Wingfoil and kitesurf in winter on Swiss lakes: getting the gear right

Winter doesn't end the season on Swiss lakes, it changes it. Spots are almost empty, and the bise, the north-easterly wind sweeping across the Swiss plateau, often blows for several days in a row between November and March. On Lake Neuchâtel as on Lake Geneva, these are steady conditions many riders wait for all year.

The difference is the water: it drops to around 5 to 7 °C in the middle of winter, and the air can be close to freezing. With the right gear you ride comfortably for over an hour. Without it, you're back on shore after ten minutes. Here is how to equip yourself, from the wetsuit to your hands and feet, and the safety rules to keep in mind.

Which wetsuit for winter?

Below 10 °C water you need at least a 5/4 mm suit (5 mm on the torso, 4 mm on arms and legs). When the water drops below 8 °C and the air is cold, a 6/5 mm or a 5/4 with an integrated hood makes a real difference: a large share of body heat is lost through the head and neck.

Three details matter as much as thickness:

• The entry: a chest zip or zipless suit lets in less water than a back zip.
• The seams: glued and taped (often labelled GBS), they stop water from passing through. Avoid simply stitched seams in winter.
• The lining: a thermal (fleece) lining on the torso keeps you warm even when wet.

The suit has to fit well: if it is too loose, water circulates inside and keeps cooling you down. Try it on with the base layers you plan to wear.

Feet, hands and head: where the heat goes

It is usually your hands and feet that end the session, long before your body.

• Boots: 5 to 7 mm, round or split toe depending on your straps. Check that they fit your footstraps or your wing board without affecting your stance.
• Gloves: 3 mm at the start of winter, 5 mm when it is coldest. Pre-curved models tire your forearms less on the bar or the wing handles.
• Hood: if your suit has no hood, a separate 2 to 3 mm hood is enough to change how cold you feel.

Before and after the session

The coldest moment isn't on the water, it's changing in the car park. A thick poncho, a beanie and a hot drink in the van make all the difference. Put on a dry suit: rinse it in fresh water after every session and dry it inside out on a proper hanger, away from direct heating, which damages neoprene.

Safety rules in cold water

• Never alone: ride with others, or at least with someone on shore who knows where you are and when you'll be back.
• Cold shock: the first minute in cold water takes your breath away. Go in gradually and stay calm if you fall.
• Short days: in December it gets dark around 5 pm. Plan to be back well before.
• Wind direction: prefer side-shore or slightly onshore wind. With offshore wind, a breakage or a lull pushes you away from the shore.
• Stay close to shore and wear an impact or buoyancy vest: it protects you and helps you stay afloat if you tire.

Choosing your gear

For a first winter season, the order of priority is simple: a good 5/4 or 6/5 with sealed seams, then boots, then gloves and a hood. You'll find our men's wetsuits, women's wetsuits and boots, gloves and hoods online, with pick-up in Neuchâtel or delivery within Switzerland.

Unsure about size or thickness? Write to us with your height, weight and the temperature you want to ride in: we'll advise you before you order.