I got a chance to hit the water in my new O'Neill Boost Drysuit last weekend. When I headed out at 9am on Sunday, the air temp was around 44 and the bay temp was about 48 resulting in some pretty heavy fog.
It wasn't real cold, but there was a damp chill to the air.
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| Horn Point Shoal Marker |
Underneath the Boost, I wore a pair mid weight polypro tights on my legs and a silk weight top under a mid-weight stretch fleece. I wore a pair of 6mm boots and a 3 mm pair of gloves. I was a little overdressed and started sweating as soon as I hit the water. All of my base layers did what they were supposed to do and wicked that moisture away, and after those 1st few minutes I no longer felt any dampness next to my skin.
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| Fog Starting to lift |
I paddled for a little over an hour by myself, and then was joined by Sarah. Now time to water test the suit! I lowered myself in to Back Creek doing my best to keep my head out of the water. Even though I had "burped" the air out of my suit before heading out, as soon I was in the water I ballooned up like the Michelin man. I could feel the cold through the suit, but was still not uncomfortable in the water. I'm glad I had a leash on as I think it would have been difficult to swim in the suit. Note to self, burp a little more air out next time. As soon as I climbed back on the board and started paddling I was nice and toasty again.
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| Boost gets 2 Shaka's! |
My initial 1st impression of the Boost is that it works well and is a good choice for someone looking to paddle comfortably in cold weather and water. I still need to dial in my layering system, but unfortunately I hurt myself surfing on Monday and it maybe a few weeks before I get a chance to give the Boost another test.
East of Maui has a Large Boost in stock, if anyone wants to check it out. Other sizes available special order.
Ahola, and happy warm paddling.
Papa Mark
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