Winter wingfoiling in Switzerland: wetsuits and safety

In Switzerland the season does not end in October — that is often when the wind gets good. Provided you are equipped for cold water and know what actually changes.

Why winter is a good season

Summer thermals are gentle and moody. From autumn on, the bise settles over the Swiss plateau: stronger, longer, more reliable. The föhn opens spectacular windows on the alpine lakes. And the spots empty out — you get the water to yourself.

Water temperature is the real subject

On the plateau lakes — Neuchâtel, Biel, Murten, Geneva — expect roughly 10 to 14 °C in November and 4 to 8 °C from January to March. These are orders of magnitude: shallow water and shorelines cool faster.

What matters is not only the water but the combination of cold water, cold air and wind. A fall in 6 °C water with 2 °C air and 25 knots chills you far faster than the same swim without wind.

Which wetsuit thickness?

• September–October — a 4/3 mm suits most riders.
• November–December — 5/4 mm with an integrated hood, 5 mm boots.
• January–March — 5/4 or 6/5 mm, hood, boots and gloves. Gloves are the most debated item: they cost you feel on the boom, but frozen hands hold nothing at all.

A winter suit must fit tight. A loose one lets water circulate and chills you, even in 6 mm.

Five safety rules that change in winter

1. Never alone. In summer a gear failure is an inconvenience; in winter it is a genuine hypothermia risk.
2. Tell someone where you are and when you will be back.
3. Stay close to shore. Offshore wind pushing you out is the most dangerous scenario of the season.
4. Shorter sessions. Two forty-minute runs beat one long outing that ends with you numb.
5. Prepare the return: dry clothes in the car, a hot drink, and everything to change quickly.

What winter does to your gear

Cold stiffens fabrics and makes plastics brittle: inflate your wing slightly softer than in summer, and do not unfold it roughly at 2 °C. Rinse systematically with lukewarm fresh water — salt is not an issue on our lakes, but sand and silt wear down zips and screws.

Dry the foil before storing it: water freezing inside an assembled fuselage can do damage. And loosen the screws at the end of the season rather than leaving them seized for six months.

Which Swiss spots work in winter?

The large plateau lakes are rideable all year and do not freeze over. On alpine lakes the question is access: roads, car parks and shorelines can be closed or iced. Check before you go — and watch for bird protection zones, often in force from 1 October to 31 March.

Unsure about your kit?