Winter Waves
Goodbye summer, goodbye autumn, hello winter. While it may not be everyone’s favourite season, we try to embrace the cooler vibes (and less sweat). Winter is known for better swells, so it’s time to dust off the cobwebs on your steamer.
Brisk water temps equals ideal offshore winds, powerful groundswells and clearer waters. A warm morning cup of coffee tastes better after a chill surf and we love winter for its quieter crowds. Favourable offshore winds are common during cooler months, meaning less ocean surface chip and more groomed faced waves, which is appealing from the beginner to veteran surfer. The typical temp is around 18-22 degrees, which is considered warm in other countries! It's hard not to find a good wave on the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast in winter and the clearer waves are unbeatable. Sure, getting up early when it's cold is a tough feat, but having the sun rise when you're out on your board is pretty magical.
What boards are we grabbing from the Bywater Surf workshop in winter? For those smaller days 1 – 3’ you cannot go past the classic nose ride and trim of a 9’6” Rose 1960’s a classic Pig shape with a old school Hatchet fin. But for the 3-6’ days grabbing the 5’8” Gould modern Fish for some cool round house turns and smooth bottom turns is your best bet.
Another fun winter activity is to warm up in our workshop, on our July 4-day wooden surfboard making course and craft your own board, made from Australian grown Paulownia. Choose from 11 different surfboard styles, with various options on timber patten and nose & tail shape. If you’re not sure what board is best suited to your needs, we can point you in the right direction so you’re confident you’ll be making the most enjoyable and versatile board for yourself.
