Autumn watersports – think surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing – can be great. Following the high season busyness, the slide into September, October and eventually November can be great if you’re into wind and/or waves. There’s still time to score some decent weather as well. Water temperatures remain relatively warm, and general weather should be OK (in fact. Hot weather could be on the cards during the early part of autumn). Of course, there may be a few blustery or stormy days in the mix – this is autumn after all. You just may need some additional protection is all.
Table of Contents
What’s the Exit XTend windchill blocking top?
The Exit XTend windchill blocking top is a brand new product from the Exit range of technical watersports accessories. You may know us as producers of the eye-catching and unique XRail wetsuit hanger. But there’s more to what we do than just this.
XTend windchill blocking top | Exit watersports accessories
In the pipeline for a while, the XTend windchill blocking top is another unique product designed to complement your watery life. A PU coated top it can be worn as a stand alone garment during warmer weather or as part of a layering system for colder days in the water. The XTend top will keep you significantly warmer during your session and suits a variety of different watersports disciplines. Pair with the Xtend wind chill blocking hood (below) for even more protection.
What’s the Exit XTend windchill blocking hood?
Not all wetsuit hoods are made the same! Such is the case with the Exit XTend windchill blocking hood. Made from super lightweight materials, and with a PU coating to fend off the cold it also allows helmets to be worn over the top should this be a requirement.
XTend windchill blocking hood | Exit watersports accessories
The XTend windchill blocking hood can be layered up with any existing wetsuit and the XTend windchill blocking top mentioned above. As a full rounded, super toasty autumn and winter cold water riding system you can’t beat the XTend range.
Early autumn watersports weather.
If we’re lucky, early autumn weather in the Northern Hemisphere can be sublime. With Mother Nature smiling there’s often a higher chance of scoring decent waves for surfing, paddle surfing and general beach frolicking. Summer may have passed by in the blink of an eye but good weather brings the opportunity for an extension to proceedings (all being well).
Equally, the North Atlantic can roar into life. It’s not uncommon to start seeing weather systems tracking in from the east. Ex-hurricane low pressures can also be common. Hurricane season isn’t done yet and we usually get a few remnants for watery fun.
Rolling into winter.
Around the end of October, you start to really feel a change occurring with our watersports weather. The water may still feel warm – especially in spots where the Gulf Stream has influence. But air temps are dropping and you’ll definitely be needing more rubber.
It’s not fully winter yet. And there’s time to snag those milder sessions before Jack Frost really makes his presence felt. So if you can, at this point, get involved as it won’t be too much longer before we’re scraping ice from windscreens.
Surfers rejoice.
If you’re a surfer – especially one who relishes solid swells – you may have been waiting for autumn watersports weather the whole way through high season. Summer isn’t usually renowned for macking waves. And whilst there may have been the odd period here and there autumn is where it’s at!
Spots roar back into life awake from their slumber. That warmer water and warmer air we’ve already mentioned make getting in super easy. There’s no doubt it’s less motivational when you wake to Baltic freezing conditions later in the year!
Wind heads are well served.
Wind heads – windsurfers, kitesurfers and wing foilers – are more likely to score solid days of breeze during autumn. The same low pressure systems that pulse waves to our beaches will events swoop overhead bringing a blow.
And, again, with warmer water and thermometer readings for air still playing ball it’s arguably easier to grab a sesh at your fave beach. This is the golden time for all autumn watersports.
Daylight hours – early autumn still has (just) enough.
For all ocean-going board riders – no matter what type you subscribe to – daylight is key. The more light we have, for longer, the less hassle it is to score sessions. Winter is notorious for short daylight hours. It makes before and after work sessions extremely hard to fit in.
Early autumn watersports options are still just about doable with daylight last beyond school and work knock off times. There’s no question that darkness encroaches quickly. But until the clocks actually change you should still get a few chances at getting wet after the bell’s rung.
Autumn watersports mean quieter beaches.
The kids are back at school and the high summer holiday tourists have packed up and gone home. Beaches have returned to their quieter alter-egos whilst in the water itself locals have grabbed back their real estate.
With less crowding it can be far more pleasant in the brine riding boards. Surfing particularly suffers from overcrowding at the best of times. So losing a large percentage of bodies in the lineup is a good thing. Chances are you’ll be able to grab a wave to yourself. If not a few!
Secret spots are back on the agenda.
With juice lacking these secret spots tend to have a summer of slumber. But during autumn your favourite nook and cranny will start to stir and hopefully come back to life. With more surf and wind comes more opportunity to score these out-of-the-way locations that you’ve been waiting for.
For some riders, this can mean closer-to-home venues with less travelling involved. And that’s better for a whole load of reasons. Not least the environment!
That cosy post-autumn watersports warm up.
Is there anything better than battling the elements and then enjoying a post-session pint, coffee or brew in front of a roaring log fire. Now don’t get us wrong. This is fully rose-tinted with most people’s after-sesh not quite as idyllic. But you get the sentiment.
The stoke is real, as they say. And there’s something about colder water autumn watersports that just makes it feel more deserved. You achieved something by being outdoors in the elements and your mental health will be all the better for it.
Summing up.
Autumn watersports can be great. There’s plenty of reason to be afloat and (mostly) the weather can be good. With the correct gear – for both on water and off it – you’ll be set to enjoy an autumn of watersports with the best of ‘em!