Spring Sailing: What To Wear On The Water In Spring
Spring is a great time of the year to get out on the water. Depending on where you are sailing, this might be bright sunny days with a brisk breeze, cloudy days with rain, or something in between. The key to gearing up for Spring sailing is proper layering and being prepared for changing conditions. It is often too warm for a drysuit but too cold for your typically summer sailing kit, so pieces like smock tops and waterproof trousers, wetsuits, thermal layers, and warm gloves will help you dress for the conditions and stay comfortable on the water.
Below is a checklist for spring sailing which will have you covered whether it’s warm and sunny or cloudy and cool.
Life Jacket
A comfortable, well-fitting life jacket is a must for spending time on the water, no matter the season. Sailing specific life jackets allow a full range of arm movement and should be sleek across the upper torso. All sailors should consider ISO 12402-5 (Level 50) certified life jackets in case of emergency. We stock a range of life jackets and personal floatation devices (PFD) at different price points here.
Waterproof Smock Top
Many dinghy sailors wear a smock top which is both waterproof and windproof. Sailing tops typically have water resistant gaskets at neck, waist and cuff and are cut so that insulating layers can be worn underneath. The waterproof material can be sticky against the skin in warm weather, so it's a smart idea to wear your spray top over a rash vest or UV technical shirt to improve breathability and to keep you comfortable in warm weather, or over an insulating layer in colder conditions. We love the range of Ronston Smock Tops which can be found on our website here.
Sailing Footwear
Sailing boots should be made of neoprene or rubber and provide some ankle support in addition to insulating the foot. Sailing trainers should have a non-slip durable sole, be lightweight and be designed to get wet so that you can launch your boat off a beach. You can check out our range of footwear here.
Sunglasses & Hats
With the sun in Australia being so strong, we always recommend wearing sunglasses and a hat, no matter what the season. We recommend polarised sunglasses to limit the surface water glare and protect your eyes from long-term harm. Hats are especially important as they offer additional sun protection for your face and neck, depending on which style you choose. You can check out our collection of sunglasses here and all of our hats here.
Skiff Suit
While it is not uncommon to see sailors using a drysuit or heavy wetsuit in the winter season, look for something lighter and with more layering flexibility for the Spring season. For core and leg protection, check out a neoprene Skiff Suit, which is essentially a sleeveless wetsuit. We have a number of options that are great for Spring (and Autumn) sailing on our website, just search for “skiff” for all our Skiff Suit products.
You may also want to consider wearing:
- Rash vest: A rash vest will protect your skin from the sun and chafing.
- Thermal layers: If it is cold, you can wear thermal layers underneath your waterproof smock top.
- Gloves: Gloves will keep your hands warm and dry.
By following these additional tips, you can dress comfortably and safely for spring sailing, no matter what the weather brings.
- Choose fabrics that are breathable and quick-drying.
- Avoid cotton clothing, as it will hold moisture and make you cold.
- Layer your clothing so you can adjust to the changing conditions.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
- Apply sunscreen liberally, especially to exposed skin.
- Bring a change of clothes in case you get wet.
We hope that you’ve found this blog post helpful, and you feel confident getting out on the water this Spring.
Safe Sailing!