winter gear talk for winging

Many have their hard opinions on winter gear for kiting and winging. I've gathered my thoughts and insights on the subject after 15 years of kiting and winging in the winter, and put them in this video.

[awareness]

When it's really cold, a light kayak paddle jacket over your wetsuit can save the day. A good way to test grip tackiness of gloves and mitts is to slide them across glass. If they slip on glass, reject them.

[dcharlton]

I LOVED the Dakine mitts as they kept me warm and minimized the forearm fatigue. I'm now pretty happy with the Kokatats for Winging. I try using them even on warmer days in late fall to get used to them for the season. Great vid as always!

[mortenjensen]

Hi
Great subjekt.
One of the local winger's here in scandinavia rarely uses boots or cloves and he is on the water 2 out of 3 days all yeah.
He is using the Lewis Huntings Response method.
Gets to the beach, makes sure to stay warm while rigging.
Goes winging for no more than 15 min. And then takes a break on shore maybe with a dryrope on.
Moves feet and hands until they get warm. Then he can continue surfing with warm hands and feet.
The Thing is to do this before the hands and feet are cold.
The body stays warm and learns that all is well and then blod is let out to the arms and feet again
Maybe start with less than 15 min. Before the break.
Its a matter of practise apparently.
Me I'm in 7 mm. Boots and Kokatat mittens.

[adriaanvandijk]

I had the ion fuse (windsurfing), thing was hot, but you could not swim in it, just too much material. Swimming after your gear was a no go. Sold it and bought a American brand Matuse tumo 6/5, with hood. Best one I’ve ever owned. 5th or 6th yr in use. The forearm fatigue depends on the brand. You have to try and find the brand that works for you. I had pro limit. Too narrow and I was stuffing coke bottles in it after each session to widen them. Mittens, only open palm. Not the warmest, but no additional strain and you can take part of your hand out and only leave in the index and thumb, for maximum flexibility. If needed you can fold them back completely. Great vids.

[AdamsHadEnough]

Great to hear your thoughts on this. As I was halfway through it I was wondering if you were going to mention the thing where your hands freeze, you warm them up then are good to go again. When I explain this to my fairweather friends I am pretty sure they think I am high. I ride with pre-curved paddling mitts with the palms cut out and dish gloves underneath. They suck, but it is the best solution I have found so far.

[christomo]

💯 agree with you I'm already in 7mm boots and I use 6/4 mystic hooded wetsuit and as you know palmless gloves don't forget washing up gloves under them if really cold or 3mm glove max . A windproof running jacket is a massive help if super cold we have same temps as you .
Great delivery on film and super useful information thanks for the mention top man.
Wicked new year to you . Laters bud

[paddleboarddog]

Thanks for this. I can relate a lot with many of the gear choices and logic behind the decisions.
It's encouraging me to try out some different glove options as I've just made what I've had work so far and there is room for improvement in the winter.

[DaveSails]

For open palm mitts, I've tried the NP and the Mystic. I liked the NP better for winging because the palm opening is smaller. The Mystic mitt opening was so big wind was blowing in even when holding onto the handles (F-one Strike and Duotone Unit)

[pheelers]

I was out in May last year with 13C ambient temp. I cant do it, personally have to wait till mid June, 4/3 suit all summer and 2mm booties. When you get far enough from shore (50ft<) inland Canada, its always cold.

[fapfpv]

Great vid. I'm with you on gloves prefer the thinner ones for a more direct feel 👍

For forearm what about one of those gyroscope power ball things ? 🤔

[mbrecker]

Hey, a powerball is way you can easily train your wrists and forearm in your house. You basically control a spinning ball centrifugal forces by swinging your wrists. If it spins fast enough you will feel the burn in your muscles in minutes. Also try to get one with auto start.

[adjkerf]

I’m currently trying to build wrist/forearm strength using a resistance band. You can find many exercises on YT and it’s easy to do from home. Really hope it can extend the winter sessions, but I have yet to see the results! 🤞🏻😅

Keep up the great videos! 🙌🏻😄Cheers from Denmark

[bmrbca]

Check YT for golf and tennis elbow strength and rehab exercises. Lots of good ones to help with building strength and stretching the tendons and muscles of the forearm, shoulders, and lats. Yes, shoulders and lats. They come into play and effect the tendons in the forearms.

[JaredWilliams]

That's some high quality content. I'm gonna have to try some glacier gloves again. I'm just a huge fan of the 3 finger np lobster claws but they don't make them anymore so when mine wear out I'm gonna need something else

[aquaman]

Excel Drylock 6/4, no wrist tightness and very flexible throughout. Drysuites suck. They ALL fail in time and can be dangerous when they fail. Level up your warmth with inexpensive wind breaker jacket and pants. Mitts over gloves when air temp below 8 c.