Known as the ‘Brazil of Europe’, Portugal is a surfing mecca. Why? Are powerful Atlantic swells, wild nightlife, tons of beach bars, and Nazaré, the biggest wave ever surfed in history, good enough reasons for you? Thanks to its tropical climate, the water iswarm and pleasant all year round. In winter, you can expect an averagewater temperature of 77°F (25°C). The reality of surfing in the UK is far removed from the glossy marketing images of Californian sunshine, Australian beaches and surfing in board shorts. However, the perception that surfing in British waters, especially in winter, is cold, is no longer necessarily true.

From the surfing seasons and the best waves to what to eat and how to budget your trip, here’s all you need to know about surfingCosta Rica. This means wetsuits can range anywhere from 1mm up to 10mm for custom scuba diving wetsuits. For surfing, you’ll still get up to the 6mm range for surfing frozen coasts like Norway or Ireland in the depths of winter. Proper fit One of the best things to fight cold weather is a nice hot cup of something to drink. Pre-session coffee does wonders, but it’s the post-session hot beverage that truly warms you up. For most people, getting a hot drink to warm up means swinging by the coffee shop on the way out. With the Yeti Rambler Tumbler, there’s no need to go anywhere else and wait after a surf. You can immediately start thawing yourself out with your drink of choice that will stay warm through your session. This Rambler Tumbler holds 30oz which is enough to have some sips before you paddle out and still leave enough to warm you up when you get out. Plus, the Yeti Rambler will keep any drink warm, or cold during the summer, while you surf to your heart’s content.It’s important to note that we all have different levels of resilience to cold water, and what may be ample for one person could leave another shivering, so you’ll need to test this out to find your sweet spot.

Croyde, Devon: A great intermediate spot, Croyde has one of the most consistent waves in the UK but can be very powerful in a big swell – you’ve been warned! Surf schools operate here until early November. Beach-shops, cafes and accommodation are all on hand year round. Not every winter swell will present perfectly peeling ocean mountains rolling into shore. There will still be plenty of small days where surfing seems off the schedule. The important thing is not to waste the smaller days by sitting on the beach waiting for giants.Now we know that wetsuits are designed to keep you warm and protected in the water, so how does it work? Heat retention Pro tip – Speaking from prior experience, Xcel suits have a smaller fit when compared to most other wetsuit brands so you may want to go up a size if other wetsuits are a tight fit. Layering is key to staying warm in a wetsuit. Diving shorts serve as an extra layer to insulate from the cold water and make it easier to slide in and out of your wetsuit. Keep your upper body warm with a variety of undershirts on the market, including a rash guard or compression shirt.

The Yulex rubber used throughout the suit produces up to 80% less CO2 than traditional neoprene manufacturing, considerably reducing the suit’s carbon footprint. They use their patented Techno Butter for the entry making this one of the easiest winter wetsuits to slip on and off. In the Northern Hemisphere, thebest waves roll in during winter. At the same time,it’s summerin the Southern Hemisphere.Whether you’re looking to score some gnarly waves or escape the cold weather in a tropical paradise, we’ve got you covered! To avoid this, go to a spot with mellow waves or an easy way to paddle out to the breaking waves, also called a ‘channel’ as this will help you to keep warm.

The Psycho Tech from O’Neill is their exclusive range and features all of their latest advancements in wetsuit design.