Like a rescue parachute, which you hopefully never need, you only wear the drysuit for the worst-case scenario. In single-digit temperatures, there is no alternative.
Extreme paddler Carol Scheunemann, probably the woman with the most training kilometres in Germany, knows what is best to wear. "In winter, a dry suit is ideal, with ski underwear underneath. In water temperatures of 10° C you can survive for about an hour, at 0° for a quarter of an hour, but the cold quickly paralyses your limbs." Because these ingenious suits are all breathable and waterproof, but hardly warm in the water due to their low thickness, thicker fleeces are recommended underneath. At Dador, you can find matching one-piece suits with slightly shorter sleeves and legs. With the SUPSKIN, Carol wears "thick neoprene boots of 5 to 6 millimetres, preferably slightly larger and with woollen socks or waterproof socks. An aluminium insole protects against the cold from below. Add a fleece hat that keeps your head warm but lets moisture out. Mittens keep you warmer, and sometimes I also wear woollen undergloves." A (canoe) life jacket can also provide warmth, "It keeps you warm and you also have pockets for your mobile phone and car keys," is Carol's tip. Carol's complete year-round advice is available at sup-mag.de.
This winter we were able to try out four suits extensively. Breathable, waterproof models that all work much better than any neoprene on the market. The differences lie mainly in small details.
Leashes can save lives. Especially in cold water. In wind and waves, it may not be possible to reach the board after a fall without the leash. If there is a risk of getting caught somewhere with the leash (river etc.), release systems that can be released within safe reach of the hand are urgently required. Such as the waist belt (NRS, above) with pocket to which the leash is attached or the "Leash Belt" from PB-Proof. One pull on the red ball releases everything. Even the fittest people often cannot (!) reach the ankle in strong currents. In addition to the right clothing, a proper leash is therefore top 1 on our safety list.
BUOYANCY AIDS
Quite a few water sports enthusiasts feel safer with an additional buoyancy aid. Perhaps not so far-fetched on inflatable boards with one chamber. Here are four options.
SUP is where they meet: the "risk junkies" and the "safety fanatics", as they might see each other. There are the surfers who only know life jackets from aeroplanes and canoeists who, as a matter of course, always set off in full gear with a life jacket and throw bag - even on Lake Starnberg.
The clever i-Bag from Siren is attached to the board and acts as a second chamber for the board and as a transport bag, although it is not particularly easy to load due to the tube opening. The disadvantage: if the board is gone, so is the buoyancy aid. Once again, the leash is the number one lifesaver. If the board does deflate, you at least have a viable plan B(ag). The other three aids are worn on the hip belt and ignite in a flash after being pulled by a small CO² cartridge and can be inflated by mouth using the valve. In the Secumar waistcoat you are as tight as in the grip of a strangling snake, the hip belt is also the belt of the inflated waistcoat. The NRS Zephyr cushion is also fastened around the neck, at least with an auxiliary belt. Better for swimming without deflating first: The Restube. The buoyancy aid is used for clinging on and resting or is pulled on.
In any case, we hope you never hear the CO² hiss!
THE FOUR SYSTEMS AT A GLANCE
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
