Water here is 45 F (8 C) and will get down to about 39 F (4 C) by Feb. For Air Temp I will go out when it is ~40 F (4 C), but I've been out surfing when it was snowing. However, this is my first sport where you're mostly out of the water fully exposed to 15-20 knot winds so I don't know what's normal.

Last time I went out the only problem I had was gloves. I'm using 5mm NP pre-bent claw fingered gloves, a 5/4 suit and 7mm boots.

When I got out after 2 hours, my hands were numb. The pain when they warmed up almost brought me to tears - and it wasn't tears of joy. Didn't expect that.

What's normal? What's safe? And also what are the best gloves since that seems to be the weak spot so far.

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crashflow said..
Water here is 45 F (8 C) and will get down to about 39 F (4 C) by Feb. For Air Temp I will go out when it is ~40 F (4 C), but I've been out surfing when it was snowing. However, this is my first sport where you're mostly out of the water fully exposed to 15-20 knot winds so I don't know what's normal.

Last time I went out the only problem I had was gloves. I'm using 5mm NP pre-bent claw fingered gloves, a 5/4 suit and 7mm boots.

When I got out after 2 hours, my hands were numb. The pain when they warmed up almost brought me to tears - and it wasn't tears of joy. Didn't expect that.

What's normal? What's safe? And also what are the best gloves since that seems to be the weak spot so far.

Pre-curved gloves are the way to go. Those sound like good gloves. The key is you need to wear a harness so you can move and warm your hands when riding and or stop and sit on board and move hands to warm up. Don't let them get that cold as you've felt it's not great. Your hands warm up fast if you put effort into moving them. Hands will get fatigued and are usually the reason I call the session in cold conditions.

I was at -2C air temp a couple of days ago; winter is coming here, so the sea will be frozen anytime now, partly already did, so I needed to change the launching spot. For me the Rip Curl flashbomb 5/3mm lobsters are the best ones, eventhough there is some neopren between your hands and the wing handles, it still works ok.
Funny or actually not so funny thing was that my Unit 5m's both valves were covered with ice, and eventhough I have a van, fully inflated 5m won't fit in! So needed to melt with my not so warm bare hands the caps to get them opened.

Ride Engine 2mm gloves are one of the best gloves to minimize arm fatigue but 2mm is only so warm. I have switch to mittens as the weather gets into the really cold days.

those 3mm are the best gloves I owned!!!

surfwear.sooruz.com/gallery/produit/gloves-bird/

Mitt's are the best in very cold weather!

If you can find them Dakine mitts. Great down to freezing even with the palms cut out. I use nitrile tattoo gloves under them.

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Grantmac said..
If you can find them Dakine mitts. Great down to freezing even with the palms cut out. I use nitrile tattoo gloves under them.

Thanks for the nitrile glove tip, did this yesterday and worked nicely. Recommended!

Nitrile gloves are my secret weapon. I go long periods without being able to sail so my hands can lose their calluses, the nitrile helps keep them from getting destroyed before they toughen up.
As you noticed they keep that instant cold from hitting your hands when using the palmless mitts.
I keep a box in the car and hand them out like candy.

Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

Ion palmless mittens/ gloves , windsurfers in colder climates have been using them for years. Heaps of us tassie guys wear them. The problem with normal gloves is the arm pump you get..
I am going to wear a pair today as we have 10 degree air and snow on the mountain.
Give me a message if you cant find any.

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Fishdude said..
Ride Engine 2mm gloves are one of the best gloves to minimize arm fatigue but 2mm is only so warm. I have switch to mittens as the weather gets into the really cold days.

Forgot to mention my favorite mittens, Kokatat Inferno Mitt Neoprene Kayak Gloves. They size them small, get 1 size bigger. The least fatiguing, best grip, good gloves and mittens I could find.

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geared4knots said..
Ion palmless mittens/ gloves , windsurfers in colder climates have been using them for years. Heaps of us tassie guys wear them. The problem with normal gloves is the arm pump you get..
I am going to wear a pair today as we have 10 degree air and snow on the mountain.
Give me a message if you cant find any.

Pre-curved gloves don't give the arm fatigue.

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/

I second the kotatat inferno kayak mittens. Worked amazing for me for all cold weather conditions last year down into the 40s F air/water.

On those really cold days, the Hunters Response trick is the key to keep your hands from feeling like glass shards are ripping your fingers apart when they thaw out after a session. Simple fix is to set a 15 minute timer on your initial session. Come back to shore and allow your arms to come below heart level and get some blood flowing, swing your arms around, run around like a lunatic for a few minutes. Maybe a few stretches, then head back out for 2 hours with pain free hands on the water and post session.

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MidAtlanticFoil said..
I second the kotatat inferno kayak mittens. Worked amazing for me for all cold weather conditions last year down into the 40s F air/water.

On those really cold days, the Hunters Response trick is the key to keep your hands from feeling like glass shards are ripping your fingers apart when they thaw out after a session. Simple fix is to set a 15 minute timer on your initial session. Come back to shore and allow your arms to come below heart level and get some blood flowing, swing your arms around, run around like a lunatic for a few minutes. Maybe a few stretches, then head back out for 2 hours with pain free hands on the water and post session.

This is very good advice!.
So many times i have been winging with miserably cold paws for an hour,come in for a break and then going out again with hands just fine for the rest of the session.
Will try it tomorrow.

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mcrt said..

MidAtlanticFoil said..
I second the kotatat inferno kayak mittens. Worked amazing for me for all cold weather conditions last year down into the 40s F air/water.

On those really cold days, the Hunters Response trick is the key to keep your hands from feeling like glass shards are ripping your fingers apart when they thaw out after a session. Simple fix is to set a 15 minute timer on your initial session. Come back to shore and allow your arms to come below heart level and get some blood flowing, swing your arms around, run around like a lunatic for a few minutes. Maybe a few stretches, then head back out for 2 hours with pain free hands on the water and post session.

This is very good advice!.
So many times i have been winging with miserably cold paws for an hour,come in for a break and then going out again with hands just fine for the rest of the session.
Will try it tomorrow.

I've read that in ice climbing circles, they call the painful thaw out 'The Screaming Barfies.' Supposedly if it's bad enough, the body's response to the pain is actually barfing. So you are screaming from the pain and puking everywhere. I've never had it that bad, luckily!

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foilthegreats said..
Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

I finally got around to buying a pair of the 5mm ones from Dive World in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I haven't tried them yet but I have used the 7mm booties -- they seem good and easy on/off with side zippers. Cold weather has arrived along with the wind. It takes a certain mind set to go out and get wet when its 6 to 10 degrees C (I know that lots here go out in much colder temperatures and more power to you -- I've windsurfed on the Ottawa River and had to avoid ice flows but that was a long time ago).

Again, here's the link for those in my area (I didn't mention in my previous post that there is lots of other cold weather gear listed on the site -- boots, steamers, hoods, etc., besides the gloves):

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Really wish they kept making Dakine's, if you can find them in your size, jump on them. They work well, keep you warm and don't cause forearm fatigue.


DC

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dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..
Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

I finally got around to buying a pair of the 5mm ones from Dive World in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I haven't tried them yet but I have used the 7mm booties -- they seem good and easy on/off with side zippers. Cold weather has arrived along with the wind. It takes a certain mind set to go out and get wet when its 6 to 10 degrees C (I know that lots here go out in much colder temperatures and more power to you -- I've windsurfed on the Ottawa River and had to avoid ice flows but that was a long time ago).

Again, here's the link for those in my area (I didn't mention in my previous post that there is lots of other cold weather gear listed on the site -- boots, steamers, hoods, etc., besides the gloves):

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Good choice, that is where I purchased mine.

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foilthegreats said..

dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..
Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

I finally got around to buying a pair of the 5mm ones from Dive World in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I haven't tried them yet but I have used the 7mm booties -- they seem good and easy on/off with side zippers. Cold weather has arrived along with the wind. It takes a certain mind set to go out and get wet when its 6 to 10 degrees C (I know that lots here go out in much colder temperatures and more power to you -- I've windsurfed on the Ottawa River and had to avoid ice flows but that was a long time ago).

Again, here's the link for those in my area (I didn't mention in my previous post that there is lots of other cold weather gear listed on the site -- boots, steamers, hoods, etc., besides the gloves):

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Good choice, that is where I purchased mine.

I've watched a few of your winter winging videos and noticed you're wearing some sort of "wind breaker" over your steamer. What exactly is it and where did you get it? I assume it helps keep you warmer with it on -- I also noticed that Tucker at MacKite also wears something over his steamer in cold weather. Thanks.

Select to expand quote

dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..

dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..
Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

I finally got around to buying a pair of the 5mm ones from Dive World in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I haven't tried them yet but I have used the 7mm booties -- they seem good and easy on/off with side zippers. Cold weather has arrived along with the wind. It takes a certain mind set to go out and get wet when its 6 to 10 degrees C (I know that lots here go out in much colder temperatures and more power to you -- I've windsurfed on the Ottawa River and had to avoid ice flows but that was a long time ago).

Again, here's the link for those in my area (I didn't mention in my previous post that there is lots of other cold weather gear listed on the site -- boots, steamers, hoods, etc., besides the gloves):

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Good choice, that is where I purchased mine.

I've watched a few of your winter winging videos and noticed you're wearing some sort of "wind breaker" over your steamer. What exactly is it and where did you get it? I assume it helps keep you warmer with it on -- I also noticed that Tucker at MacKite also wears something over his steamer in cold weather. Thanks.

It really has no thermal value but keeps the wind off. I wear it year round because I like the way it looks. www.patagonia.ca/product/mens-stretch-terre-planing-hoody/86186-TOIB.html?dwvar_86186-TOIB_color=TOIB&cgid=root

I wear a 6/5 Patagonia R5 wetsuit. My body doesn't get cold. Hands are always first to get cold. Then feet but I've now used 8mm Solite with thermal socks and feet don't get cold anymore even in slushy water.

Select to expand quote

foilthegreats said..

dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..

dejavu said..

foilthegreats said..
Found a new favourite glove: Waterproof G1

They're designed for divers but have a pre-curved design and a really high quality build. They also have a zip with a decent seal that lets water in slowly. Also makes it easy to take off.
I have the 3mm but will be getting the 5mm & 7mm for next winter. Best I've tried yet.
I've had a good 15 sessions on them and they still look new, can't say that for any other glove I've tried. Really superior stitching work.

They also have a version that are even tougher with a Kevlar palm.

waterproof.eu/products/accessories/gloves/g1-3mm/

I finally got around to buying a pair of the 5mm ones from Dive World in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I haven't tried them yet but I have used the 7mm booties -- they seem good and easy on/off with side zippers. Cold weather has arrived along with the wind. It takes a certain mind set to go out and get wet when its 6 to 10 degrees C (I know that lots here go out in much colder temperatures and more power to you -- I've windsurfed on the Ottawa River and had to avoid ice flows but that was a long time ago).

Again, here's the link for those in my area (I didn't mention in my previous post that there is lots of other cold weather gear listed on the site -- boots, steamers, hoods, etc., besides the gloves):

diveworld.ca/product/waterproof-g1-5-finger-5-mm-gloves/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Good choice, that is where I purchased mine.

I've watched a few of your winter winging videos and noticed you're wearing some sort of "wind breaker" over your steamer. What exactly is it and where did you get it? I assume it helps keep you warmer with it on -- I also noticed that Tucker at MacKite also wears something over his steamer in cold weather. Thanks.

It really has no thermal value but keeps the wind off. I wear it year round because I like the way it looks. www.patagonia.ca/product/mens-stretch-terre-planing-hoody/86186-TOIB.html?dwvar_86186-TOIB_color=TOIB&cgid=root

I wear a 6/5 Patagonia R5 wetsuit. My body doesn't get cold. Hands are always first to get cold. Then feet but I've now used 8mm Solite with thermal socks and feet don't get cold anymore even in slushy water.

O.K. and thanks for the link. I checked at Dive World and they offer something (I think) that is similar (body sweater):

diveworld.ca/product-category/dry-suits/

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omg said..
I was at -2C air temp a couple of days ago; winter is coming here, so the sea will be frozen anytime now, partly already did, so I needed to change the launching spot. For me the Rip Curl flashbomb 5/3mm lobsters are the best ones, eventhough there is some neopren between your hands and the wing handles, it still works ok.
Funny or actually not so funny thing was that my Unit 5m's both valves were covered with ice, and eventhough I have a van, fully inflated 5m won't fit in! So needed to melt with my not so warm bare hands the caps to get them opened.

You maybe already do this, but take a gallon thermal jug filled with as hot of tap water as you can get for de-icing your valve covers on your wing, or as some of us do, fill a good quality cooler with HOT water for use in de-icing or even to dump a bit in your gloves, booties or wetsuit to warm up.

Man you guys are hard core. Ice on your valve covers!! Man that's cold.

Yes, hot water for de-icing, that's a good tip. Needed to use mouth and fingers (guess was it cold then) to de-ice the main valve from Unit... not fun

I wear a cheap spray jacket over my wetsuit. Makes a big difference in cold wind. No practical disadvantage when you fall in the water or paddling home if the wind shuts off.

I got those G1's and the seams leak which is a real deal killer for me.

Also they are a lot more fatiguing the Ride Engine's. I think the thing that makes the Ride engine less fatiguing is the more exaggerated curve fingers also they are more supple.
Next search is for the Pro Limit Polar 2 layer precurved gloves, (3mm) or their Curved finger Utility gloves (2mm) which both look similar to the R.E. Gloves. Hopefully I can find these without having to pay 60 Euros for shipping.