Stand up Paddling in the Winter?

Just because the leaves have fallen off the trees and there might be snow on the ground, you don’t get to retreat inside to wait out winter! Our MI OLA brand ambassadors love getting out there year round. They keep us inspired and offer a wealth of knowledge on how to continue to #GetOutThere when the temperatures get colder, from surfing to running in the cold. Ambassador Jen P. (@flentil) stand-up paddleboards all year, and here’s her tips on how to SUP in the winter AND be safe! Jen started SUPing only in warmer temperatures, but last winter she decided winter was not going to keep her off her board.

How to SUP in the Winter

When I started off paddling a few years ago, I was like many other folks…the air cooled off, the water temps dropped, and I threw in the towel until spring. Last winter, I decided I was going to keep going as long as there was water to paddle. Fall and winter are amazing times on the water: people are gone, the water is crystal clear, and often the wildlife is very active – it’s a great time to see lots of fish, birds and other wildlife.

As a first-time winter paddler, my big question was: how do I do this whole winter paddling thing safely? Because really cold water isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be deadly. Cold water (gasp!) is a serious thing. So I spent a lot of time educating myself to ensure I didn’t end up a tragic headline in the local news. I knew I wanted to enjoy the winter experience, but I didn’t want to be stupid, either.

This post is going to be about flat-water SUP. Since I live inland, this is what I do the majority of the time. If you are paddle surfing, you’ll want to take some slightly different steps that are the same as cold-water surfing. Check out this great post from fellow MI OLA ambassador Susi Brunvaer on all things related to cold-water surfing and get the tips you need to enjoy winter sessions in the waves!

Winter flat-water SUP: how do you stay safe and but also comfortable?

This is a balancing act I’ve found. In calm conditions when falling in isn’t a significant risk, the general rule of thumb is to dress similarly to as if you were going to run in the cold – wear breathable layers made of performance, wicking materials. If you think there is any chance that you will wind up in the water, a wetsuit or dry suit is a must. Both of these options will keep you safe in the event you take a plunge. The down side of either of these is that you can really work up a sweat, and be drenched from the inside out. However, the extra confidence you may gain from wearing either of these options may make you more adventurous when you head out for your session, or allow you to feel confident paddling in conditions when you may otherwise stay home.

Feet, hands and head: Keep them covered!!

Nothing makes a paddle session more uncomfortable than frozen toes or fingers, and we lose a ton of heat through our heads, so keep all of these body parts totally covered! If you don’t already have them, get the thickest booties you can, it will make ALL the difference! It does change the way you feel the board, but at least you can still get out there. Same goes for gloves – keep the hands warm but make sure you can still feel the paddle. And wearing a hat will really help your entire body retain heat.

One of the latest in drysuits that is getting RAVE reviews in the paddle community is SUPSKIN . It is on my wish list! Like all dry suits, it is not cheap, but it is supposed to be much more breathable and fitted than other dry suits, so it should be something that everyone looks into if they plan to winter paddle and stay safe.

A Leash and PFD are absolutely, positively a MUST, regardless of local water laws or conditions.

Regardless of how glassy the conditions, or how short your paddle session is going to be, you need to wear a leash and personal floatation device (PFD). You simply can’t risk losing contact with your board for any reason, for any period of time, and you do not want your head to go under water. I know some folks continue to use a waist pack-style, inflatable PFD in winter, but once the water and air temps drop significantly, I switch over to a more traditional-style PFD. In the event that I do hit the water, I want to ensure that my head stays above the water and I don’t want to have to fumble around to deploy an inflatable PFD – at that point my sole focus needs to be on getting back on the board and out of the water. I have one from Kokatat that I have been really pleased with, but there are many other brands such as MTI, that also make great options.

Know your local water safety laws.

In the US, USCG laws require that adults have a PFD with them at all times when on the water. This means a traditional PFD can be sitting on the front of your board, or if you use a waist-pack style inflatable PFD, you have to wear it. In my home state of Pennsylvania, additional cold-water safety regulations are in effect from November 1 – April 30. This rule requires that you must WEAR a PFD at all times when you are on the water, with no exceptions. So if you plan to paddle all year-round, make sure you become familiar with any local water laws that may apply.

Let someone know your paddle plan.

This is really something that you should do year-round, but it is even more important in winter. And if you have the option, paddle with a buddy.

Get ready to fend for yourself.

One of the magical things about winter paddling is the solitude. But this is also one of the dangers. If you get into trouble, there may not be anyone nearby to bail you out. This means basic precautions like bringing your phone in a water-sealed bag or a case is super important. Don’t paddle too far out – if conditions change quickly, you’ll be more exposed, and you may not be able to get back to shore quickly or easily. Stay close to shore so you always have a relatively quick exit plan. If you fall in, even if you still have your board, you won’t have far to go to get back to shore, and should you lose your paddle, you don’t want to have to prone-paddle for very long. If you have the option to paddle where it isn’t too deep, take advantage of that safety option as well.

If it’s icy on the water or on the ground, it’s icy on your board.

Once things start to really get to freezing, you need to be aware that wet spots on your board could be icy as well. I am extremely cautious about things like pivot turns in the winter, and it’s not the time that I decide to try anything that requires a whole lot of moving around on the board.

When in doubt, don’t paddle out.

Most of us know this saying already, and it’s even more true in winter conditions. In the winter months, I am way more selective about when I decide to hit the water. If there’s a whole lot of wind or chop, I tend to play it safe and wait for a gentler day. If the conditions look like they may change quickly, I play it safe. Wind chill feels a lot more extreme in the winter, so I pay attention to that factor as well.

Be bold, but be safe. Get out there!!

Winter paddling is a wonderful, peaceful and invigorating experience. With a combination of solid preparation and common sense, you can enjoy the beauty and solitude of this amazing time of year on the water! Happy Paddling!!

What if I told you there is a way to have better days, every single day? There is.

Gratitude.

Gratitude has the ability to change your life simply by acknowledging positive things in your life every day. And since we’re in the season of Thanksgiving, now is a great opportunity to use gratitude to start changing your life.

Really? That’s it? Let’s back up a little bit so I can explain how gratitude has changed my life. As a cynical New Yorker- turned-Costa Rica-pura-vida-surfer, my attitude can be a mixed bag. Especially if you’re in the passenger seat while I’m driving! I used to have an almost immediate NO when it came to things I consider non-logical thinking or non-action oriented. Talk of vision boards and magical thinking made me a very skeptical.

However that was all before moving to Costa Rica to surf (my passion), starting MI OLA (my passion), meeting my husband (passion again) and having my own baby, Mini (talk about unconditional love.) All that has made me MUCH more open to alternate ideas (vs. hard logic driving everything), and I now know that my mindset creates everything or at least creates the way that I process everything.

Starting and running MI OLA is a roller coaster ride. There are days that are tough, and days with amazing wins. It’s not every day that we see new samples, surf to test them out, shoot photos in the tropics, or celebrate being in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition! We’re building a company that empowers women, is ethical and a positive force in the world, and makes the best swimwear available and that takes hard work and focus. I have to motivate every day to make things happen, even when I feel like binge watching Westworld on HBO.

Along the way, I’ve started to acknowledge and focus on positive things in my life. This simple act of gratitude has literally changed my life and made me more effective and happy. Here’s my morning routine, which I recommend.

Here’s what I do:

1) I start every day by jotting down 3 things I’m thankful for. These things can be very basic… hot water, heat, great friends that I’ll see tonight, or they can be more deep like living in a country where we are generally safe. Either way, these things should be meaningful to you.

2) Then, I journal 1 really positive experience from the last 24 hours. This could be having a great surf, or workout, winning an award, or just having a really great day.

3) Then I do a quick workout. A yoga flow, a quick mile jog, or jump rope for 10 minutes.

4) And then meditate for a bit. Research has shown that meditating, even for only 2 minutes, increases efficacy and clarity.

5) Lastly, I write down 3 things to accomplish that day. And yes, on weekends, one of those things could definitely be Netflix and drool, my personal hangover favorite, or Netflix and chill for sexytime 😉

Photo of MI OLA Ambassador Jessica by Diana Lee Photography- @jessicabellofatto

This routine can be as short as 20 minutes. And YES, this means I get up earlier than I used to, but it’s SOOO worth it. After I did this for a month, I started seeing my mindset changing. I have become more open to helping other people, giving others time, and being patient.

Try it out and let us know how it goes! And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there!!!!

(I am so thankful that you are reading this!)

FYI - The routine is pieced together from a few different sources, which are great reads.

A 23-Minute Morning Ritual That Will Transform Your Whole Day, by MarceL Schwantes

The Productivity Project, by Chris Bailey

Peter Sage - a serial entrepreneur and life coach.

And if you google, “morning routine”… you’ll find endless wisdom on how best to start your day. Listen - we’re not all perfect. There are days that I miss this routine, but my best days are when I stick to it.

Interested in joining the MI OLA Ambassador Program?

Know of anyone who should #GetOutThere with us?

Then shoot us an email at info@MI-OLA.com