Do you have to put your paddleboard away for the winter?
Is paddleboarding purely a preserve of the warmer months?
We all see the summer photographs of paddleboarding in swimwear. We may even have our own pictures of such sunny days. Yet we see fewer pictures of bobble hats being worn.
Now the clocks have changed, the nights are longer and the days are colder, do we have to hang up our paddleboard until after next Easter?
Last winter, I made the decision to paddleboard all through the winter. Strangely, Sunday mornings were often dry as I alternated between exploring local rivers on my board and bracing myself for winter swimming at the lake.
I have spoken to many of my SUP yoga students about paddleboarding over the winter. So, if you are considering keeping your board in use for the next few months…read on for some key advice!
Six Top Tips For Enjoying SUP In Winter
1. Check The Weather
Firstly, check the weather so you know what to expect. I found the worst days for winter paddling were the wild windy ones. One Sunday, I remained resolutely on my knees for the entire paddle – it was so gusty! I went out on days when the river was almost frozen across and on one occasion, I was steering my board between the sheets of ice. I thought it would be the showers I would be dodging but I was lucky in that I did not get rained upon at all.
2. Paddle Where You Know
Perhaps the winter is not the best time for paddling in areas that you do not know due to the unknown strength of the current. A heavy rain fall can greatly change the speed of the water. This is especially true if you are going to paddle against the current in one direction. I enjoyed seeing lengths of rivers that I had only previously seen on sunny days and comparing those views to what I observed in the midst of winter.
3. Choose Your Route With Care
I always made sure that on my outward paddle, that I set out against the current or the wind. I made the mistake on one chilly day of not doing this and it was really hard work battling against the elements with the cold burning a lot of energy. Even with my full winter paddling wardrobe (see below), those last few hundred metres on that day were the least fun of my winter’s paddling.
4. Dress Up Warmly
Even though I swim outside in the water, I like to be warm for most activities. I would not enjoy a morning paddling if I spent it shivering.
From the toes upward these are my winter wardrobe thoughts…
Neoprene boots are magic. I started with neoprene socks, but they just didn’t give the right amount of warmth. The boots were ideal and stopped that icy chill entering my toes. For keeping your legs and body warm – some people invest in dry suits which can be very expensive. I found that a full-length wet suit kept me warm (even if it was from the budget end of the wet suit range). I would then wear a rash top and a light jacket on the coldest days. I also bought a pair of neoprene trousers which I could couple with outdoor tops which would remain warm whilst wet. I would then wear a light raincoat over the top. I preferred this flexibility to the wetsuit. I bought cheap neoprene gloves too, but I could not decide if they were better than the old pair of ski gloves I had in a drawer at home. Alternating between them according to which I could find the easiest. Finally, the bobble hat was de-rigor! I often wore a small daysack too which I could put clothing items in as I became too warm.
5. After Paddling
I always had a flask of coffee in my car to help warm my hands after paddling. I found that I became coldest, when deflating my board and packing it away so that hot drink was required before I started my drive home. Some kind of treat was also welcome to add to my coffee to stop that blood sugar dip.
6. Normal Safety Advice
All these points should be read alongside the usual paddleboarding advice, such as you are safer paddling with others. Always wear a buoyancy aid and waist leash. Make sure your board and paddle are in a good state of repair before you start.
Paddleboarding Is Still Fun In The Chill
I was unsure what to expect when I began my paddleboarding winter journey. Was it really just another activity for summer months? Would I find a pleasure in chilly paddling? Would I feel comfortable both in terms of warmth and safety?
My conclusion by the end of February was that I had found a beauty on those winter mornings. Paddleboarding was still fun in the chill, and I felt comfortable out on my board. Just as I look forward to next summer’s warmth, I am also keen to enjoy another winter season too.
Main – Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
