Winter Sessions with Benjamin May

First off, Benjamin, tell us a bit about your relationship to winter and sessions on the water? Have you always been riding throughout the whole year when you are home? 

 Basically yes, since I started with Wing Foiling. When I was still in school the storms usually hit during winter days. So good wind, also meant colder temperatures. Now as I‘m finished with school I still go on the water in winter but try to stay and train in some warmer weather. Just because it‘s a bit easier to train. 

What's the lowest temperatures your are getting into your wetsuit? 

 Ouff, I think the lowest temperature I went in the water was -7°C. But from a certain point on you don‘t really feel anymore if it‘s 5°C lower or higher, there is just no difference anymore. I think you can still go on the water as long as it‘s not frozen. Then it‘s just about having shorter sessions with warmups and tea in between ;) 

How hard are you riding when it's that cold? Are you holding back a bit in training in sessions like that?  

 Yes a bit for sure. Just to minimize the risk of getting injured. But I think training in such conditions is hard. It‘s more about having fun and enjoying it a bit to be on the water. 

Do you make any changes to your equipment choice during this time of year? 

 Yes I pump my wing a bit harder than usual. Just to have some more pressure and stability in my wing. In addition I usually ride with a harness during the cold months. It‘s just way more comfortable for the hands. Even if I have a boom where I can ride one handed and shake my hands warm again, it‘s just easier and more relaxing with a harness. And for tricks I can do most of them also with the harness.  

How important is it to have a solid crew riding with you during sessions like these to keep the motivation high? 

 I would say it‘s very important to keep the motivation on colder days. But to be honest, somehow as soon as I come home my mind switches to a daftest mode. So, when I see just a little bit of a chance to have wind I‘ll try to go on the water. For sure it's way more fun with some friends. But hey, water time is water time, and I just try to make the best out of it no matter what it takes.