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Unless you have been hibernating, you probably will
have noticed a shortening of the daylight hours now
that October is upon us, and that is exactly what some
fair weather surfers will do - sleep until next spring
and miss the best swells of the winter!
Apart from the obvious discomfort of the cold waters,
there are differences to surfing T-Bay in the winter
months, and if you are up for it, there is no reason
you should miss out on the epic winter sessions.
The emphasis should be on safety - although most drownings
take place in the height of the summer, that is only
because more people are in the water. Remember, you
are joining a hard-core group of people who treat the
ocean as a playground that is less populated in the
winter months. So if you are going to play hardball,
then come prepared.
Equipment
Your equipment is your salvation.
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Neoprene:
Obviously you want to be warm, so use a good 5/3
wetsuit and patch up any holes and nicks you have
gathered. If you have a good insulating rash vest,
all the better. Boots are a must if you want to
protect numbed toes from reef cuts, a good hood
is also necessary as you can lose 30% of your body
heat through your melon. Of course, gloves will
also help you prevent arthritis setting in before
5 winters have passed and you have to be hand-fed
because your hands don't work any more. |
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Board:
Make sure it's it good repair for the winter. A
badly dinged up board will take in water and make
it heavy to paddle through big, heavy & onshore
T-Bay! |
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Leash:
NEVER underestimate your leash. It's the only thing
that holds you to your board. Use the correct leash
length for your board, and do not fix your leash
to your ankle underneath your suit. Know how to
take off your leash underwater in case you get caught
in kelp or reef. This can save your life. Check
the urethane cord for nicks and knots as these seriously
weaken the cord. Check the swivel joints rotate
freely. Check the rail guard does not bite into
your board, and also check the knot that holds your
leash to the leash plug on the board. Check your
leash plug is not under threat of working loose
from the board. And remember it stretches, so when
you come up for air, be sure it's not coming for
your face at a rate of knots. It hurts. I know it.
If any part of your leash does not work properly,
replace it. Its as simple as that. |
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Other
Surfers: Remember the drop-in rule: The surfer
closest to the curl has priority. Keep an eye out
for others, keep checking your position in the line
up if there is a lot of water moving around. If
you, or anyone else drifts, keep calm and see if
you can find another way in. |
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Surfing
alone: We all know the answer to this one,
don't we? |
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Rips:
If you are caught in a rip, paddle diagonally across
it until you are free. Don't paddle against it.
You'll tire yourself out. Remember the golden rule:
White Water in, Blue Water out. It may not be enticing
to be hurled in arse over tit, and certainly not
the coolest, but it will be your best bet. Especially
if you have lost your board, Ya eejit. (see above).
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Weather:
This is a no-brainer. Check the forecast. If it's
due to howl a gale, know about it. Don't go out
if you feel it's above your capability. With the
best of intentions, we can get caught, especially
in unfamiliar breaks where conditions can change.
Know the swell direction and if the swell is building
or receding. It may be uncool, but Jeez, ask the
guys surfing around what is happening if its getting
out of hand, or multiple peaks are popping up. Oh,
and know the tides. |
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Look out for floods on the
many voyages west you will make over the winter. |
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