Poor (or often no special) SUP clothing unfortunately limits the SUP season in Northern Europe to a few months in summer, namely to the temperatures when falling in and paddling on in shorts and lycra is no problem. In winter, it is clear that you should protect yourself very well. However, the days when the sun is deceptively warm in winter or spring are particularly treacherous, but a fall into the water can catch you out cold. After all, falling into six-degree water wearing only functional trousers and a fleece jumper is potentially life-threatening.
SUP safety in winter
No matter how well dressed you are, long swims should be ruled out. A leash is therefore almost more important than clothing (with the exception of white water rivers with obstacles), because your board is also your life raft.
- Wear a leash,
- do not paddle alone,
- Estimate the weather (wind) in advance,
- Plan an emergency exit from a tour,
- no long water crossings,
- Mobile phone with me,
are the basics that are part of winter paddling.
A dry suit is usually the first choice for SUP clothing in winter
Winter clothing is clearly the order of the day at the moment. A wetsuit or drysuit is the only suitable clothing for this. Wetsuits are often criticised as unsuitable for SUP, but this is not entirely true, as you can read below. Nevertheless, special SUP drysuits remain the first choice in most cases because they are much more comfortable on tours or for training. There are also a few things to bear in mind, which are explained further on in the article.
SUP drysuits
Drysuits for SUP can be divided into two types: Very robust versions for white water and the more elastic, thinner ones for touring and training. These also offer a certain amount of breathability in certain conditions. The whitewater suits are usually sealed at the neck with an all-round cuff - which doesn't let water in even when washing, but is more uncomfortable to put on. A Interview with one of the leading manufacturers with lots of information about drysuits we have prepared here. A comfortable (wide enough or elasticated) drysuit with appropriate underwear is probably the best equipment for touring paddlers. However, there is one thing you should not underestimate: The dry suit only consists of a very thin laminate and does not insulate against the cold during longer swims. This can only be achieved with appropriate underwear. If it gets too warm in the winter sun in the "Trocki", as some people affectionately call their wetsuit, it is tempting to leave the zip open - but this is like putting a seatbelt around your neck in a car. You should visualise falling into the water with your drysuit wide open beforehand. A good SUP drysuit
- is waterproof at the sleeves, legs and neck
- offers freedom of movement to the front and for the arms
- ideally has at least one waterproof pocket for the phone
- naturally closes with a waterproof zip
Underwear under the drysuit
The underwear, which can be anything from functional underwear to merino, regulates the warmth in the drysuit and can therefore be customised for temperatures from zero to 15 degrees. Ideally, the underwear should have a certain "fluffiness" and thus also form an insulating layer in the water. There is a wide range of options for this, for example in the ski sector. In our experience, thick long pants and a ski vest plus a medium-thick fleece jumper are suitable for temperatures between zero and ten degrees - although this always depends on whether the sun is peeking out. But specialised providers also offer Good, if not quite cheap, underwear to.
Mandatory: Warm shoes for SUP in winter
Warm feet contribute a great deal to well-being, and shoes made from neoprene have proven their worth here. The thickness should be at least five millimetres, preferably six or seven. Neoprene shoes developed for surfing or windsurfing often have a very thin sole for a better board feel. You should try to get a model with as thick a sole as possible, because insulation is more important than the finest toe feeling when touring. One You can find a test of neoprene surf shoes here. Neoprene shoes should have a wider fit than you would choose for windsurfing, then the toes can wiggle around better and waterproof socks may also fit underneath. However, some manufacturers also offer neoprene shoes with robust soles that are also suitable for going ashore. The boat market certainly has a lot to offer here. A very warm model from We were able to test Enth Degree and it has proved its worth. If you are quite sure of yourself, thick Goretex trekking shoes and waterproof socks underneath are also the best protection. You should find a dry entry point for this, but this also applies to neoprene shoes.
Gloves
For paddling, gloves from cross-country skiing or other fleece gloves with a non-slip inner surface (rubber coating) have proven to be suitable. Windproof and/or waterproof gloves are of course even more suitable. You should also be able to find something in the cycling sector. In any case, cold fingers should not be underestimated.
Wetsuit as SUP clothing in winter
If you want to hit the waves on a SUP in winter, you should ideally opt for a wetsuit. Dry suits are not suitable for swimming due to their wide shape and are usually not tight enough around the neck when changing. Neoprene also insulates well in the water and our testers for windsurfing and wingfoiling go in and out of the water all year round in 6 mm winter wetsuits (with integrated harness). Here we present all the important models for Ladies and Gents So a wetsuit is not completely unsuitable in winter. However, it should be at least five millimetres thick. Unfortunately, these wetsuits do not breathe and are therefore not suitable for training and after a fall into the water, the surface remains wet for a long time and develops evaporative cooling. On the other hand, there is no immediate cold shock when you fall in because the water temperature only becomes noticeable after a long swim due to the thick neoprene. So there's nothing wrong with a winter wetsuit for two relaxed trips (if you already have one), and a windbreaker over it can provide additional warmth. However, when buying a new wetsuit, you should consider whether you need it for other purposes as well, and otherwise consider a SUP drysuit, as it is much more comfortable to wear when paddling.
General tips for winter paddling
- Select the entry point so that the feet remain dry.
- Wear a dry suit (with preferably thick, well insulating clothing underneath, otherwise it will be freezing cold in the water in a matter of seconds) or a thick wetsuit.
- Fleece cap or similar head protection.
- Fleece gloves with non-slip inside.
- Neoprene shoes (the thickest you can get, 7 mm) and ideally thick, waterproof socks underneath, possibly a cold-insulating aluminium insole); waterproof trekking shoes have also proved their worth - if the board feel is still good enough. Warmer than any surf shoe.
- Board leash... losing the board in the middle of the lake must be avoided at all costs in the current water temperatures.
- Phone in a waterproof case (check whether it can be unlocked and operated in it).
- For solo trips, stay close to the shore, especially with inflatable boards, and carry additional buoyancy aids if necessary.
- Avoid large gatherings of waterfowl and observe traffic bans!
- Thermos flask in the car - for hot tea afterwards.
Basic equipment for hobby paddlers in Central Europe
- Shorts, Lycra or similar, from 50 Euro
- Breathable dry suit, from 500 Euro
- Alternative wetsuit, from 250 Euro
- High neoprene shoes, from 35 Euro
- Running clothing under the dry suit,
- Pant and shirt, from 30 euros
- Neoprene tops or shorty for summer or Canary Islands holidays, from 40 euros
