Photo by Edward Obermeyer

Surfing 101: A Guide to year-round surfing

As we approach spring and the winter swells begin to subside, many surfers are feeling the itch to don their spring suits and hit the water the next time the swell is pumping. This is a great opportunity to take a moment to reassess your gear. In cold water surfing, personal comfort is crucial. It enables you to stay in the water for longer periods during those crisp dawn patrol sessions, and ensures your safety during those chilly evenings. Read on as we walk you through the best gear for surfing in each season, as well as some tips and tricks for keeping your stoke high.

Wetsuits and Cold Water Surfing

For many year round surfers, the colder months can offer some of the best swell periods and conditions all year. Surfing in cold water can be a daunting task, even for the seasoned surfer. Picking the right gear for your session will help keep your spirits high and eliminate any risk of hypothermia or any other cold related injuries. When planning to cold water surf, it's important to pay note to the thickness of the suit you're planning to wear in relation to the water temperature. In the water temperature range from 50-60 degrees fahrenheit, we recommend wearing a suit in the upper 4mm range. This will most likely have you covered for the colder days in the spring/fall. Anything below that you will need a thicker suit, or in many cases you can supplement a 4/3mm suit with things such as gloves and booties. On days you need to wear a hood in the water you will also need an additional base-layer. Many wetsuit hoods come with a built-in vest which we recommend wearing for those colder days. These recommendations do not take into account air temperature, wind conditions or sun exposure. Some good options to consider when purchasing a winter ready wetsuit include the ​​O'Neill Psycho Tech 5.5/4mm Wetsuit or the Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4mm Hooded Wetsuit as well as the Hurley Advantage Plus 4/3 Fullsuit. Photo by Edward Obermeyer

Spring and Fall

The spring and fall months can be a tricky time of year to plan a comfortable surf. The air is too warm for a 4/3 but the water is too cold to go light on the rubber. During these months its helpful if you have more options than just your winter suit. A solid spring suit can allow you more versatility in comfort and will eliminate some of the head scratching that comes along with planning during these tricky months. I personally use a 2mm spring suit well into the summer months, especially in the mornings, to guarantee comfort and warmth. If you need a little more warmth during this time, you can get away with wearing a suit in the 3mm range. I recommend the Matuse Artemis LS 2mm Springsuit, the Vissla Solid Sets 2mm Jacket and the Oneill Reactor II 2MM Spring Suit.

Summer and Warm Water Surfing

Its tempting during this time to say goodbye to the neoprene for the warmer months and pull out your boardshorts, but keep those spring suits handy for the cooler air and water days and you'll be happy you did. But, for the bulk of the summer in most areas on the east coast, its time for warm waves. Warm waves bring hot days, and hot days lead to sunburn and other sun related injuries. Its important to be equally prepared for the heat as you are for the cold. A couple good options for staying safe from harsh UVs is to wear a physical barrier such as a sun hat or a long-sleeve rash guard. A few good options to consider: Outdoor Research Sun Bucket Hat - Offers 360 protection from the sun on your face, neck and shoulders. FCS Essential Surf Bucket Hat - Same 360 profile paired with a chin strap for a secure fit. NRS HydroSilk Rash Guard - Short sleeves and full body sun protection as well as a barrier from board rash. In addition to any clothing you can wear as a way to protect yourself from the sun, its also a good idea to use sunscreen as often as you can. When you purchase sunscreen, make sure it is environmentally safe, especially non harmful to the oceans ecosystems such as reefs. Photo by Edward Obermeyer

Conditions

Its always a good idea to check the surf report before heading out. There are many different websites you can use to check wind conditions, surf height and forecast as well as tides and water temperature such as: surfline.com, magicseaweed, and windfinder. Make sure to use these tools to plan your sessions appropriately and to help stay within your boundaries. Surfing is a fun and exciting way to get exercise and feel connected to the ocean as well as the community around you. Make sure to respect others in the water including wildlife and always follow necessary precautions when in the water. For those who are generally new to surfing etiquette, or maybe are looking for some tips for your next surf session, check out A Kooks Guide to Surfing by Jason Borte. Jason is an inductee of the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame as well as the author of Kelly Slater's biography Pipe Dreams. Surfing gear, especially when it comes to wetsuits and board shorts can be a little pricey. Luckily all the gear mentioned in this post can be found unnew at geartrade. Cheers to longer sessions, more waves and maximum comfort in the water. Will Pearce is a Gear Specialist at Geartrade. He is from Virginia Beach, and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. His passion for writing, advertising, graphic design and brand building matches his love of the outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, running and crochet!