It’s cold again. Even in California. Thanksgiving signals the beginning of the end of the year. A time to reflect on prior months of success or shortcomings, and what changes should be made for the future. But for some of us, it’s time to brave surfing in colder weather. Check out these 4 reasons surfers love the winter.
Winter means shorter days, longer clothing, and cooler water. But for surfers, winter is a time to rejoice. Wavesliders love this season.
4 Reasons Surfers Love the Winter
Here’s a few reasons why surfing in cold weather is often the best:
Waves
This is the most obvious advantage. I can’t think of any place in the world where wave energy doesn’t improve from November through March. Australia fires with massive Southern Ocean swells.
Ireland, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, and North Africa all light up with Arctic fuelled waves. In the states, the Eastern Seaboard takes on a more consistent stride from hurricane season. Out west, northerly swells awaken sleepy California surf spots.
And if it’s an El Nino year, expect southern-fuelled waves and warm water to venture north. Surfing in Hawaii is obviously epic surf as noted by the timing of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational and general fervour along the North Shore. Even the dodgy Brazilian coastline picks up. Everywhere seems like a safe bet.
Fewer People
The cooler air and water temperatures always means fewer people in the water. Fewer people willing to get out of bed and brave a dawn patrol session means uncrowded surfing in cold weather and umpteen unpopulated peaks.
Cloudy weather means you won’t have to eschew any errant softops or flailing paddlers on your way down the line, because we all know that those who can’t surf need sunlight to survive. And finally, fewer people in the line-up means there’s not so many in parking lots, under showers, on the beach, on the path, in your way, damn near everywhere!
Gear
Yea, I know, it costs a little bit. But how nice is slipping into a brand new wetsuit and being warmer than you ever have been in the water? The technology of winter surf gear making watertight booties, gloves, caps, and suits telescopes every year.
Your 4:3 wetsuit from two years ago doesn’t come close to this year’s models. Quality and durability is always on the rise so investments in gear have never been sounder. And while you’re at the store, take a peek at the board rack for that new step-up or gun. You might need it to charge those wintertime swells.
Travel
I don’t mean home for the holidays. Winter is a great time to head somewhere exotic for surfing holidays featuring warmth and waves. For us in California, Mexico surfing holidays are traditionally a wintertime venture to escape the bundled-up commute.
Why not get some surf while you’re away? Go surfing in Morocco to score some Atlantic juice. Or better yet, head where the term ‘winter’ only refers to a slight change in rainfall: try Indonesia, try Hawaii, or even Taiwan. Obviously one of the top 4 reasons surfers love the winter!
Surfing in Cold Weather
Yes, winter is indeed the season of surf. What about the dream of The Endless Summer, you say? It’s simply a farce to keep you out of water in winter…
