Why a Thicker Wetsuit is Essential for Winter Surfing in San Diego
Since 1962, PB Surf Shop has catered to surfers of all levels, with surf lessons in San Diego, as well as quality gear (both retail and for rental). We know how to “read” the local waves and conditions. However, winter surfing is a different animal altogether. The waves are more challenging, and the waters are colder. A comfortable neoprene wetsuit that has greater thickness is a must for warding off potential hypothermia, as well as keeping you more comfortable so you can enjoy longer sessions on the swells.
Whether it’s a durable wetsuit with a back zip or a chest zip, thickness matters!
Upgrading your gear to be more seasonally appropriate provides a safer way to hit the swells all year long.
Understanding San Diego’s Winter Wave Conditions
San Diego is a great place to ride the waves year-round. It’s consistently ranked as a top surfing location, but things really get cranked up during the colder months!
Ocean conditions worldwide are affected during the chilly times of year: powerful storms, unpredictable wind conditions, and plummeting water temperatures combine to impact the waves all around the globe. This is one reason that this time of year provides an extra thrill. In fact, winter or early spring wave conditions can be so dramatic that some of the biggest competitions are held at this time of year in different parts of the world.
Even if you’re not competing, the offshore winds combine with storms throughout the Atlantic and Pacific to create exceptional swells. That offers unique challenges to sharpen up your skills and enjoy a really thrilling ride.
In San Diego, the water temperatures often drop into the upper 50s (F) (that alone is reason enough to zip yourself into a thicker wetsuit).
Waves become more challenging, but remain pretty consistent overall, so you can always count on a great session. Depending on storm conditions at sea, the swells may become larger than normal. As one of the country’s leading surf schools, we don’t recommend them for beginners out there on their own. However, as part of a group lesson or advanced lessons, you can enjoy them under safe supervision.
Benefits of a Thicker Wetsuit for Cold Weather Surfing
Between colder winds and ocean water, choosing a thicker wetsuit for extra warmth, comfort, and safety is a critical piece of equipment. Typical wetsuits run between 1mm of thickness for warm water conditions to 6mm for more frigid waves.
A good average wetsuit thickness for off-season surfing in San Diego is either 3/2 or 4/3 mms. These two numbers represent the thickness of neoprene material covering the chest and torso area (the first number), with the second number representing the thickness of the panels covering the arms and legs.
The added insulation related to the thickness of the wetsuit wards off hypothermia, allowing you to spend more time on the waves.
1. Cold Water Protection
The neoprene wetsuit keeps you warm by snugly trapping a thin layer of water bubbles against your skin. It’s not glued directly to you, but is close enough to create a tiny space between the wetsuit and the skin.
This layer is warmed by your own body. The wetsuit thickness matters because a thicker amount of neoprene in the suit allows that water layer to stay warmer for longer.
Dangerous hypothermia can set in quickly, anywhere from minutes to an hour. The result can be falling into unconsciousness before you know it. A thicker wetsuit better maintains a comfortable temperature in your arms, legs, chest, and torso, allowing you to safely spend more time in the water.
2. Enhanced Comfort and Flexibility
Made of durable, advanced materials like neoprene, wetsuits of all weights are designed to be worn close to the chest and legs, and to move with your body. Even a thicker wetsuit is still flexible, but that slightly heavier thickness keeps your core body temperature, as well as your arms and legs, at a healthy, comfortable level. It will allow you the same degree of stretch as a lighter-weight wetsuit.
3. Longer Sessions
A thicker neoprene wetsuit allows you to stay on the waves for longer periods in cold months (including a chilly spring).
Besides a chest-zip wetsuit, other pieces of gear can protect you from the harsh conditions of surfing at this time of year. Because it’s not just the waves, it’s the wind chill.
4. Protection from Wind Chill
Wind chill speeds up the rate at which natural warmth is lost from the body. When you’re doing off-season surfing, add extra gear like boots, gloves, and a hood. Like the thicker wetsuit, it prevents your body heat from escaping.
5. Safety and Performance
In warmer months, the risks of hypothermia while surfing in San Diego aren’t as much of an issue. However, even though we’re talking about California, ocean temperatures can drop dramatically in the colder months.
Being properly outfitted will ward off hypothermia and the effects of wind chill, allowing you to focus on the ride comfortably and stay on the board for longer periods of time.
Choosing the Right Wetsuit for San Diego Winters
With water temperatures dropping to the 50s (F) in San Diego winters, a cold water surfing wetsuit of 4/3mm is a typical choice. However, your own personal comfort and tolerance for cold will factor into your choice of wetsuit.
Also, take into account the time of day you prefer. For example, early mornings on the beach will be chillier than afternoons.
For surfing at this time of year, we strongly recommend adding a hood to keep heat from leaching out through the top of your head. Booties are also a great idea for staying comfortable, especially if you prefer hitting the beach in the early morning or in the spring. A wetsuit with either a chest zip or a back zip closure is designed to hug the body for a perfect fit.
PB Surf Shop in San Diego offers wetsuit rental, along with all of the other gear (including top brands like Billabong) that you might need for that bit of extra warmth in chillier conditions.
Final Thoughts: Stay Warm, Safe, and Do More
Cold-weather surfing in San Diego offers an experience like no other! There are far fewer crowds on the beach or on the water, and the wave conditions are both thrilling and consistent. But certain safety conditions must be taken into account. Compensate for the colder temperatures and wind chill conditions with the proper gear (like the right wetsuit) to allow you to stay out there comfortably, and for longer periods.
For decades, we’ve been a reliable partner for surfers, both the experienced and the aspiring. We offer private lessons in San Diego (as well as group lessons), and carry the quality wetsuits and gear from leading brands (like Billabong) to make every session one to remember.
Just because it’s a little chilly outside doesn’t mean you have to stay away from the beach. Pull on a thicker wetsuit and the right equipment to protect against the elements, and get out there!
