Jake, MauganN20...
I'll admit there is something fundamentally wrong with jumping into water when the windchill is near 10F and the water just above freezing <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> But as with any sport it all has to do with having the right gear for the conditions. My surfing wetsuit is rated for frigid conditons and it works extremely well. I'm actually warmer than people on the beach with parkas. We surfed for 3 hours. The only reason for stopping...my arms got tired from paddling. If you can get past the mental blocks and keep an open mind, you'd be surprised at what you can do <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />