It's dark and cold, but hey, the water's flat!

In the middle of summer we’re used to dripping with sweat, 30 degrees plus with only your apparent wind to cool you down. But next time you’re feeling a little hot and bothered during a paddle, think of these guys and you’ll instantly get a nice cold chill down your spine.

Ok so it's not some ancient chinese breathing technique for lowering your core body temperature, it's not even a special training exercise that prepares the body for marathon paddles. It's just a really cool video that shows how much the guys from Kialoa Paddles love the sport of stand up paddling.  

Right now in the USA, up in the North West near Oregon, there’s some paddlers still going. Remember it’s the northern hemisphere, their toilets flush the other way, and it’s the depths of winter. They say the love the winter though, and continue paddling all year round in the hood river for training. Todays forecast for the Hood River is a top of 4 degrees Celsius, with snow and a 40% chance of rain. Are they crazy?

Us Aussies tend to think so, most locals have never even heard of a drysuit, let along worn one. And then could you imagine rocking up to Currumbin Alley with a 6mm wetsuit, booties and beanie? Not even in the middle of July.

So next time you don the board shorts or bikini for a paddle, think of the poor guys and girls up north doing it tough this winter. Not everyone can enjoy pleasant conditions all year round!

Check out the video below for a taste of some really cool stand up paddling (sorry, we had to say it!)