We’re done with drysuits, but 3/2 doesn’t cut it. SUP session at Cryder

All in all it was a good day:  No wind forecast, no waves neither, but their was waist to shoulder high swell at Cryder where Jon Ford and I went to SUP.   In the bright sun and near 70’s air temps my drysuit had been put away, and I thought I’d try skipping my leaking 5/3 and surf with a 3/2, plus a neoprene shirt and hood to insure maximum comfort.

Not even close.

Fortunately/unfortunately I didn’t fall for a good ten minutes after hitting the water.   My first dunking in  the 52 degree Atlantic was alarming.   I was about five degrees warmer than Get Out Of The Water Immediately, or in other words Conditions Were Great Except When I Fell.

Jon caught lots of good waves, and I rode half a dozen winners plus a dozen not-so-bads.    But the cold water was punishing with every fall, and after an hour or so I paddled over to Jon to tell him that I thought I’d wrap up the sesh after a few more waves.    The first time I tried to say this I found my lips didn’t work so well.  So my second attempt I changed the line to one more wave.   Then when I tried to get back up standing and fell three times in a row (my balance shot) I thought “I’m like one of those hypothermic people who don’t realize they’re compromised” and decided to get my chilled butt off the water whilst I could still fake clear-headedness.

Next time out I’ll be back in a semidry.  Even my leaky eight year old 5/3 would be better.  But perhaps I’ll go shopping for some proper new neoprene.

Comments

[Tonywind]

3/2 in 52F??? You really crazy! Another option is to put up some body fat. Not only it will give you more ballast for the upcoming regattas but you'll also eat lots of tasty food!