Even if the winter was mild on our coast, the cold finally took over in the middle of January. But that does not dissuade the most ardent surfers that do not care about weather when it comes to enjoying their favorite pastime. Here is some advice on how to surf in cold water with an easy conscience.
Beware of UV!
Even in the winter, it is important to protect your skin from UV radiation. Even if the UV Index is lower than in summer, the negative effects of UV on the skin can still happen! Indeed, not getting sunburned does not mean that exposure is without risk. UVA, whose effects are not immediately visible, is responsible for premature skin aging.
Furthermore, even when it is cloudy, much UV light is not filtered! Be sure to wear sunscreen, even if it is not high SPF.
After the session, do not forget to moisturize your skin.
The salt, the water, the wind… all things that can easily irritate your skin and dry it out. What follows is tingling sensations or irritations. To avoid this, after each session it is a good idea to moisturize your skin with a moisturizing product, such as an After-Sun.
Do not Just Protect your Skin!
Obviously, protecting your skin is not the only precaution to take before getting in the water in the winter! A long warm-up, a good wetsuit and earplugs/a hood can help prevent “brain freeze” (aka “ice cream headaches”) getting in the water and for those first duck dives.
