Many times we associate the word “surf” with Summer. The good weather, the scorching sun, the warmth of the sand on our feet when we step on it… However, surfing requires perseverance and you have to surf all year round even if it’s cold! While it’s not that common to surf in the Winter, it never hurts to know what tips or aspects we should consider if we want to catch a wave this season. Find out below our little but essential tips to follow when you dare to go for some surfing in winter!
The best benefits of surfing in Winter
One of the main advantages of surfing in Fuerteventura is that, even in Winter, the temperatures don’t tend to be very extreme, so surfing in Winter doesn’t become a mission impossible. Furthermore, there are not a few people who recommend this time of year because you can catch better waves and the restrictions are generally lower, which in turn helps a better learning process for all levels. For this reason, our surf school in Fuerteventura, Corralejo, surfintrip.com is open all year round so that you can learn to surf regardless of the time of year.
On the other hand, during the Winter months you will not find as many crowds as in the Summer, so you will feel a greater sense of freedom and the number of waves you can surf will also be far greater. Furthermore, if you surf both in Winter and in Summer, you will not lose the experience accumulated at sea as it happens when you surf only in the Summer months.
Minimal and essential tips for enjoying surfing in cold weather
You may be thinking, “And how can I avoid freezing from head to toe in the Winter if I want to surf?” Don’t worry! The tips we will show you below will help you enjoy surfing while avoiding shivering from the cold once you get to the beach.
Make sure you bring clothes and equipment with which to fight the cold
Our main goal is not to feel like an ice cube, so wearing a quality and very thick wetsuit is our best option, as it will be easier for us to maintain body heat. Make sure the seams are taped and folded too! Don’t forget to bring your hood, gloves and quality shoes with you, especially according to the weather forecast for the day you decide to surf. In conclusion: dress in layers and wear whatever you need but make sure you are comfortable and can move easily for surfing in Winter!
Before you start…warm up well!
While it is already essential to warm up before catching waves during the Summer months, when it comes to surfing in Winter this step is even more important. Not only it will help you to avoid injury, but also your body temperature will rise. This means that the contrast will be less once you enter the water with your beloved board. Never and never underestimate the importance of a good warm-up!
Never stop moving!
Once in the water, try not to stay completely still for a long time to prevent your body from losing the heat it has gained during the warm-up. Feel free to paddle even if the waves are very small, as being inactive for a long time will cause the chills to start running through your body.
Keep everything ready, both in and out of the water
So far we have mainly considered what tips you can follow to avoid the cold when surfing in Winter. Now, what can you do once you have finished catching your waves?
To ensure that your body does not suffer the sudden change in temperature once out of the water, we recommend that you have any type of hot drink on hand. It will help you fight the cold and overcome the sudden change in temperature.
We also recommend using a mat in order to change clothes as you don’t have to put your wet and bare feet on the floor. Also, don’t hesitate to wear a surf poncho, as this way you can change without getting cold and will dry quickly.
What do you think of our recommendations? Did they serve to encourage you to do some surfing in Winter? Remember that you can also take a look at our tips to know how to clean the surfboard and that, if you have any questions, you can contact us without any problems. We will be happy to help you!
