Cold Water Surfing: Everything You Need for a Tiree Winter Surf Trip
I’ve been thinking this week about getting away for the weekend, heading up the coast and finding somewhere I can get in for a few hours without the surf turning to mush or being blind-sided by 70mph gusts, but with my tiny Ford Ka I need to be really specific with my packing. This isn’t a van job, I can only take the things that I absolutely need (and that includes passengers). With this in mind, I am wondering what the absolute fundamentals are for a winter surf trip in the UK. And what can be left behind if, like me, you have affection for your tiny car that means you’re not ready to look for something bigger yet?
Warmth is important. I usually pack a blanket, my biggest jackets, a stove for a hot cuppa once you I out. I don’t think this can be scrimped on, or I probably won’t spend much time in the sea. After that it’s all about my board gear; wax, spare leash, wetsuit (hat, boots and gloves!) and any bodyboards I can fit. I am not be planning to go for long, so I want to make the most out of any time away. Last but not least, the basics for comfort. I always buy food when I get to wherever I’m staying, it saves packing more than I need and eating out can make the trip more of a holiday. That’s pretty much everything you need for a UK winter surf trip.
Throughout the winter, getting in the sea can be a real labour of love. These last few days, the swell off the North East coast has been absolutely smothered by the wind. The surf comes more often, but so does biting rain and cold car parks. I can’t claim to be the most committed surfer – but I’m trying.
I’m no expert, and I’ve still got a lot to learn about the illustrious world of cold water surfing, but these are the nine things I have found to be essential to a fun, exciting and inspiring winter surf trip:
1. A portable stove, gas and a kettle for a fresh brew.
2. Surfboards.
3. Surfboard travel bag.
4. The right gear, say goodbye to that 3mm summer suit.
5. A well-stocked first aid kit
6. Towels and blankets (Multiple!)
7. Surf Alternatives for those mushy days, like a bellyboard, or hand-board.
8. Warm Clothing.
9. Stoke.
If everything above can fit in a 1.2 litre, four seat car then it should be on everyone’s packing list to get the most out of their surf.
The right gear
Whether at home or away, thick neoprene is essential to enjoying a winter surf. Rubber is going to be my best friend, and leaving anything behind or scrimping on packing can make getting in the sea almost unbearable.
Wetsuits were first introduced to the international market in the 1950s. They were thin, they fell apart much quicker than our modern day equivalent, and they were not easy to put on. However, for the surfers that had been paddling out in woolly jumpers, they were a godsend.
“It’s always summer on the inside.” The motto for Jack O’Neill’s first commercial suits, introduced in 1959.
Now, we’re lucky to have stretchy and comfortable suits that will keep us warm year round –so it’s a good idea to invest. If you’re looking for a new suit, splash out on the best 5mm you can buy, I did. For me, no-zip or a chest zip works best. A chest zip minimises flushing, and I personally prefer the fit around my neck.
And don’t forget to get boots, a hood and gloves to match. Surfing is no fun if you can’t feel your feet, and taking off your gear with cold hands is hard enough without losing the use of your fingers. I’ve been the person writhing around in the car park for 30 minutes, hoping no one sees what a kook you’re being – it’s no fun.
The ticket to tea
A stove is potentially the most important thing to remember, after your boards. You want to start your sessions on the right note. Fuelling up before a winter surf is one of the most essential parts of my routine, and can make or break the fun of the sea.
Not only that, but when you start to get cold, knowing that you’re coming out to a hot drink makes it that bit easier to stay in a little longer.
I would be lost without a Trangia in the boot, for pre-surf encouragement and something to look forward to when peeling off a freezing suit. We have a few coffee shops on our local beach, but you can’t rely on there being a place nearby and coffee is a must – especially after a dawn dip.
Surfboards and a Surfboard Travel Bag
Winter swell is undeniably different to summer, and as such it’s important to take the appropriate boards away with you.
My current storage situation means I only have one trusty steed, but if you have multiple then making sure you have the right board for the right wave is a must. We’re talking bigger swell, steeper waves – the winter gets exciting and heading out with a high-volume foamie is not the way to do it.
But what board is useful without everything else you need to maintain it? I’ve been guilty before of forgetting wax, or a wax comb, and it’s usually on days that I need it most.
I’m a big believer in an organised surfboard travel bag, because without one I would probably lose my head. In mine I keep both base wax, and cold water wax. I also keep a spare fin (Just in case I lose one of my three), a fin key, a spare leash and a ding repair kit. Nothing that takes up too much space but all things that might be a pain to replace if lost or forgotten.
A Well-stocked First Aid Kit
The chances are; you’ll never use this. However, if you have ever seen a fin injury (also known as a ‘skeg’) then you will understand the importance of being prepared for the worst outcome. They can be incredibly minor, but they can also be pretty nasty.
According to Surf Survival, a very interesting book by Andrew Nathanson, Clayton Everline and Mark Renneker, 55% of surf injuries are caused by the surfers own board.
“55% of surfing injuries can be attributed to a surfer and their surf board.”
First aid kits are readily available. I keep one in the boot of my car, not just for surf trips but all year round. Knowing that I have the materials at hand to deal with almost any scenario makes me much more comfortable on a day to day basis.
I personally don’t think it is worth the risk of missing out on anything, so made sure to fully stock my kit. However, I know that plenty of retailers offer everything from pocket first-aid-kits to mountain standard – we all know our own abilities and limits, and the likelihood of getting into difficulties.
Taking a first-aid-kit is a personal preference, but I would highly recommend it.
Surf Board Alternatives for the Mushy Days
There’s no telling with the swell. Sometimes it arrives early, sometimes it arrives late, and sometimes it doesn’t arrive at all. Sometimes you have a wave, but it is closing out or not peeling quite right. We can’t always guarantee that perfect A-frame that so many of us dream about.
This year I tried my first belly board. It was actually really awesome, and for days at a beach break it is absolutely perfect.
There are some beaches along our coastline that have more less-than-ideal days than ideal days. That’s not to say we shouldn’t get in, and sometimes you’re so desperate to be in the water that it really doesn’t matter.
Those are the days that I’d be getting out a good surf board alternative. There are plenty of options now; belly boards, hand paddles, body boards. After last summer I was a new convert to the sport of body surfing, and even when the surf is mush you can get out and have real fun.
Warm Kit And Hot Water Bottles
The big secret to cold water surfing? Fill up a hot water bottle before you go in (Remember that stove) and put it in the middle of your clothes. Warm and dry clothes when you climb out are one of the unbeatable feelings of winter surfing, and make every suit flush worth the cold.
Another essential I pack in my ‘warm musts’ is an old blanket to go on the floor, and at least two to wrap up in afterwards. I have to say, I am usually most thankful for the sacrifices of my floor blanket – keep your toes just that little bit toastier by keep them off the freezing, and often wet, car park. The other two can go around your shoulders when you’re half changed, and will provide more protection from the wind than a towel ever could.
If you have one, a robie or dry robe are also fantastic alternatives and investing in one further down the line is something I should really consider.
Either way, the biggest turn off from winter surfing is the cold – and preparing for the coldest conditions will ensure a much more enjoyable experience all round. If you’re going away, sparing a little extra space to pack extra towels and blankets will not go amiss.
And most importantly of all: Bring the Stoke.
Surf stoke is a real thing. When we surf, we experience increased levels of adrenalin and dopamine. The more we partake in sports that encourage these elevated levels, the more we become addicted to the rush. (You’ll see the effects of this with ‘adenaline-junkies’, like the big wave surfers that tackle Nazare in Portugal.)
When you’re planning to go away, you’ll probably get excited just by the thought of experiencing this feeling. Think about the breaks, the spots, the rights and lefts. Plan where you’re going to go, check out the forecast and get hyped about the trip ahead.
Winter trips can be rejuvenating, and getting away and having a break is always good for the soul. If you’re not stoked already, when you get on the road you certainly will be.
Conclusion
Getting away in the winter months is always harder than a warm, summer holiday. That being said, we can still make memories of waves that we will never forget – and with that more powerful and steeper swell, you should have an incredible surf. There is no time like the present to start monitoring Scottish pressure chart and planning your trip. With the right gear, and the right attitude, truly cold water surf can be an exhilarating and incredible experience. I think, and I’m sure most people would agree, that a little discomfort is worth it to have the time of your life and catch pumping swell you might well be talking about for months. On the UK coastline we have some world class waves, and winter is as good a time as any to explore them.