Hi all,

First noob question, so got the flame suit on ! Go easy on me...

Being someone who used to sail during winter months in the aptly named Brass Monkey Series, I'm well used to the cold however this was done from the safety of the foredeck of a large boat where falling in the water wasn't all that common !

Now I'm getting into windsurfing after an introduction from a mate last year, I'm curious as to how many of you sail during the cooler months, and what sort of air / water temps do you sail in ?

Cheers !

Hi Fireman,
Inverloch Windsurfing Club runs a Brass Monkeys Speed Challenge over the Winter months- inverlochwindsurf.org.au/events/brass-monkeys-winter-speed-challenge/

The challenge was to record the fastest speed on the coldest day
Generally , the coldest temps we recorded were around 12'C but wind chill would have brought it down to about 5'C....you certainly know you're alive when the mercury is in single figures!

On the flip side. its one of the pure joys of windsurfing....there's nothing better than a winter session..when the wind is biting, and the water gives you a permanent ice cream headache..you have the beach to yourself, and theres something awesome about knowing you are part of the 0.000001 of the population mad enough to venture out on the water at that time of the year...

As one of the Inverloch members that has competed in the last two Brass Monkeys competitions I have been nicknamed "The Michellin Man" for all the extra layers I put on. It is great fun though especially when you hit the water for the first time and that first trickle of water finds its way down your back.

It would be good to get out in the quiet - my dad used to do the same when he was learning to surf !

I love the winter water. Hardly ever get a cold during the flu season when I go out and freeze myself each week. Awesome winds as well.

I sailed when it was snowing in England, just made sure i drunk plenty of tea and just wee'd a lot.

Now there's something we don't talk about.........

Hate to start shivering because then can,t enjoy staying out much longer..
So this season got TWO polypropylene surfers tops under the wetty.
Medium and then XLarge inside out over it.
Gotta keep falling in to prevent overheating!

Hello, Sam,

Here is a graph for the water temps in the Bay back to last year :http://www.baywx.com/temps.html

As you can see, we've bottomed out and the temps are getting warmer.

For winter, a single-sided 5/4 wetsuit beats the cold. For summer, I use a double-sided 3/2, but plenty of people just wear shorts in December etc.

Hope this helps.

I managed to get through winter with a 3/2, and 3 rashies.... but ordered a 5/4 in any case because it takes me so bloody long to get ready as it is....

Winter IMO is well worth the effort, and the right wetsuit, and we have been rewarded when making the effort 3/4 of the time.

Thanks all for your replies...

I must be getting old, cos my 3/2 is only just keeping me warm !

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FiremanSam said...

Thanks all for your replies...

I must be getting old, cos my 3/2 is only just keeping me warm !

Eat more pies!

K Dog - I just managed to lose 35 kg's of thermal layer - no more pies !!