Wearing the right gear when doing watersports is so important to help have the best time and stay safe and warm.
Watersports have always been popular, but since covid, we’ve since a suge in people getting on the water to enjoy paddleboarding, windsurfing and wing foiling.
This guide will help you to understand what clothing options are available, along with the pros and cons of each.
Why do we need special clothing for watersports?
In the UK we have a short summer, then we move into colder seasons, which can be tough on anyone doing sports outside, especially when in the water.
Getting too cold can bring on problems such as hypothermia, whilst overheating and lack of mobility can bring about its own problems.
As a paddleboarder, windsurfer or wing foiler, you’ll need to consider each sport on its own merits and also consider when you’re going to be engaging in those activities to make an informed decision on what to buy.
What are the main factors that dictate the need for watersports clothing?
- The weather has a big effect on what you need to wear when on the water. Cold wind and rain can make any sports like windsurfing or winging, more exhausting and when you get tired your core body temperature drops.
- Wind for paddleboarders adds more strain into the effort required, but you need to be flexible as well as warm.
- Windsurfing and winging generally happens when its windy, you need need to be warm, whilst having a flexible suit, especially over the shoulders.
- Surfing, means the person is my consistently submerged and this means you need even more protection from the cold, but at the same time need to be flexible to be able to pop up when catching a wave.
The role of watersports clothing
Depending on the type of clothing we’re talking about, the main roles of watersports clothing are:
- Heading out in warm weather, you’re going to need something to be light, flexible and help to keep you cool.
- It’s main goal is to help control your body temperature and keep you comfortable when you’re on and in the water.
- Going out in colder weather, means you need clothing that keeps you warm, but is also breathable and flexible as you don’t want to sweat.
Does it make send for younger and older people to wear different clothing?
It’s not a simple clean cut answer, but in general, older people may feel the cold more, but that also goes for skinnier people. Either way, it goes without saying that you need to try a suit on before buying it and make sure it’s a good fit.
As an older person it is probably worth reading an article we wrote about older people taking up windsurfing.
What sort of weather can you get away without a suit
This really depends on the person. Someone like myself uses a shortie wetsuit right into October and then from April, but that said many of my friends are in longer suits that help keep y0u warmer.
You can get thicker shortie suits and coule match this with some slip on shoes as it will help keep your main body warm.
In the summer a full lenth suit may not be necessary and you may even find you’re getting too hot, so this is when you can start considered shorties or even combos like leggings and neoprene vest tops etc.
Summer is also a time when you could be wearning board shorts and rash vests, but this really depends on where you’re based. Down here on the south coast, West Sussex, we have particularly warm seas, but up north it get a lot colder and so boardies may not work.
What sort of watersports clothing is available?
Wetsuits
Full length
A full length suit will have full length arms and legs. It is important to properly fit this suit as it can be restrcitive if it is too tight.
You get different types of neoprene which will also effect the fit and flexibility so it is really worth trying suits on for fits and comfort.
Shorties
Short suits are great for use in the summer as they add a lot of warmth, are massively flexile.
Cheaper suit can feel stiffer, so have a go with brand like O’Neill if you need more flex over the shoulders.
Drysuits
These sorts of suit are great for the deeper winter months, but can also be used mid season if you get a specific watersports one that is lighter and flexible. I have an ION suit that is tally sealed from the elements and you match it up with booties and gloves if necessary. I use it when driving the rib in mid winter.
Alternative clothing
Leggings and top
These are great options as they’re lightweight, flexible and can be mix and matched depending on the day and weather.
Rash vests
The basic rash vest, will keep off the lightest breeze, but doesn’t generally have any waming properties. It’s more about looking good and making it easier to get on and off boarders as it reduces chest rash.
Board shorts
Shorts are just for comfort. Easy to wear with a rash vest and quick drying in the summer, so you can run in and out of the water.
Footwear
Whilst it is not crucial, some people prefer to wear something on their feet, maybe because they’re on a stoney floor or they get cold.
Booties
Neoprene boots range in price massively and are made by many brands. They’re there to keep your feet wamt and offer a little comfort underfoot when walking around. In the winter they’re way more important as cold feet and toes can be really painful. They can be a real pain to get on and off and are easily torn if you’re not careful.
Slip on shoes
These are the easiest to wear and can offer plenty of warmth and comfort. They’re much easier to get on and off compared to full length booties.
Useful accessories
It is also quite useful to consider other clothing items that can be helpful, depending on conditions, which may help improve your experience.
Hat or cap
Keeping the sun off is important and it also help to reflect glare.
Sunglasses
As with hats and caps, sunglasses are great for keeping the sun out of your eyes or sand out of your eyes if it is windy. Just remember to get a glasses strap in case you drop them in the water.
Sunscreen
Don’t forget to protect agains the sun and help reduce the chaes of sunburn and cancer.
Hydration
This is a big one as dehydration can be a real problem, especially on hot days. Keeping a container with water will help to improve your hydration and condition when on the water.
Summary
What you can see here is that each type of suit or combination of watersports clothing has different properties and benefits different conditions.
For windsurfing around the UK, we generally use wetsuits, be they long or short. This is based on the time of year, and where you’re based as up north it is a lot colder.
Wing foiling is much like windsurfing and needs a wetstuit or shortie.
Paddleboarding can be anything really, as combos like leggings and wetsuit vests are really comfortable and flexible.
