Today we're checking in with our friend Marcus, a surf photographer from Tofino, BC (and an expert in dealing with cold water). If you want to level up your cold-water program, learn from those who deal with it all the time.
1. Introduce yourself! Tell us who you are, where you live, and what gets you stoked.
My name is Marcus Paladino. I’m a 35 year old surf photographer based on Vancouver Island, Canada, in the small coastal town of Tofino. What really gets me stoked is when the waves are firing, the light is popping, and nobody else is out. There’s nothing better than an empty lineup with just you and your friends.
2. What first drew you into cold-water surf—and what’s kept you there?
Living on the West Coast, cold water is just part of the deal. In the summer, it warms up enough that you can skip gloves, hood, or booties, but the winter is when the waves are the best and that’s when the water is coldest. The challenge of that, combined with the quality of the waves when it’s on keeps me coming back.
3. What is the coldest water you've ever paddled (or swam with a housing) in?
The coldest has to be Nova Scotia on the East Coast of Canada. Water temps were around zero Celsius. Every time I dove under a wave, it felt like getting little tattoos on my face from the cold water!
4. What is the warmest water you've ever paddled (or swam with a housing) in?
Probably mainland Mexico, in the middle of summer. The combination of warm water, hot sun, strong currents, and heavy beach breaks made me feel like I was overheating while swimming. It was a completely different kind of challenge.
5. What’s the biggest mental adjustment required before paddling out in truly cold water?
Patience is key. Cold water often comes with fickle waves, so you have to accept that you might be waiting 30-40 minutes for a set, or hours for the best wave of the day. Having a thicker suit helps, and staying mentally prepared makes the session way more enjoyable. Greatness really does come to those who wait.
6. Talk to me about your kit / preparation. How do you layer? How thick is your wetsuit, booties, gloves, etc.? Any other pre-surf tricks to warming your core?
In winter, when I’m swimming with my camera I usually wear a 6mm wetsuit, 7mm booties, and 5mm gloves— preferably lobster claws. I’ll layer a 1mm vest underneath if I know I’ll be waiting a while, and I always wear a helmet for safety but also to kind of prevent some heat loss from my head.
A handy pre-surf trick is to boil some water, pour it into your booties and gloves before heading out, but let it cool slightly so you don’t burn yourself. It helps keep your extremities warm before getting in the water because those are usually the first to get numb.
7. What about when you get out of the water? How long does it take you to get out of your wetsuit? How do you get warm?
After almost 15 years, I can get out of a wetsuit and gear in like under two minutes. Usually I warm up pretty quickly as soon as I get out of the ocean, unless it’s super cold and windy, that cuts right through you. The best approach is just to get the wet neoprene off you’re skin and into some street clothes as fast as possible. 
8. Are there common mistakes you see surfers make in cold water?
A big one is skipping booties. Some people try to surf without them because it “feels better”, then get cold feet after 20 minutes and cut their session short. Even a little bit of neoprene under your feet lets you surf for hours instead of minutes, it just makes no sense to go without them in the winter around here.
9. As a photographer, you spend a lot of time watching before shooting. Has that changed how you read waves or approach a surf session yourself?
Absolutely. Watching professionals in person for years has taught me a lot, especially about positioning and reading the sandbars. I wouldn’t say it’s made me a great surfer, I’m still pretty average, but I like to think know where to sit and how to catch plenty of waves at the local beach breaks, which helps a lot.
10. For someone staring at a grey horizon and debating whether to suit up, what would you say—honestly?
Honestly, just go. If you stand on the beach too long, you’ll get cold and overthink it. If there are surfable waves, suit up at home and just send it. My saying is: you either want to surf, or you don’t.
11. Any other advice for people dreaming of a surf trip to Canada, Alaska, etc.?
Be respectful. Cold-water lineups aren’t as crowded as California or Hawaii, but locals are used to surfing alone or
with people they’ve known for years. Just be friendly, patient, and remember it’s just surfing. Have fun!
What's Next?
