Bringing women to the Srface of cold water surfing
When you’re in that space between land and sea - floating between sets - time becomes almost non-existent. You’re on the ocean’s clock. Even in a full line-up, nothing or nobody else matters. It is just you, your board and your wetsuit, sitting and waiting for another wave.
Hugging tight to every curve of your body, that suit is your lifeline, particularly in these cold months. Each millimetre determines how long you can endure the freezing water temperatures. It determines your wave count. It determines just how long your body can delay the inevitable cold. It is the single most important piece of kit you need to survive these months. Pulling on my new 5/4 Srface hooded heat suit in the car park, chatting to friends and watching the smoke of my breathe as I exhale deeply, I kept these things in mind.
A couple of meters away from the water’s edge, I stop to pull on my hood and strap on my leash. I fasten my chest zip and tuck it in to its compartment before picking up my board. My feet hit the water, but I don’t feel the cold through my 7mm boots. It’s exactly in this moment when I look out to the horizon that I know what kind of surf I’m about to have. No matter how big or small the waves are, there’s always a cocktail of nervousness and excitement brewing inside me. Jumping onto my board and stretching my arms out for the paddle, I’m determined.
The paddle out is easier in my new 5/4 and despite being thinner than my old 6mm, I’m cosier thanks to its fleece lining. Turtle rolling a couple of waves, my hood stays firmly in place, no water trickling down into the body of my suit. I make it out back and take a breath.
As I wait for a set, straddling my board, I settle into my new suit. Stretching my arms out with ease, I enjoy its flexibility and comfort, impressed with the spot on size finder. Paddling into my first wave, I pop up and peer right as I turn on my backhand down the line.
“It’s this feeling we all long for yet struggle to describe with words. The ocean’s clock slows down in these moments - they are fleeting yet feel like forever. ”
Paddling back with a smile, feeling the softness of my chinstrap against my face, friends in the line-up acknowledge my wave with a nod. Despite any initial feelings, that first one always sets the scene for what kind of surf you’re really going to have.
Two hours later, I catch one last one into the shore. By now the cold usually creeps up into my spine, but I’m still toasty. Unzipping my chest zip back at the van, I pull off my hood with a quick tug and to my disbelief, my hair is still dry. Stepping into my surf bucket and quickly peeling off my neoprene, I throw on my towelled robe and knew despite the 30 day trial I wouldn’t be sending this wetsuit back.
Daughters of the Sea is proud to work with Srface and other brands we truly believe in. Please get in touch with us via our website, by email or social media for a discount code.
