This month as we head towards the coldest sea temperatures in the northern hemisphere, we ask how cold does it really get? It turns out pretty damn cold!
It’s important to be prepared for the cold water when you’re surfing. Some people might think taking the plunge in winter seas is insane; but for those of us who love surfing, braving the cold water is all part of it – and it’s definitely worth surfing throughout the long winter months. High-tech wetsuits and surf accessories make winter surfing way more comfortable these days, and in our Winter Wetsuit Guide we’ve got you covered with the best types of wetsuits for surfing in coldwater destinations across the globe.
Here are the average sea temperatures to expect throughout the winter – from the UK, all the way to Japan and Canada:
Newquay, England
- November 12°C
- December 11°C
- January 10°C
- February 9°C
- March 9°C
Peniche, Portugal
- November 18°C
- December 16°C
- January 15°C
- February 15°C
- March 15°C
Hossegor, France
- November 15°C
- December 13°C
- January 13°C
- February 12°C
- March 12°C
Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
- November 8°C
- December 7°C
- January 7°C
- February 6°C
- March 6°C
Lofoten, Norway
- November 7°C
- December 6°C
- January 6°C
- February 5°C
- March 5°C
Santa Cruz, California
- November 14°C
- December 13°C
- January 13°C
- February 12°C
- March 12°C
Scarborough, England
- November 10°C
- December 8°C
- January 7°C
- February 6°C
- March 6°C
Newfoundland, Canada
- November 4°C
- December 1°C
- January 0°C
- February -1°C
- March -1°C
Shizuoka, Japan
- November 22°C
- December 20°C
- January 18°C
- February 17°C
- March 17°C
Newquay, England
- November 12°C
- December 11°C
- January 10°C
- February 9°C
- March 9°C
Peniche, Portugal
- November 18°C
- December 16°C
- January 15°C
- February 15°C
- March 15°C
Hossegor, France
- November 15°C
- December 13°C
- January 13°C
- February 12°C
- March 12°C
Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
- November 8°C
- December 7°C
- January 7°C
- February 6°C
- March 6°C
Lofoten, Norway
- November 7°C
- December 6°C
- January 6°C
- February 5°C
- March 5°C
Santa Cruz, California
- November 14°C
- December 13°C
- January 13°C
- February 12°C
- March 12°C
Scarborough, England
- November 10°C
- December 8°C
- January 7°C
- February 6°C
- March 6°C
Newfoundland, Canada
- November 4°C
- December 1°C
- January 0°C
- February -1°C
- March -1°C
Shizuoka, Japan
- November 22°C
- December 20°C
- January 18°C
- February 17°C
- March 17°C
Nordic surf. The coldwater beauty of Norway. Photo by Sofia Wester Sjoberg
Now that you know how cold the water will be, here’s roughly how much neoprene you’ll need to wear for the different temperatures:
22°C and over – no wetsuit needed
16-19°C – 3/2mm wetsuit
13-15°C – 4/3mm wetsuit
10-12°C – 5/4mm wetsuit, 3-5mm hood, boots and gloves are recommended.
7-9°C – 5/4mm wetsuit, plus 5mm hood, boots and gloves are strongly recommended.
6°C and under – 6/5/4mm wetsuit, hood, 6mm boots and gloves are a necessity.
It’s always best to invest in the best wetsuit you can so that it will last you for more than one winter. Spending more money may seem daunting at first, but think of it as a long term investment, as it will keep you surfing throughout the season and it will mean that you won’t have to think about buying a new wetsuit next year.
Check out our wetsuit guide and wetsuit accessories by clicking the buttons below:
