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WINTER SAILING MOTIVATION

Tim Reinieren at

PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS 

But with a little preparation and the right gear can have you enjoying temperatures lower than your regular threshold. (Always seek medical advice if you suspect any physiological issues that might contradict with the below advice.)

HEAD, HANDS, HEART

It goes without saying that you need a warm dedicated winter wetsuit (5 or 6-mm. thick – even consider drysuits).

Of course hoods and hats are vital too as are warm boots – unless you’re a real die-hard ‘barefoot’ sailor!

Palm-less mittens are the big saver of ‘hot hands’ ‘reheats’ ‘hammer hands’ pain that many dread.

Choose a pair of mitts where the wrists are not too tight and the rubber not too thick so that forearm cramps can be prevented.

Get changed at home. You’ll find a surprising amount of motivation is lost when you arrive at the beach and the prospect of a cold, wet change puts you off - If you’re already suited-up you’re going out!

ICE POPS

Make sure you have a dry wetsuit at all times. Don’t leave your suit outside to ‘popsicle’.

Get home and dry it out straight away.

TIP: Although you may think salt from seawater helps dry a suit out, actually, if you rinse a suit in fresh water you wash out the salt that actually absorbs and holds dampness in the rubber! (You should always rinse a wetsuit out anyway!)

Don’t shower in water that’s too hot after a sail as it can ruin the glue on the wetsuit.

If you are caught with a damp suit from the day before, roll it up in a towel (perhaps wrapped around a warm flask?) and drive to the beach with it on the dashboard with the heater on full-blast!

Also, as much as it might make the contrast when you step outside higher, keep your vehicle as warm as you can on the drive so that your core temperature is high.

If you only have a short drive, warm up first at home inside so that your blood’s pumping (the anticipation of a sail might do that for you though!) and your muscles are amped and ready to rock.

The same goes for layering up whether you change in the van or before you leave home – be warm so that your core temp is high.

Miriam Rasmussen rushing out of her suit after an early winter, arctic-circle sail in Norway. (5 deg. Celsius and no snow yet!)

COMFORTS AND JOY

Buy a changing robe / poncho and use a carry bag/mat.

Often it’s a race to get warm after a cold-water session, so have a combination matt/bag at the ready to keep your feet off cold ground, reduce dirt going in your socks and help you de-suit, dress and get your feet into some warm footwear fast!

Then just zip up the suit and stop your vehicle smelling bad and keep it dry and rust-free.

STAY SAFE

Always tell someone where you plan to sail – and inform them if that launch spot differs.
Respect your ability and don’t sail alone.

There’s no shame in flaking out if the conditions are beyond you or your equipment at any time of the year. (Do a full gear check regularly summer or winter anyway! UJs, rope, boom area on mast etc.)

Avoid putting yourself and rescuers at risk - especially in fading light.

Have fun – it’s supposed to be enjoyable so do what you can to make it possible and bearable – summer’s never that far away …

STAY SAFE

Always tell someone where you plan to sail – and inform them if that launch spot differs.
Respect your ability and don’t sail alone.

There’s no shame in flaking out if the conditions are beyond you or your equipment at any time of the year. (Do a full gear check regularly summer or winter anyway! UJs, rope, boom area on mast etc.)

Avoid putting yourself and rescuers at risk - especially in fading light.

Have fun – it’s supposed to be enjoyable so do what you can to make it possible and bearable – summer’s never that far away …