cold? nah!

i hate being cold. and i hate to skip great days just because it is cold outside. over the years i have been trying out different outfits to be able to go out in winter. sam asked me about my secrets to enjoy wintersessions. there they are:

Citation :

@sam grub: temperature is no limit any more. if it is too cold the lake will freeze anyways (no salt). right now the water is around 3°C but we also go kitesurfing "on the rocks" sometimes. however it is important to bear in mind that in the worst case you need to get back to the beach alive even with a rip in your suit. we stay close to the beach and our lake is shallow so you do not have to swim to get back. and i do not go out on my own.

my autumn/winter/spring outfit:
first layer: thin merino wool underware (warm, no smell), warm socks (any will do).
second layer: under fleece jumpsuit (very warm, even when wet just in case, sometimes comes with the drysuit)
third layer: thin cotton long sleeve tshirt and thin cotton pants (pyjama) this layer is my top secret. it will draw any moisture away from fleece. and there will be condesation water inside the drysuit. the cotton layer will take care of that. after your session you can take off your cotton layer, change socks and you are dry, warm and good to drive home.
drysuit: front zip (fast pee), neopren neck and cuff seals (compfy), latex socks (dry = warm)
neoprene hood: something that goes under your helmet
neoprene shoes: nothing too thick, not too tight, no split toe
neoprene gloves: the only thing that makes them really warm is water/air tightness. this means you can forget 98% of the gloves on the market. i use unger neopren gloves for window cleaners. they are thin, flexible, water tight (unfortunately not 100% at wrist, i am working on that issue, they are still warmer than anyting i had before). they are not too durable so you need a pair each season.

voilà!
http://www.windkraftsport.com/images/photoalbum/podo26nov11_08.jpg
who wants to miss that?
http://www.windkraftsport.com/photogallery.php?album_id=900
http://www.windkraftsport.com/photogallery.php?album_id=901

examples
http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/gul-drysuit-under-fleece-gm0283-p-209.html
http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/gul-shadow-drysuit-new-2011-gm0330-only-p-2208.html
http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/crewsaver-neoprene-hood-balaclava-p-98.html
http://www.hygi.de/unger_neopren_handschuhe_wasserfest_,pd,6014.html

Warriors!