Tips for Cold Weather Wakeboarding: Safety & Wetsuit Thickness Guide

If Canadians only wakeboarded in the summer, they’d have a pretty short period to enjoy the sport. Thankfully, it’s still possible to get out on the water—but you’ll want to make sure you have the right gear and routine, and consult our wetsuit thickness guide. 

While being on the water always runs certain safety risks, these risks are increased when adding cold water into the equation.

Whether you’re wakeboarding a lake in Ontario or off the coast of BC, playing it safe can be life-saving. While we’re advocates for pushing boundaries in watersports, we’ll always maintain a safety-first attitude—and you should too.

How Cold Water Affects Performance

Have you ever jumped in a lake a little too soon before summer? Or waded through glacier runoff in Alberta in June? Cold water can surely wake you up—but it also makes your body work harder to keep warm. This means you’ll tire out faster than you do in warm water and your muscles will become stiff, making it harder to move at all. 

If you can’t tread water, then you could be in trouble without a life vest…not to mention going unconscious from freezing temperatures. In other words, staying away from water below 4.4 degrees C is paramount, though some people avoid it at much higher temperatures.

With that said, getting out on the water in colder temperatures is still possible, and referring to the weather and wetsuit thickness guide is not only a smart idea, but a life-saving one.

We’ll tell you how to do this effectively so you can ride longer and feel better.

Choosing the Right Wakeboard Gear & Routine

• Wetsuits: Depending on how cold it gets, you’ll want a wetsuit that’s thick enough to keep you warm but still lets you move freely. For most Canadian waters in the fall, a thickness of 3/2mm to 5/4/3mm should do the trick.

Safety Precations

• Hypothermia Awareness: It's real and can be dangerous. Knowing the signs and how to prevent it is key. Always wear the right gear and have a spotter on the boat. 
• Emergency Planning: Always have a plan for getting out of the water quickly if you need to. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Physical Preparation & Warm-Up Routines

• Dynamic Warm-Ups: Get your blood flowing with some jumping jacks, leg swings, and arm circles before you hit the water. This helps prevent injuries and keeps you limber. 
• On-Board Exercises: If you’re feeling chilly between rides, do some spot jogging or quick stretches on the board to keep warm without tiring out.

Techniques for Cold Weather Wakeboarding

• Adjusted Riding Style: With thicker gear, you might not be as nimble. Practice some moves with the extra bulk on land first to get a feel for it. 
• Conservation of Energy: Try to keep your sessions intense but short. Long stints in cold water can lead to quicker fatigue, so make every ride count!

How Cold Is Too Cold for a Wet Suit?

There are obvious times of the year when watersports simply aren’t possible, for example, when the lake is frozen over. But what if it isn’t? Can you still get out on the water for one last rip on your wakeboard before the snow starts falling? Knowing when to wear a wet suit and how cold is too cold for a wetsuit is critical. 

Consider the following to know if it’s too cold to wear a wetsuit and drysuit is better:

• Physical Response: Pay attention to how your body reacts. Shivering and numbness are signs that your wetsuit may not be adequate for the conditions.
• Duration of Exposure: The longer you plan to be in the water, the more critical it becomes to use appropriate protection. A wetsuit might suffice for short dips in colder waters, but for longer sessions, more protection is necessary.
• Activity Level: Higher activity levels can help keep your body warm even in colder water. If you're actively moving, you might be able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures with a wetsuit than if you were stationary.

The Differences Between a Wetsuit & a Drysuit

Wetsuits and drysuits are both types of exposure protection used in various water sports and activities to help manage the body's temperature, but they function quite differently and are used in different conditions:

Wetsuit

• Function: Wetsuits are made from neoprene, a material that provides insulation by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and the skin. Your body warms this water, which helps retain heat.
• Fit: They fit snugly against the body, which is crucial for their effectiveness. The closer the neoprene is to the skin, the better it can insulate.
• Use: Wetsuits are commonly used in water temperatures ranging from about 10°C to 21°C. They are popular for activities like surfing, diving, wakeboarding, and swimming, where flexibility and range of motion are important.
• Varieties: They come in different thicknesses, which offer varying levels of warmth. Thicker suits provide more warmth but less flexibility, and vice versa.

Drysuit

• Function: Drysuits are designed to keep you completely dry, except for your head, hands, and sometimes feet, unless you wear sealed gloves and boots. They do this by having watertight seals at the neck, wrists, and sometimes the ankles. The suits themselves are made of waterproof materials like nylon or vulcanized rubber.
• Fit: Drysuits are looser than wetsuits to allow for wearing clothes underneath for insulation. The suit itself doesn’t provide much thermal protection; instead, it's the clothing underneath that keeps you warm.
• Use: Drysuits are ideal for very cold water environments (below 50°F or 10°C), such as cold-water diving, kayaking, or sailing. They can be used in situations where exposure to cold water would be dangerous or uncomfortable for long periods.
• Features: Many drysuits have valves for letting air in or out to adjust buoyancy and comfort.

Make the Most of the Season with Buckeye Surf

Ready to gear up? Head over to Buckeye Surf to check out our selection of cold-water wakeboarding equipment. Need some advice? Drop by or give us a call—we’re here to help you make the most of your fall wakeboarding experience.

FAQ

What is the ideal temperature for water sports?

The ideal temperature for water sports generally depends on the specific activity and individual preferences. However, most people find water temperatures between 21°C to 29°C comfortable for activities like swimming, wakeboarding, and other water sports. If the water is cooler, wearing a wetsuit can help maintain comfort.

What water temperature is life-threatening?

At temperatures below 21°C, being in the water without protective clothing can become life-threatening. The danger increases significantly as temperatures drop. Take a look at the temperatures below and how they affect your body.

• Below 15.6°C: Water begins to feel quite cold upon entry. Immersion can lead to cold shock within just a few minutes, leading to an involuntary gasp response, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing, which can make it difficult to swim.
• Below 10°C: Water is dangerously cold and can quickly lead to hypothermia. In these conditions, your body loses heat much faster than it can produce it. Cold shock response is more immediate, and swimming or treading water becomes very difficult.
• 0°C and below: Water is at freezing point, and hypothermia can occur in under 15 minutes. Ice formation makes the water even more hazardous for any kind of activity.