Getting Ready for Winter
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 13:59
Hi, I am a north shore kiter. starting to get ready for Kiting this winter. I want to buy a Drysuit, but this being my first season, have no idea what i should buy. Please help with some advice.
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 14:17
#1
not sure if kitesurfing would
not sure if kitesurfing would differ from normal surfing but for me I would never wear a dry suit. That thing tears and your a boat anchor. I wear the mutant and that keeps me good w/ anything above 40.
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 15:06
#2
Sinking
According to Ocean Rodeo's FAQ:
If I tear my dry suit, will it fill with water and make me sink?
In the unlikely event of major rip occurring on your dry suit you will not be dragged to the bottom. Water is neutrally buoyant in water, so there is no “weight” to pull you down. Also, the outer skin layer places external pressure on the dry core bladder minimizing the amount of water that could enter through a rip. Note: In big surf wearing a dry-suit or a wetsuit, it is always advisable to wear additional Floatation (Floatation / Impact vest).
If there were a tear, it seems to me like the bigger risk with a tear would be hypothermia depending on how fast it fills up and how quickly you can get to shore. Personally I use a 6/5 wetsuit for cold weather, but it is an absolute bear to get on & off.
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 16:00
#3
I can't mentally think about
I can't mentally think about winter yet. I did just buy a snowboard the other day though.
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 16:57
#4
Good info there! My personal
Good info there! My personal thoughts are as follows.
The winter is cold but the wind is killer. With the right gear you can be safe and have a lot of fun.
You can debate between a drysuit or a thick wetsuit forever.
Drysuits are the shit and allow you to jump out of the cold water and still be totally warm vs having to peel off a soaking wetsuit in a cold parking lot and freeze your manhood off. They also avoid that initial being cold before your body heat warms up the wetsuit. You can get around this by bringing a couple thermoses of hot water to the beach but its still not instantaneous.
Wetsuits I think offer the absolutely safest way to stay warm but have the huge downside of having to take them off. Also if you stand on the beach for any period of time, say between sessions, the water can leek out and you will get real cold in the wind and unless you buy a very high end suit they are pretty uncomfortable and and really restrict movement in your arms.
You also need to evaluate what kind of conditions you are going out in. If you are only going to go out if it is above 45 out its not as bad changing in the parking lots.
If you are going to really go out during the middle of the winter when it is in the 30's or below I think a dry suit is the best option. (but thats just my opinion)
In addition to temperature you need to consider your riding style and where you ride. I was out on the water this past February when it was under 30 degrees out and the water temp wasnt much higher and having a blast while people looked at me like I was crazy. That being said I was riding fairly conservatively and in straight onshore conditions never going much more than 50 yards off the beach and staying in shallow water.
I personally wear the NPX Lucifer drysuit. There are a few reviews and comments about it on the forum if you do a search for that name. I love it, find it super comfortable extremely warm and reliable. Easy to swim in has a lot of kite designed functionality. That being said I have heard a lot of people talk down on the suit saying its more for style then function etc but I would strongly disagree and have never talked to someone who actually owned the suit that did not love it. Unfortunately like kites and boards a lot of this comes down to personal preference and being comfortable with your gear.
Best advice I think is to go try some on. See what fits your body best, I do know one draw back to the NPX is it does not have in between sizes like s/m etc. I know JohnnyD and many others love the Ocean Rodeo's.
In addition to a drysuit/or wetsuit it is equally important to have the right boots, gloves, and hat or hood. This is more a question of thickness vs. manufacturer however you def want pre-curved gloves or you will get serious fatigue trying to grip the bar. Check out Glacier Gear for these. I rocked a 2mm pair all winter and they were surprisingly warm.
If you want to talk more about the NPX or my thoughts on drysuits shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to answer anything I can
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 17:41
#5
can't think about this now
I have the OR suit and like it a great deal. Easy on, easy off, nice and warm. A couple of layers of poly pro long underwear, 7 MM boots, 3 mm sealed and taped kayaking gloves (precurved to make holding the bar easier) and a 5 mm hood and I am good for about an hour on the water and all the set up and breakdown time after.
Usually, its my hands that get cold and make me want to call it quits. I have tried thicker gloves and they don't help. I at least, end up with tired cold hands with the thick gloves. They are also what gets cold when I run or ski though.
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 17:51
#6
its a simple question, to pee
its a simple question, to pee or not to pee, ive been surfing up here for 20+ years and i like to pee, so rubber is my vote!
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 18:33
#7
ahahaha NPX has a pee zip
ahahaha NPX has a pee zip best thing ever cause by the time I get my kite ready I always have to piss just a tradition now
Tue, 07/20/2010 - 18:42
#8
November
Let's restart this discussion in November!...I'm thinking about board shorts and 90 degree weather for this weekend.
Wed, 07/21/2010 - 07:03
#9
Dry suit solution
You can open the zipper or...
Wed, 07/21/2010 - 08:37
#10
Wetsuit for sure....
Esp in waves.
In non wave conditions, drysuit is the way to go. Easier on/off.
I plan on having both this season !
Thu, 07/22/2010 - 00:06
#11
The Ocean Rodeo Pyro Pro
The Ocean Rodeo Pyro Pro opened up a whole new world to me. Super comfort down to 28 degrees air temp