5 good reasons to go sailing during winter
When temperature takes a dive it can be a quite cold experience to move outside. Not all of us are born vikings and that’s why we have found 5 good reasons why you should go outside and sail even though it’s very cold.
Below we have listed the 5 good reasons why to go sailing during winter.
- You can easily keep warm even if it’s cold
- You can bring provisions to help keep you warm
- You have the harbor to yourself
- It gets cozier we move closer together
- Safety is still on top
1. How to keep warm outside
Do not fear the cold! There’s always ways to keep warm, even when you’re on the water. Read along and learn how to keep the warmth the best you can.
When temperatures drop to something close to the freezing point it’s quite normal that we lose some of our body heat through the head. At the same time both our ears and nose are very sensitive to cold weather. Therefore it’s important to buy a nice warm beanie to keep your head from freezing. It’s not only the head you must take care of when being outside. Your neck is also very important to protect and keep shielded from the cold. To keep warm hands and feet must always be protected. Get yourself a nice pair of gloves and some lined boots. To learn more about how to dress the best way for each season, read this article: here.
Sit comfortably and keep the warmth while being on the water
During your sail you can bring cushions and blankets to keep the warmth. At GoBoat there’s taken care of both if you go sailing in one of their boats. Blankets make sure you keep your warmth during the whole sail. During winter it’s also possible to buy seat heaters from StaySeats to sit on while sailing. The seats secure a soft and warm experience since it’s heating your bottom and back. The seat has 3 different heat settings.
Temperature in Denmark in the winter
Denmark's climate is warmer than other geographical areas at the same latitude. This is due to the North Atlantic Current that starts at the tropical sea off the east coast of the USA.
December in Denmark is on average coldest at 0 degrees and warmest at +4 degrees Celsius while January's coldest is -2 and warmest is +2 on average. It is generally coldest in the middle of Jutland.
The coldest total year in Denmark was so far 1879, which is the only year with an average temperature below 6 degrees. The absolute lowest temperature measured in Denmarks was -31.2°C in Thy in January 1982.
Source: DMI.
2. When the cold bites, treat yourself
Change the cold tap water with either coffee, tea or hot chocolate to drink on the way. Drinking something nice and hot can help you keep warm.
If you’re sailing with GoBoat in Copenhagen there’s a lot of small cafés at Islands Brygge near GoBoat. If you’re sailing in Odense there’s cafés and restaurants within walking distance from GoBoat’s location. If you’re in Aalborg there’s a few places near the location, where you can buy coffee and so on. At Hobrovej there’s also cafés and restaurant. In both Odense and Copenhagen it’s possible to buy coffee from GoBoat.
Remember to eat before sailing
According to Spejdersport It’s important to eat when it’s cold. Your body starts the combustion when it’s cold, and therefore it’s extra important to keep your stomach full. It’s about consuming more calories than you burn when it’s cold. When temperature drops your body will automatically increase the combustion which will make your body temperature rise. And that’s why you need to ensure that you go sailing with a full stomach or at least that you bring food.
4) You have the harbor to yourself
If you sail during winter it’s limited how many other vessels there’s in the harbor, which means you’ll have the harbor almost to yourself. During summer time the harbor teems with life along the waterfront and in the harbor.
The calm surroundings makes it a very pleasant place to go sailing in a slow tempo without being disturbed by any other boats. Together with family and friends you’ll be able to completely relax and just enjoy the moment without any stress.
Why is it important to relax?
When you relax your body and mind recover and in this way you’ll build up renewed energy. If you forget to relax your body is constantly working overtime and you risk ending up stressed. Health authorities such as Sundhedsguiden recommend that you make sure to relax once in a while. When you relax and find yourself in calm surroundings your blood pressure drops and so does your pulse. This happens because you will automatically breathe deeper and slower. If you think this sounds interesting, you can always read more here about why it is important to remember and relax.
5) Only good vibes while sailing
When it’s cold we tend to squeeze closer together, which is quite nice. Residents in Denmark are happier than people in most other countries. But why? It can best be described with one word: hygge. Hygge is a part of Danish culture. A quite comprehensive term which is deeply integrated in most Danes. Hygge is about personal well being, unforgettable moments with the ones you love and also the small things in life that bring joy. If you ask a dane what hygge is, it will definitely be a question that puts a smile on their face. Most Danes think that hygge is a defining way of living. We connect hygge with socializing and a feeling which is quite intangible.
5) Safety on the water
It’s always quite essential that safety is on top when you’re out on the water. The same safety precautions apply during summer and winter. At GoBoat safety is a high priority. Read along and learn about the most important information for you to be a responsible captain. Always make sure that there's a life vest for all passengers on board. At GoBoat all guests get a life vest with them when they go out sailing. It’s not a legal requirement to wear it though.
As a captain it’s important to keep an eye and to be alert in order to avoid collisions with other boats. Use your common sense and assess the risk of collusion. Never take any chances. That’s the best way to take good care of yourself and other fellow passengers.
GoBoat’s port regulations
At GoBoat we have 4 no go’s that must be followed by all sailors.
- It’s not given that everybody has the same taste in music as you. And since the harbor should be a pleasant place for everybody to stay it is not allowed to bring speakers on board.
- We know that the water can be tempting, but it’s not allowed to go bathing from a GoBoat.
- It is strongly prohibited to use the harbor as a toilet. If you become needy along the way there’s luckily permitted toilet facilities on the route. These are marked on the map in the boat.
- You do not need alcoholic beverages to have fun. It’s only allowed to drink 2 items of alcohol per person.
GoBoat's 4 no-go's
FAQ
How do I keep warm on the water during winter?
When you're on the water you can keep warm in different ways. Firstly it's important to wear warm clothes and bring more just in case. You can also borrow a blanket or rent a heated seat from StaySeat.
What is the harbor rules?
At GoBoat we have 4 no go’s that must be followed by all sailors.
It’s not given that everybody has the same taste in music as you. And since the harbor should be a pleasant place for everybody to stay it is not allowed to bring speakers on board.
We know that the water can be tempting, but it’s not allowed to go bathing from a GoBoat.
It is strongly prohibited to use the harbor as a toilet. If you become needy along the way there’s luckily permitted toilet facilities on the route. These are marked on the map in the boat.
You do not need alcoholic beverages to have fun. It’s only allowed to drink 2 items of alcohol per person.
Can I go sailing when it's raining?
Yes, no problem. Just remember to wear rain clothes.
