If freezing air temperatures or cold water write-off your windsurfing in the middle of winter then check out at this new product from Kitesurfing brand Ocean Rodeo. Of course drysuits are not new for inland sailors, but if you’re going in the waves and want the benefits of a drysuit, and the streamlined fit of a wetsuit for when you have to swim for it, then this is a serious contender.

The Surf Dry comes with a regular Drysuit ‘core’ and a super thin 0.5 -1.5mm neoprene outer skin with a 3mm hood attached. After a couple of goes, it’s easy to put on and take off fast, and you can adjust the layers underneath according to the activity and temperature. Base layers such as those for mountain, bike, or running use are perfect and Ocean Rodeo recommends all-in-one-fleece suits for artic use. You could even use a thermal rash vest -just watch you don’t overlap the neckguard and the neck seal! This test used it in Irish winter air temperatures from 0 - 8 degrees Celsius/32 -45 Fahrenheit for surfing and windsurfing in open ocean conditions with good swell and sea temps of no more than 45 Fahrenheit/8 Celsius, including two sessions with much colder mountain water running out of a rivermouth break. The suit could definitely go into way colder water or air temps than this for sure, and, as it’s developed and tested in Canada, I’m confident it would.

Drysuit vs. Wetsuit

For pure windsurfing use you almost can’t beat a decent smoothskin suit, they’re warm, well-shaped, easy to don and doff, but they’re often susceptible to tears and seam damage, plus they’re not ideal for a long swim or use for other sports such as surfing. Tear a drysuit, and sure, you could be in trouble. But the Surf Dry triple layers mean you have a good chance any rips would be on the skin, not the dry core or your own skin, and if there was a leak, the way the ‘shrink-wrap’ outer skin clads the dry core would restrict water entry just as it helps to expel air. Modern double-lined superstretch winter surf suits are also great but the forearm fit can often be an issue for windsurfers, so again a drysuit is great for expanding forearms and comfort. Although there are wrinkles from the outer skin pulling it in tight, the Surf Dry feels comfortable against the skin thanks to those inner layers.

The other noticeable difference is the buoyancy. Of course you should be sure to wear buoyancy anyway, but if you’re surfing in the suit, whose two layers ironically weigh less than one 5mm wetsuit, and you’ve burped all the air out of it properly, you float way less, which equals deeper duck dives in heavy winter swell.

3 Layers - More Flexibility?

Ocean Rodeo’s claim of superior arm and shoulder movement than a modern surf suit is true. It’s hard to believe until you’ve tried it, but the range of arm swing and knee bend is actually better than a superstretch wetsuit. You’d notice this more surfing than sailing.

On a cold day you’re still gonna have to man-up and slide into cold gloves, hood and boots, but it’s amazing just sliding back into the core after a break and then driving home dry afterwards. But good wicking base layers are vital to avoid feeling damp from sweat. And if the water is cold, you do feel a temporary cool sensation against your skin with just basic base layers, but fleece layers make a big difference -in fact, I tested a regular top and fleece bottom in the same session and it was a big contrast, although that sensation’s only for a few seconds while immersed. And you’re still totally windproof too. To be honest though, when surfing, that cool sensation is nice, as you get a lot hotter than you do with most windsurfing sessions. Maybe it’s the effort used while paddling, but it’s probably because the suit is breathing less when underwater.

Most importantly, you can definitely stay out for longer. I think that’s the biggest benefit. Once married with the Holy Grail of windsurfing gloves it could make polar conditions a pleasure.

Don’t Pee in Your Suit!

Caution! You’ll need to err, regulate your hydration! Not that I’ve ever peed in my wetsuit of course, but you’ll need to make sure you’re hydrated but don’t need to go otherwise you’re gonna have to get to shore and undress! Also on the point of hydration, you’ll need to have fluid on board as you can sweat a fair bit too, although just sailing up and down with the odd jump is fine. Wetsuits function on your body heating a thin layer of water, but with the drysuit you’re simply maintaining an air temperature, (you’re generating heat and the fabric’s breathing the excess out), so it’s taking less from your body and retaining more warmth, and that’s what’s probably giving you the extra time on the water. Saying that, although you’re supposed to warm up before activity anyway, you definitely need to get some blood pumping before you get wet to make sure that air is warm before you hit the water
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