3 watersports to try in the winter

Winter is officially here, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to dry land and wait six months till you can try out your favourite watersports. 

When you’re wearing a wetsuit, you barely even feel the cold - modern wetsuits ensure you’re wrapped up warm and snug. So, with the right equipment, you can enjoy the beauty of the UK waterways come summer or winter, without coming down with the sniffles! 

Check out these 3 watersports that are eola-certified to beat the winter blues. 

Surfing

Every surfer dreams of surfing big clean breaks, and winter surfing offers just that.

The best part about winter surfing is the lack of crowds, enabling you to take to the UK's most popular surf beaches and catch the best waves without other surfers nabbing it.

Another added bonus of winter time surfing are the conditions. The UK offers some of the biggest swells in Europe, with swells in the Cornish coast reaching up to 7ft, giving you bragging rights to tell your friends you’ve surfed some of the cleanest breaks in Europe!

The UK offers year-around surf schools in amazing locations where you can book sessions, rent equipment and hire wetsuits to ensure you’re nice and toasty out in the winter waves.

Open Water Swimming

Open water swimming (OWS) has gained huge momentum in the last couple of years and for very good reasons. The sport has been scientifically proven to improve both mental and physical health, with the colder temperatures aiding weight loss and raising an individual's metabolic rate. Dopamine levels have also been proven to increase at a whopping rate of 250% when swimming in water of 14C.

Aside from the countless health benefits, OWS is a great way to socialise, with the UK brimming with OWS groups for you to join. You’re also not in a confined space like a swimming pool, and it’s a great way to wind down and observe nature. 

An eola favourite is Ace Swimming where you can get OWS coaching in the picturesque town of Firestone Bay, Plymouth. 

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Perhaps one of the biggest watersports crazes to hit the UK in recent years, SUP has been proven widely popular in the summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang up your board and paddle in the winter.

One of the biggest advantages of SUP is that you can do it from virtually anywhere in the UK. Yes, you read that right...those of you living in landlocked cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester can still enjoy the perks of SUP. In fact, SUP in inland waters is perfect for the winter time as the calm waters ensure you stay dry. If you’re a thrill seeker and looking to SUP in the sea; wetsuit, drysuit, hat and gloves can all be worn to ensure you’re snug enough to enjoy your favourite watersport.

If you’re searching for a place to SUP, we’ve made it easy for you and listed our absolute favourite places to SUP in London.

So there you have our picks of watersports you should try your hand at this winter, and those aren’t the only ones - You can search the eola marketplace to find inspiration for many more watersports - whether it’s a gift for Christmas or you just want to treat yourself.