How is the body able to withstand winter temperatures when winter surfing?

Question

I’ve seen videos of people surfing in the winter and read articles about it, it’s never explained how they are not dying of hypothermia. It just looks like they are wearing a wet suit. I read that it hypothermia starts below 95 F (35 C), I’m unsure how they are able to hit the water without freezing to death.

In: 4

Answer 1

Wet suits are not water proof. The water which seeps its way into the suit is rapidly warmed by your own body heat thus creating an insulated layer of warmth. Gloves, boots, and a hood are often necessary as well, although spending more than a couple hours in the water is not recommended