Winter on the great lakes (or any cold water area) is tough for an SUP rider. Ice burgs and bitter cold temps make it near impossible to really get out and ride, but as spring approaches it’s time to get your SUP board out and start thinking of what you need to SUP in cold water for spring. If you are like us, and cannot wait around till April to get out on your SUP, this article is for you. With the right equipment, the frigid water temps will be no match and you can hit the water safely at any time of year. Assuming you’ve got the board, paddle and PFD covered, the list below will hit everything else.
Wetsuit
First things first, you will need a good wetsuit. Wetsuits vary in thickness and you should make your selection based on the temperature of water you will be in. Keep in mind, with SUP, you are not always completely submersed so sometimes you can use a slightly lighter suit if you are comfortable on your board and don’t plan on spending much time in the water. If you are SUP surfing, we recommend paying closer attention to the water temp recommendations. Here is a great article on how wetsuits work and goes in depth on wetsuit styles, materials and suggested water temp info. For the early spring you will likely be in a full suit in the 6/5/4, 5/4 or 4/3 range.
Wetsuit Booties
At the very least, your feet will definitely be under water so a good pair of wetsuit booties is a must have. Just like your Mother always told you, if your feet are warm, the rest of your body will be warm too. Our favorite cold water option is the 7mm Round Toe Bootie from O’neill. This super thick bootie will keep your feet warm on the coldest days and will also add some excellent traction in addition to your deck pad. And as the air temp warms up, you can loose the wetsuit and just wear the booties with your regular bathing suit. Booties also come in varying thickness and there are lightweight options for summer use if you end up liking the added traction. Browse a list of all the different booties we stock.
Wetsuit Hood
Cold water in your ears is not only painful but can potentially be dangerous. If you want to be out in the winter months and plan to spend some time under water, we also recommend picking up a wetsuit hood. These neoprene caps will lock in the warmth and keep the water out of your ears for a much more comfortable day in the water. We will admit they are not the most comfortable thing to wear but trust us they will get the job done. Available in various styles and thickness and again base your choice off the water temp you will be in. Browse our stock of wetsuit hoods.
Wetsuit Gloves
Another great piece of gear that can can offer both warmth and added grip is a good set of wetsuit gloves. They come in varying thickness, some with grip, some without. If you are surfing the grip is not as important but for SUP and paddle surfing, the grip comes in pretty handy. Thicker gloves can feel a little restrictive at first, but when the gloves get wet the elasticity expands a little and they become more comfortable. Again, if you are in frigid temps, the comfort factor is not nearly as important as the warmth factor. Browse our wetsuit glove selection.
Wetsuit Insulation
Another way to add warmth to your wetsuit is with some layered insulation. These insulators will be similar to your basic rash guard but will be thicker and sometimes offer a cozy fleece backing. These are available in short sleeve and long sleeve tops and shorts as well. You will wear these under your wetsuit for added warmth or standalone if your wetsuit would be too warm for the conditions. You can also wear a traditional rash guard the same way. Browse some of our insulator tops or rash guards.
Drysuit
A drysuit is ultimately the best option for warmth during winter paddling but does come at a price. Unlike a wetsuit that lets a little moisture inside, a drysuit keeps you completely dry and protected from the elements. It can be worn over your choice of first layer – wool leggings, insulator tops, etc. These suits can handle extreme temps (with the proper layers underneath) and are great for the SUP enthusiast that wants to be out in February cruising thru icy waters. If you are looking to get into a drysuit, you can contact us for more info or check out O’neill’s best selling drysuit.
There you have it, a list of everything you need to get out and SUP in cold water. Take this knowledge with you and you will be able to SUP in any type of water/air condition. See you on the water!