I really hate the cold water impact if/when I fall into the water.
My concern is that the cold impact might cause me to lose my bearings or even have some temporary breathing problems -I know it sounds funny but it happened to me once many years ago when I jumped into cold water.

I wonder - will a thick wetsuit reduce this 'cold impact', or does it just help to prevent overall body heat loss?
As I've mentioned, our weather does not dictate warm clothing in typical winter days - but I don't want to be worried about the cold impact if I fall - it hurts affects my concentration and technique.

Thanks for all the tips.

a thick suit clearly reduces this cold impact, but for me the problem with a thick wetsuit in conditions of 20degree air is that i am going to overheat when i don't get wet on a regular bases. also a thick suit isn't usually very "stretch" so it will not be very comfortable to paddle longer time.

i would recommend paddling in "thermal swimsuit" as you said, and from time to time sprinkle a bit of the "cold" water over your neck/feet/head so it won't feel like a shock.

but i also might also not be a measure as for me in switzerland these conditions seem like summertime

P.S: what thicknesses of wetsuits are we talking about? 2mm? 5mm? if you want a wetsuit for your conditions i would recommend 2 or 3mm maximum, gives a bit less protection, but leaves you more freedom to move and heats less.

Hmmm...I guess it's about what you're acclimatised to but here in southern OZ I don't think we'd regard 19 degrees as "cold" water. Certainly a 2mm steamer and some booties would be more than enough for me (but I tend not to feel the cold much)...maybe a 3/4 for the very thin-blooded, depending on wind and ambient air temp. It's usually only a bit of a shock the first time you fall in anyway , and it helps if you control your breathing and relax.

I'd say just tuffin up . I'll take 19c all year long .

Guys at the risk of coming across as a prude but may I suggest that the gentleman perhaps needs a little bit more quality advice than "toughen up".

I mean really.

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ghost4man said..

Guys at the risk of coming across as a prude but may I suggest that the gentleman perhaps needs a little bit more quality advice than "toughen up".

I mean really.

Your right, get a 2mm jacket (retro my choice) and a 2mm springy just in case.
But seriously there has to be a lot bigger variance between water temp and air temp to induce breathing problems than 1-5 degrees.
"come on mate toughen up", woops I said it, sorry

2mil spring suit

Hi all,
and thanks for ALL the replies - even the "tuffen up" ones.

Just to explain - this is not a "ooh baby don't wanna a get cold" issue.

Not all of us are 20+, and I've seen some pretty tough guys accidentally fall into cold water and respond not nearly as well as one would expect - I guess "toughness" has many faces, depending on the climate and lifestyle you are used to. As an example, I don't think my wife is "tougher" than me, but she has no issues with falling into cold water (cold being our warmish 19 degrees).
Some of us sub-tropical people are not used to cold, just like some tough vikings pass out in our 30+ degrees summers.

When I'm out there alone, I minimize risk - I paddle with inflatable vest, don't go far from shore when I don't see any paddlers around, and in general take precautions.

Cold shock can cause Vasoconstriction, so yeah, I'm being super-careful.

As very recent sad events show us, even a super-tough Formula One Champion (one of the toughest, most dangerous sports) can get into a serious condition even while wearing a ski helmet and just having a good time with his son.

In any case, I'll be off seeing some 2mm suits soon enough!

If you know you are prone to cold water shock then you are wise to take precautions. But you'd only really need the bare minimum at the temperatures you are talking about. A thin short john would do it. So would a 1mm neoprene long sleeved top. I have some Hydroskin NRS gear that works well. You are just looking to lengthen the time that the water takes to cover your abdomen, by a few seconds , rather than keep all water out. You can be back on your board pretty quickly . If you are surfing rather than flat water paddling then a 3-2mm full suit would be plenty in the conditions you describe, and most people would have to take a dip just to cool down.

As mentioned above, I'd go a 1 or 2mm wetsuit jacket with a full front zip, so you can have it open if you heat up too much and haven't fallen in. I'd also try actually deliberately getting in the water, as slowly as you like, reasonably regularly, so that you get your head around the fact that it really isn't that cold. Round here in sunny Qld (similar winters to yours by the sound of it), if you surf right through the seasons, the adjustment is so easy, but if you miss a few weeks as autumn turns to winter, it can be a tiny bit trickier to get motivated on the ordinary days. Whatever you do - enjoy your paddling and give us a progress report some time, please.

I am in a 6mm hooded suit and 7mm boots with gloves too............don't know what warm water is!

I would say acclimatise - that is, go out often and don't worry about falling in. You can just get back up on the board and start paddling again and that will keep you warm, especially if you have some sort of wetsuit (doesn't need to be thick) to keep the wind chill off you.

Sorry, but 19 C just isn't cold...so I'll also say it, toughen up.

2 mm spring suit if you have a problem..... But 19 degrees is warm!

As security is your concern, and cold shock your worry, you may want to consider a neoprene "impact vest" (that kite surfers wear). They add solo trip safety and just the right amount of warmth for the cool days.

For a cloudy chilly windy day maybe a 2mm spring suit will bring you some cozyness.

As many have pointed out you risk getting a too warm when paddling hard. Nothing a quick dip wouldn't fix, eh?

Is an active paddler actually at risk of cold shock? I'd venture a guess that a drowsy sunbather has some risk and an active paddler much less so. I know lots of cases of the former and have never heard of the latter (I used to lifegaurd). Anyone have any science or stats on this?

Thanks Yugi, you seem to be one of the few who really understood my concern. It is very encouraging to hear your opinion since I also suspected as an active paddler I'm not really in the same 'risk area' as someone just falling off a boat etc.

I'm just saying - the great thing about paddle boarding is that it allows the "average Joe" who never surfed/sailed to get a nice taste of being in the ocean. However, it makes it very easy for the average Joe to get into situations where he/she are relatively far from other people, and when you are alone at sea, you should take every precaution.

Israeli beaches are mild - no sharks, mild winds and temperatures, and typically very calm seas.
But even here, we do of course get in every season e.g. "drifters" that did not correctly estimate the eastern wind that day.

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SleepLessInTLV said..

Thanks Yugi, you seem to be one of the few who really understood my concern. It is very encouraging to hear your opinion since I also suspected as an active paddler I'm not really in the same 'risk area' as someone just falling off a boat etc.

I'm just saying - the great thing about paddle boarding is that it allows the "average Joe" who never surfed/sailed to get a nice taste of being in the ocean. However, it makes it very easy for the average Joe to get into situations where he/she are relatively far from other people, and when you are alone at sea, you should take every precaution.

Israeli beaches are mild - no sharks, mild winds and temperatures, and typically very calm seas.
But even here, we do of course get in every season e.g. "drifters" that did not correctly estimate the eastern wind that day.

The "Kelly Slater" 2mm short sleeve zipperless steamer might be a good option. Ticks all your boxes and enhances flotation.

I should start with a sleeveless 2 mm neoprene shorty and with a thin long sleeve loose fit lycra/neoprene shirt (your body temp will rise very quickly with this sport) If you are worried to get in trouble just wear a water vest like the naish defender or something like that (So if you fall in the water then you will float if you can't swim cause of any reason). Just walk into the water till your legs are under, so your body can 'feel' the water temp. 19 degrees water temp is fresh but warm enough to get used too in the long term. You have to be in it more often so your body will adapt faster.

Just to share what my local inquiries raised:
indeed, as Yugi was the first to point out, I'm not concerned about "unpleasantness". I've just this weekend finished two sessions, and at our 20 degree Celsius sunny days, a simple basic thermal swimsuit is more than enough and there is no problem whatsoever. Even if you fall, after two-three minutes back on the SUP you are fine and dandy.
But some of the older SUP'ers do go out with flotation vests (as do all Kayakers of course) - those don't heat you up too much (you can even go bare chested after all), but if you fall, they ensure you will stay floating for the first few potential seconds of disorientation.
Once I get one of those, I'll report on the actual experience.
thanks all.

Oxbow used to make some shorthies and 2mm shortarms with a bit of extra flotation, that might suit you.
Like the rest above I think +19C is perfectly fine to get used to, but it needs some time for some to adjust.

My wife used to have in our autumn sessions brain freezes as well, but by doing it more regulary the body adapts and now she is fine in winer time.
( water around +5 air between +7 and -5

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SleepLessInTLV said..

...
Once I get one of those, I'll report on the actual experience.
thanks all.

Check out the o'neal gooru padded vest. Being zipperless its a bit strechier than others. Fits tight like a wetsuit vest and is cut a bit more "sleeveless" while most are more "tank top" cut. So a good pick for warmth.

There's a trick to getting out of a zipperles vest. Pull an arm out before trying to get it over your head. Its plenty strechy to pull an arm into it and then out under.

We paddle on a big lake where all watercraft need to have lifejackets, so I'm wearing one year round. It's pleasantly warm when the air is cooler and useful (added security) for the when the water is cooler.

If you have a lot of excited rank-amateur speed boats bombing around consider a bright color. A SUPer wearing dark colors can be difficult to see at distance depending on light. Be aware that boats you see very well lit (low angle dawn and dusk light) are likely to not see you very well. And visa versa.