When it's cold and uncomfortable outside, the weaker self often stubbornly resists the idea of ​​getting on a SUP board. But even in winter there are opportunities to paddle on the water, as long as it is not frozen over. In this article we will therefore go into the advantages and disadvantages of stand up paddling in winter and give valuable tips on how to move safely and comfortably on the board even in wintry temperatures.

In our latitudes, the SUP season begins in March and ends at the beginning of November at the latest. Many boarders limit themselves even further to the warm months from May to the end of September in order not to get cold on the stand up paddle board. Nevertheless, we are interested in extending the season a little further or even extending it to the whole year. Therefore the price question: SUP in winter – go to the sea or wait for spring?

SUP in winter - yes or no?

A quick overview

• In theory, you can do Stand Up Paddling all year round – SUP is also possible in winter.
• What should I watch out for if I want to get on the SUP board in the cold season?
• When should I do without a SUP tour in winter?
• What do I have to consider and what security measures should I take?

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SUP in winter - Stand Up Paddling for die-hards

While it can often get around 10 degrees Celsius in December, Germany freezes completely to death in January and February at the latest. Permanent frost, wind and snow make all outdoor activities a horror. Even daily jogging is reduced to a few times a week. But now get on the stand up paddle board and get into the water.

SUP in winter – is it even possible? Theoretically yes! With the right clothing, stand up paddlers can easily get on the board even in winter. Images keep cropping up of boarders paddling across a lake while standing in thick snow and ice. But when temperatures are severely below zero, even hardcore SUP fans will want to swap the board for a cozy indoor activity.

SUP in winter - the pros and cons

Stand Up Paddling is a wonderful sport that can actually be practiced all year round. Even in winter, many paddlers stand on their boards and enjoy nature. But there are also some disadvantages that should be considered when SUPing in winter. We have taken a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages and tell you what you should pay attention to.

Advantages of SUP in winter

• the water is often calmer than in summer
• Hardly any other water sports enthusiasts on site
• harder training in winter

Disadvantages of SUP in winter

• the cold can become painful
• Wetsuit a must
• Don't forget gloves and shoes
• the water is very cold, you mustn't fall in
• go at least with two people

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Prepare well for the SUP tour in winter

If you want to paddle in winter, you should prepare well. Dress in layers so you can take off your clothes if you get too warm. Don't forget your neoprene gloves, hat and sunglasses to protect you from the elements. It's also a good idea to bring a towel and dry clothes in case of a fall.

Last but not least, make sure you have the right equipment. A good wetsuit or drysuit will keep you warm and dry, and a SUP leash will protect you if you fall into the water. Under no circumstances would I go on a board in winter without a suitable, sufficiently thick wetsuit.

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This is the right clothing for SUP in winter

The main problem with SUP in winter is one thing: you definitely don't want to come into contact with the ice-cold water because if you were unprotected you would probably freeze to death within a few minutes. That's why good protection is necessary, because it can always happen that you lose your balance on your SUP board and fall into the water. By then you should really be warmly insulated.

And of course a wetsuit comes in handy. For a short fall into the water, even a 3 millimeter wetsuit should be sufficient. If you fall into it more often and don't want to end your tour immediately, you should perhaps switch to a 6 to 7 millimeter semi-dry suit, which is often used in a similar form in diving. Because this suit takes advantage of penetrating water, warms it with the help of your body temperature and thus ensures that your SUP trip in winter does not end immediately and abruptly.

Personally, I use a 7 millimeter semi-dry suit from Xcel, which keeps me so warm that it can only be used in really cold temperatures. If the air and water temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius, you start to boil in your suit and voluntarily throw yourself into the water to cool down!

Stand Up Paddling in sub-zero temperatures - is SUP right for me in winter?

My conclusion

I don't know about you, but doing voluntary outdoor sports in winter takes a lot of discipline! But as is often the case, you can be really proud of yourself afterwards. Because SUP in winter also has its advantages: the lake or sea is empty and when there is no wind, it is really quiet! No people, no animals, no boats.

You simply have the water to yourself! If that's not an advantage, I don't know what is. And the suit really keeps you warm, even more so than a winter jacket. You can really enjoy your SUP tours in winter and draw strength from the peace and quiet. Just when preparing the SUP. You get a parking space close to the water and not every five seconds someone comes by to ask what you're doing there.

Do you go stand-up paddling in winter or would you rather wait for spring? What are your tips for SUP in winter? Share your experiences in the comments.