Surviving the Corona Winter
Issue 7 / Tue 2nd Mar, 2021
Casper Steinfath is a household name to most of us who have been in the SUP world for a while, the Corona Virus meant his winter plans for training were upended, but he managed to swap palm trees for frozen seas as he stayed home in Denmark. He shares some tips for cold weather survival sessions this issue!
Legendary waterman Casper Steinfath joins us this issue to share with us his experiences of being stuck in Denmark for the winter. Usually, Casper would be travelling the world surfing epic waves, but instead of reaching for the sunscreen this winter, he was reaching for the rubber!
You know that feeling?
The feeling right before your soul is about to slowly get sucked out of you by that wet wetsuit in your hands. It's not quite frozen, but very well within that uncomfortable wet and cold state. Your mind is rationally attempting to convince your galloping survival instincts that putting on this frigid wetsuit is ultimately for the greater good.
Personally? The feeling of putting on a damp cold suit is among the absolute worst I know. There is no way around it. It sucks. Although, I have experienced that when successfully putting on that unpleasant suit, it more often than not leads me to some of the most rewarding sessions on the water.
Growing up surfing in the cold waters of Scandinavia definitely had its perks. If anything, playing in cold water became normalised for me. Paddling in shorts and bare chest was more of an anomaly than wearing my 6/5 mm neoprene suit. From a young age, I learned that surfing subzero temperatures has its own beauty and was totally enjoyable if I dressed properly for it.
I want to say this attitude was instilled deep in my DNA, but in all honesty, this Corona winter has put my so-called resilience to the test.
Did anyone say Corona?
Like most people, my life was also strongly affected by the arrival of the Coronavirus and the world wide restrictions that accompanied it. In a normal year, I travel between 6-8 months for SUP competitions, training, and events all over the world. In 2020 I hardly packed my suitcase at all.
When things/shit hit the fan in early 2020, I tried to adapt and make the most of it. At first, it was VERY frustrating to see all my competitive dreams and planned adventure projects go down the gutter. Though, I quickly realised I could probably make something good out of this forced break from my usual life pattern. So I hit the "reset" button and focused on other things aside from my life as a professional athlete.
I quickly got busy! Together with two good friends, I started my own surf school at home in Cold Hawaii called "Viking Adventures". This was something I had wanted to do for many years but never had the time for while on the road. Helping friends and clients improve their surfing and paddling skills was an absolutely unexpected high note for me this summer. I was reminded that it can be equally rewarding to help someone else break a barrier as for myself.
Bracing for the Winter
As autumn and winter crept closer, it was clear that Covid-19 was not just here for a quick cup of tea. For me, it was a very humbling realisation that this was not just a short "sprint" but actually a very long "marathon" we were collectively dealing with.
Winter has always been a highlight of mine. It is a time where I usually come home to celebrate Christmas and the off-season with my family before my new season kicks off sometime in mid-January. While the prospect of being confined (read: stuck) to the homely northern latitudes all winter does not exactly incite happiness or stoke among most Danes, I was totally over the moon!
I think winter is totally underrated! Why?
Well, I think one of the reasons I am so fond of winter is because every single session on the water feels like a micro-adventure. From the limited hours of daylight to the frigid temperatures and the wild waves; Winter turns up the knob for those willing to accept the challenge. The contrasts, the risks and the rewards are all higher.
Some of my best memories at home were when I back in 2018 trained for the Viking Crossing across the 145 km Skagerrak Strait between Denmark and Norway. Paddling in subzero temperatures with a headlamp in the dark, forced me to push my own skills to a new level in order to properly dance with Mother Nature. Winter surfing or paddling is by no means easy, but it is within this extra element of challenge that I find inspiration and energy.
Suddenly, the simplest of sessions become magical because of the harsh natural elements one has to overcome. Upon returning indoors, our red and wind-kissed cheeks remind us of that thrilling feeling of being alive.
Winter is not easy. But I am grateful to have been stuck at home in Cold Hawaii during this Corona Winter.
Managing Cold Water
Growing up in Denmark, there is no way around cold water. Even though temperatures are not tropical, there is still every opportunity to have fun and go adventure on the water. With the right clothing, gear, and mindset, I don't think cold water should be a game stopper.
In the end, I think it really just comes down to adopting the right mindset. I accept that in the latitudes I am from, we just don't have palm trees and our perception of what good conditions are might include a fair amount of rain, snow and low temperatures. I try to focus on what is instead of what could be.
Tips on SUP'ing and foiling in cold water for some, it may be discouraging to ride in such cold water, but if they had some tips and tricks, they might be more motivated.
Are you having a hard time getting out the door and into the water? I don't blame you! I feel the exact same way very often when training in the winter.
In order to apply the right mindset, there definitely are some simple "dos" and "don'ts" that generally can make your cold water adventure more pleasant and lift your motivation. You can use these tips whether you are just going for a stroll on your SUP on the local lake, taking on waves at the beach, or taking flight on your foil:
Change somewhere warm
In my experience, the single hardest part about winter activity on the water is changing into my wetsuit or drysuit. The exposure from the elements while half-naked and changing into your suit in a rainy parking lot can be enough to stop your session before it even begins. So, if possible, try to change somewhere sheltered or ideally at home before driving to the spot.
Invest in good wetsuits or drysuits
Too thin or worn out of a suit is also a session killer. Trust me, your future self will love you for investing in the right equipment to keep you warm. Using inadequate gear for the conditions will shorten your sessions and not make it as fun. Investing that bit more in good equipment is well worth it and keeps you in for the long run.
Bring warm water for gloves and boots
Many times my neoprene gloves and boots don't quite dry out between my sessions. And starting out on an already cold adventure with frozen toes or fingers is not advisable. A life hack that I have discovered many years too late is bringing a thermos with warm water. It can literally turn your session from average to epic !!
Bring a friend along for motivation
Nothing can motivate you quite like a paddling partner. When winter gets rough over here in Viking Land, I enjoy some company to jump on the water with. Even if the waves aren't great, we can at least talk some trash with each other 🙂
Stay out of the wind and keep moving
Standing in the same place too long is not a great idea. I like to think of winter paddling or surfing as a constant motion from the moment I leave my front door to the moment I come back through it. Standing around in the parking lot or on the beach for too long leaves one open to windchill and rapid cooling.
Give yourself a "Carrot"
When my motivation hits zero, and I can't make it out the door, I resort to the oldest trick in the book: the promise of gold and fortune 😉 Paddling in winter can feel like a huge adventure, where we face "dragons" and all kinds of challenges along the way. Therefore, I believe it's important we reward ourselves at the end in some way. For me, that is usually with a Danish Pastry from the local bakery.
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By Casper Steinfath
