While the crowds thin out and the frost sets in, winter often brings some of the most consistent and powerful winds of the year, which makes for some truly epic wing foiling conditions. However, wing foiling in the cold requires a major shift in mindset and prep. Here are five essential tips to keep your wing foil game going strong through the winter.
Insulate Yourself With Proper Layers
Many riders focus solely on their extremities, but cold hands and feet are often the result of a cold core. When internal temperature drops, your body starts to restrict your blood flow to your fingers and toes in order to protect your vital organs from harm.
Adopt the "onion principle": layers are your best friend. Start with a thin neoprene thermal hooded vest under a high-quality winter wetsuit. Adding an impact vest over your suit acts as an extra layer of insulation for your chest, trapping heat where you need it most while also providing key safety benefits at the same time.
Get As Much Preparation Done In The Warm As Possible
Getting cold while you’re prepping your gear is a great way to ruin the experience and force you to call it quits early. By the time you’re finished pumping your wing and attaching your foil, you’ll already be freezing cold. To avoid that, prepare as much of your kit as possible at home or another warm indoor space. And make sure you’re wearing warm winter clothes too. Changing into your wing foiling gear should be your last step. The goal is to hit the water with a high body temperature, not starting from a deficit.
Choose Well-Known And Safe Spots To Wing Foil
Winter is not the time to start exploring and going off the beaten path. If something goes wrong, you’ll find yourself having to deal with a lot more danger in cold water. Stick to spots you’re familiar with and know are safe. In winter, a boring but safe spot is always preferable to a riskier one.
Keep Things Light And Fun
As much as winter isn’t the time to go exploring, it’s also not the time to start pushing yourself and upping your wing foiling performance. In the summer, you might happily spend hours falling into the water while you’re trying to pull off your first 360 or backloop. In the winter, every fall is a much bigger deal. Shift your focus from technical progression to chilled-out cruising. By staying on the foil more and in the water less, you keep your body temperature more stable, allowing for much longer, safer sessions.
Follow A Strong Recovery Plan
The session isn't over when you step off the board. It’s over when you’re warm and dry. Hypothermia often sets in after adrenaline wears off. Have a "warm-up kit" ready in your car: a large flask of tea or coffee, a thick changing robe, and a set of warm, dry clothes. Most importantly, don't linger in your wet gear. Get out, get dry, and get warm immediately.
