It’s warming up outside but here in the Pacific Northwest it’s still very chilly when the wind comes up and the water is still frigid (and dangerous). I have a variety of clothes I wear for different conditions and my decisions on what to wear are based on a lot of different considerations. A few things to think about:
- Air temp
- Water temp
- Is it sunny or cloudy?
- What are doing? Surfing, racing, touring, looking for the Loch Ness Monster?
- Are you paddling alone?
- Are you headed out in open water?
- Could any of the things above change while I'm on the water?
The real question to ask yourself, “If I end up in the water and can’t get back on my board, how long could I potentially be there and what do I need to wear to keep me alive until I can swim to shore or get rescued?” You want to be comfortable but remember that it is easy to cool down if you get too hot (hop in the water for a second) but warming up isn’t so quick or easy.
Let me tell you about my Spring / Fall gear options for staying warm. My favorite piece is my Exo Skin top from ProMotion Wetsuits in Hood River, Oregon. It’s fleece lined and when the wind blows you’ll never feel any of it come through this top. The best part is the comfort. It’s built with lots of room in the shoulders so you stay loose and you’re not exerting extra effort fighting your wardrobe which can happen with a heavy wetsuit. It's snug but the neck is loose and breathable. I wear this over the top of an NRS Ultra John wetsuit. On cold days I add a SmartWool thermal layer. This combination is good if you are paddling with friends who know how to do a rescue or if you’re paddling close to shore and know that you won’t be spending a lot of time in the water, either planned or by accident. I use Xcel 5mm Infinity boots for cold weather and NRS 3mm Freestyle boots when it warms up.
Know your abilities, know your local weather and as always...safety first!