Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Cold Water Surfing
Understanding circulation changes, cold exposure, and prevention for surfers
Cold-water surfing places significant stress on the body’s circulation. For surfers with Raynaud’s phenomenon, prolonged cold exposure, wind, and evaporative cooling can trigger episodes of decreased blood flow to the fingers and toes.[1][2]
While “surfer’s Raynaud’s” is not an official medical diagnosis, the overlap between surfing and Raynaud’s phenomenon is clinically important — especially for surfers spending long periods in cold water conditions.
Many surfers notice symptoms become more noticeable after:
winter surf sessions
prolonged cold-water exposure
windy conditions after exiting the water
repeated surf sessions over consecutive days
inadequate wetsuit insulation
surf travel to colder climates
What Happens in the Blood Vessels?
Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs when small blood vessels temporarily constrict in response to cold exposure or stress.[1]
This reduction in blood flow may cause:
white discoloration
blue or purple color changes
numbness
tingling
burning during rewarming
throbbing or pain after exposure
Cold water immersion combined with wind exposure makes surfing a particularly strong trigger for vasospasm.[2][3]
Over time, repeated cold exposure may worsen symptom frequency and severity.
Why Surfing Can Trigger Raynaud’s
Surfing combines several physiologic stressors that may provoke symptoms:
direct cold-water immersion
prolonged cooling of the hands and feet
systemic body temperature reduction
wind exposure after exiting the water
evaporative heat loss from wet skin
repeated cold exposure over many years
Research has consistently identified cold exposure as one of the strongest triggers for Raynaud’s attacks.[1][2]
Many individuals with Raynaud’s avoid cold-water activities because symptoms can become severe in lower temperatures.[3]
Common Symptoms
Surfers with Raynaud’s may experience:
cold-sensitive fingers or toes
white, blue, or purple discoloration
numbness during or after sessions
tingling or burning with rewarming
painful throbbing after warming up
decreased dexterity in cold conditions
prolonged recovery after surf sessions
Symptoms often improve after warming the body and restoring circulation.
Prevention Strategies
Wetsuit Protection
Maintaining core body temperature is one of the most effective ways to reduce attacks.[1]
Helpful measures may include:
thicker wetsuits in colder water
hooded wetsuits during winter sessions
neoprene booties
surf gloves when tolerated
limiting prolonged cold exposure
Many surfers notice that keeping the body core warm improves circulation to the hands and feet more effectively than focusing only on the digits.
Session Management
Helpful strategies include:
limiting session duration in cold water
changing out of wet gear promptly
warming hands and feet early after sessions
avoiding prolonged wind exposure after surfing
taking warming breaks between sessions
Warm water immersion and external heat sources may help shorten attacks.[1]
Treatment Options
Mild Symptoms
warming techniques
cold avoidance
wetsuit optimization
gloves and booties
limiting prolonged exposure
Moderate or Recurrent Symptoms
For surfers with persistent symptoms:
physician evaluation may be appropriate
calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine or amlodipine are commonly used first-line therapies[1]
some individuals may benefit from topical vasodilator therapies
Severe Symptoms
Persistent or severe Raynaud’s symptoms should be evaluated for secondary causes.
This is especially important if symptoms include:
ulceration
severe pain
tissue injury
asymmetric symptoms
symptoms beginning later in life
Secondary Raynaud’s may be associated with autoimmune or connective tissue diseases.[2]
Additional Consideration: Surfer’s Ear
Cold-water surfers are also at increased risk for external auditory exostoses (“surfer’s ear”), with prevalence estimates ranging from 53–90% among surfers.[4]
Risk increases with cumulative years of cold-water exposure.[5]
From a Surfer + Medical Perspective
As both a surfer and medical professional, Raynaud’s is something I’ve experienced firsthand — especially during colder surf sessions and prolonged water exposure.
For me, symptoms most commonly affect the toes and fingers. What may start as mild numbness can progress into noticeable color changes and painful rewarming afterward.
One thing many surfers normalize is just how much cold exposure the body tolerates over time. But repeated vasospasm and prolonged cooling can significantly affect comfort, dexterity, and recovery.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that keeping the entire body warm matters more than focusing only on the hands or feet. Proper wetsuit thickness, minimizing prolonged cold exposure, and rewarming early after sessions can make a major difference.
From both a clinical and practical standpoint, understanding Raynaud’s early allows surfers to continue surfing more comfortably and safely long-term.
References
Wigley FM, Flavahan NA. Raynaud’s Phenomenon. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-565. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1507638.
Block JA, Sequeira W. Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Lancet. 2001;357(9273):2042-2048. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)05118-7.
Virgili-Gervais G, Matthews B, Nassar EL, et al. Outdoor Temperature and Raynaud’s Phenomenon Severity. Lancet Rheumatology. 2024;6(10):e684-e692.
Vallée A. External Auditory Exostosis Among Surfers: A Systematic Review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024;281(2):573-578.
Kroon DF, Lawson ML, Derkay CS, et al. Surfer’s Ear in Cold Water Surfers. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126(5):499-504.