Cold Water Sessions

In our final instalment of our ‘Cold Water Sessions’ we catch up with Englishman Adam Sims (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Flymount), who is no stranger to the cold having grown up in England and now living in Austria. Over to Adam to share his thoughts on approaching the cold:

PWA: How do you get motivated to go sailing when it’s freezing cold?

AS: “I used to find that hard, zipping up two winter wetsuits was probably one of my more extreme sessions I did in the past, now I have a super good wetsuit and it’s made a huge difference so I really don’t feel it so much, just my hands. With that in mind and some good rock music on the way to the beach I am pretty set.”

PWA: Do you follow a set preparation the night/morning before you go sailing? If so, what?

AS: “Yeah the evening before I make sure everything is packed and easy to reach, fins are already in, I know exactly where each sail/mast/boom is. Usually I don’t even have anything in the bags during the winter months because when you open your warm van door and the ice cold air hits you that’s the least motivating part, rigging in the freezing winds, so the least amount of time in it the better. I’m happy I now have a decent van to get changed in (and make a cuppa tea) and honestly the best winter jacket I could possibly afford.”

PWA: Favourite music to get you pumped up before you go sailing?

AS: “Some fairly strong rock, none of that screaming stuff but something with a powerful beat that makes my sub work. I think I last listened to 'From Heads Unworthy' by Rise Against. Rise Against, Against Me and this kinda stuff is awesome before a windsurf, even if it’s not cold.”

PWA: Gloves or no gloves? Are boots allowed?

AS: “I’m not usually into rubber but on this occasion I take as much of it as possible.”

PWA: Warm up routine before you go sailing?

AS: “Fast rigging, cup of tea and running with my kit to the water, then power windsurfing! As soon as you just cruise you get cold. I windsurf to the max in the winter, probably some of my most intense sessions.”

PWA: Plus anything else you might want to add…

AS: “Looking for a technical clothing/wetsuit sponsor, message me on facebook.com/adamsimsk72”

PWA: Thanks, Adam.