Ok, I've been off the water for a while with my knee in a brace after I sprained by knee ligament, tore the cartilage and bruised the old bones a bit coming off a tad too violently. (Actually, I can SUP ok if it's calm. I'm just not so good at carrying the board). Anyway, I'm nearly good to go again, but summer's fading!

So I'm wondering what happens in the SUP community during winter? Do you all pack up and go home, or are you still out there? What do I need to do to to prepare - buy a very thick wetsuit (did I mention I'm a wimp?), or ?? I live an hour away from the beach, so I have no idea how weather conditions are on Port Phillip Bay in winter compared to the warmer months (apart from the obvious cold!) - do I need to check out rivers instead, or is the beach still good?

Seriously gunna die if I don't get out there soon!

That's good to hear, thanks! Actually can't surf YET - but hoping to learn on the SUPVIC surf weekend coming up. What does 4/3 mean? 4mm some places, 3mm others, I take it?

MichelleN said...

What does 4/3 mean? 4mm some places, 3mm others, I take it?

Yes

Btw I paddle all year round on flat water and you don't even need a wetsuit.. unless you think you might fall in.

Sometimes I wear a spring suit (short legs- short arms) under my clothes (boardies and shirt).. Maybe a long leg and short arm wettie on a downwinder were I might fall.

Most of the time in the marina you just need to wear what a cyclist would wear.. They ride all year round.

DJ

camo hosk said...
Great your going to the SUPVic Inverloch weekend on the 23rd and 24th of March Michelle, we'll be able to give you a heap of info on paddling through the winter months in Vicco as there's a crew of us that do so every year,
cheers.

Yep, there's a core bayside crew that paddles all year, we get some glorious mornings in the cooler months (and some sh1te ones)...and that's when the dolphins, seals etc start to appear.

Ok, wettie (tick), boots (tick), - I'll keep a look out for some thicker ones tho. Thanks everyone :)
Really looking forward to Inverloch Camo, thanks.
Helmy, great to have an idea what to expect, thanks.

HC, great - glad you'll all still be there. I'm sure I'll see you down HMB, but don't think I'll ever be able to keep up with you guys!

DJ, I'll look forward to seeing you out there then! I'm way too playful not to seriously risk falling in every now and then, so I definitely need the wettie :) And if the dolphins and seals turn up, I might just have to jump in! (The anchor works great btw)

malibujet said...
Just move to Queensland. You only need a wettie for about 6 weeks a year and then only a shortie. Water 26 deg at the moment.

26 degrees? eeeew...that'd feel like when the kids wee in the pool, wouldn't it?

malibujet said...
Just move to Queensland. You only need a wettie for about 6 weeks a year and then only a shortie. Water 26 deg at the moment.

Got back from 5 days on the Sunny Coast a couple of weeks back. One thing I did miss about Vic was the refreshing dip in the ocean. After a day's sailing, jumped in the water to cool down only to be greeted by bath-temp dirty-coloured water & tiny stings!

Give me Vic anyday! In saying that, Qld is a beautiful place & the scenery is veeery-nice indeed!

i'm thinking of ditching the rubber and trying a soul drysuit. a good website at www.oceanrodeo.com

they look ungainly but obviously do the job in the surf as well as flat water although i don't know how they feel from the inside

my closest dealer is in melbourne so i'd have to make a trip to get the sizing right

I've tried dry suits and I'm not a fan.. Unless its really, really cold and you need to wear warm dry clothes underneath.. The wrist and ankles need to be pretty tight to not let water in.. and also the neck.. That's the bit that I hated.. One more thing.. You can't pee in it..



DJ

paddlepop said...
i'm thinking of ditching the rubber and trying a soul drysuit. a good website at www.oceanrodeo.com

they look ungainly but obviously do the job in the surf as well as flat water although i don't know how they feel from the inside

my closest dealer is in melbourne so i'd have to make a trip to get the sizing right

You'd cook in that thing even on the coldest days!!
I wore a 2mm long john last winter with a rashie underneath & booties....Keeps the shoulders free to paddle and offers plenty of protection from the cold....even if you fall in!!
When training, even with only that on I'd still be drenched with sweat at the end of the session.

DavidJohn said...
I've tried dry suits and I'm not a fan.. Unless its really, really cold and you need to wear warm dry clothes underneath.. The wrist and ankles need to be pretty tight to not let water in.. and also the neck.. That's the bit that I hated.. One more thing.. You can't pee in it..



DJ

As DJ said... Drysuits are really uncomfortable. I wear one diving in Melbourne and if the neck seal is too loose it leaks... If it's too tight it chafes and you look like someone has given you a hickey ALL around your neck!!!

As for the "can't pee in it"... You can so long as you don't mind messing up your clothes and stinking so bad people cross the street to get away from you. [}:)] Or you could install a Pee Valve (Basically a condom catheter and rubber tube with a one way valve). Then you just need to "Plumb In" each time you use it.

For me... I'll stick with the wetsuit. The modern surf suits are more than adequate and flexible enough for any manoeuvre you want to do

Its still got latex seals. That means it's not the latest generation.

The new generation suits coming out for diving have silicon seals. This means no problems with allergies and a much softer feel so no chafe. Only problem is they are more expensive as you need a special attachment system. once you have this replacement is simple and cheap.

The one in the picture is still latex.

The suit also appears to be a back zip (i.e. the zip runs across the back of the shoulders). Unless you're much more flexible than me, you're going to need someone the help you get it done up.

Another thing... Every time you add another entry point (like the pee zip) you add another potential point for leaks.

Pee zips, pee valves and condom catheters? Haha! I'm getting a little more info than I bargained for here!

Yes Kristi is sponsored by Hive disclaimer out the way!





She loves this eccotherm for paddling and surfing even up to mid winter in Vicco worth a try.

http://hiveswimwear.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=89


Phill

OG SUP said...
Yes Kristi is sponsored by Hive disclaimer out the way!





She loves this eccotherm for paddling and surfing even up to mid winter in Vicco worth a try.

http://hiveswimwear.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=89


Phill

Thanks Phill, looks good! I'll check it out.

Mahanumah said...


Another thing... Every time you add another entry point (like the pee zip) you add another potential point for leaks.

I thought that was the point.