While the
numbers are falling on the thermometer and the darkness is pulling a black coat
over the northern hemisphere many windsurfers including myself is mentally preparing
for hibernating. The depression is almost impossible to avoid. As you probably
know all windsurfers are junkies. We need the adrenaline and endorphins that
the planing is creating. The first month is the worst. You Google on trips to
Egypt, Cape Verde etc., but do you have the time to go, is it OK at work and
the family, can you afford it?
I do not
say that I have the solution. But at least I have something that could stretch
the time before the last windsurfing day is through this year.
Before the
snow and ice comes, it is usually pretty windy. It has to do with the
differences in temperature in the north (like Svalbard) and the south (like
Spain).
And the last
weekend November was an occasion like that. Lots of wind in France, Holland,
UK, Sweden etc. I was out sailing for a few hours in the drizzling rain in 25
knots of wind and really enjoyed myself. I said to one of the guys at the beach
afterwards, ”I did not even freeze at all”. When I started the car the temp was
+3 Celsius. With wind-chill effect that would have been very cold.
How did I
manage so well (my gear between ( ) but probably there are lot of other brands that are equal).
1.
Preparing
and rigging in warm clothes and gloves
2.
Warm
6mm winter suit with integrated hood.
(Simmer Steamer 6/5/4)
(Simmer Steamer 6/5/4)
3.
Polypro
rash (Quiksilver)
4.
2
mm neoprene shorts (NeilPryde) (I wish I had some better polypro, but have not found any
5.
7
mm boots (Atan)
7.
Camelback
with +45 C energy drink (Platypus winter)
8.
When
ashore I jump into an survival suit (Fladen)
9.
Warm
car with diesel-heater (Volvo XC70)