What’s the water like?
Check general seasonal water temperature so you know what to expect for your kit.
Check Seasonal Water TempsReady for a session?
Everything you need before getting in the water.
Plan My Session →
NCW Session Tip: Don’t underestimate the value of warm clothes for getting changed afterwards.
Before you go…
Buying a new wetsuit?
Use the NCW Wetsuit Picker to help choose a new wetsuit.
Choose a New WetsuitIs it worth going?
Use the NCW Ocean Readiness Score to see how today’s conditions stack up – and find your wetsuit recommendation.
Check Ocean ReadinessWant the full picture?
Weather, water temperature, wetsuit advice and more – all in one place.
Open Ocean Intelligence LabPlan your session – kit checklists
Open your activity and tick things off. Ticks are remembered on this device where your browser allows it.
Surfing – kit checklist (0/12)
Don't forget that getting changed afterwards can be the coldest part of the session.
Bodyboarding – kit checklist (0/9)
SUP – kit checklist (0/10)
Conditions can change quickly. Offshore wind will push you out — tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
Wing Foiling – kit checklist (0/13)
Check every bolt on the foil before you launch. Nobody enjoys the swim back.
Windsurfing – kit checklist (0/14)
Swimming – kit checklist (0/9)
Never swim alone if you can help it. Acclimatise slowly, stay close to shore, and if you get in trouble: float to live.
Other watersports – kit checklist (0/7)
Your session
Water
Check general seasonal water temperature.
Check Seasonal Water TempsWetsuit
Find your wetsuit recommendation.
Ocean Readiness ScoreConditions
Is today actually worth the trip?
Ocean Readiness ScoreReady? Go get wet. Stay safe. Have fun. Don’t forget the towel.
Kit help from NCW
Forgot your wetsuit?
Browse the full NCW wetsuit range.
Browse NCW WetsuitsBuying a new wetsuit?
Use the Wetsuit Picker to choose a new one.
Choose a New WetsuitIs your wetsuit still fit for purpose?
Check your current wetsuit is still fit for purpose.
Wetsuit Lifespan CheckerNot sure on thickness?
Find the right thickness for the season.
Wetsuit Thickness GuideNeed used kit?
Secondhand wetsuits from NCW.
Secondhand WetsuitsBorn in Cornwall. Built for UK waters.
Independent, Cornwall-based and in the water since 2004. Affordable wetsuits for proper British conditions.
Contact us ↗Recommended products
Kit for your activity
Need more information?
Existing tools and guides on the NCW website.
Check general seasonal water temperature ↗ Choose a New Wetsuit (Wetsuit Picker) ↗ Ocean Readiness Score ↗ Ocean Intelligence Lab ↗ Wetsuit Lifespan Checker – is your current wetsuit still fit for purpose? ↗ Wetsuit Thickness Guide ↗ NCW Blog – for more info ↗ Contact NCW ↗
Check live conditions
Independent services, not NCW tools. Opens in a new tab.
Get Ready Before You Get Wet
A good session starts before you reach the beach. Whether you’re heading out for a surf, bodyboard, SUP, wing foil, windsurf or wild swim, there’s nothing worse than arriving at the water and realising you’ve left something important at home.
NCW’s pre-session checklist (above) is a simple way to get yourself and your kit sorted before you head out.
Choose your activity and we’ll give you a practical list of the things worth remembering. Board? Check. Wetsuit? Check. Leash? Check. Pump? Check. Towel? Definitely check.
Tick things off as you pack them and you’ll know when you’re ready to go. There’s no account to create and no complicated setup – just a useful checklist designed for getting outside and into the water.
Check More Than Your Kit
Your equipment is only part of the preparation. Water temperature, air temperature, wind, session length and what you’re planning to do can all affect how your session feels.
That’s why the checklist also points you towards NCW’s existing Ocean Intelligence resources. Use the UK Water Temperature Guide to get a better idea of what you’re likely to be dealing with, head to the NCW Wetsuit Picker if you’re unsure what to wear, or use the Ocean Readiness Score to see how today’s conditions stack up.
You don’t need to spend ages studying forecasts or analysing every last detail. The idea is simply to arrive prepared, with the right kit and a better understanding of what you’re heading into.
Because the best bit of a watersports session isn’t remembering what you forgot.
It’s getting changed, grabbing your gear and getting wet.
Check it. Pack it. Go.
Check out NCW’s online shop for all that essential surfing and watersports gear