Junior Winter Kit: How to Keep Young Sailors Warm This Season

When the temperature drops, sailing doesn’t have to stop. With the right layers and smart kit choices, winter sailing can be just as rewarding as summer — sometimes even more so. For junior sailors, learning how to stay warm and dry on the water is a key part of growing in the sport.

At Rooster, we’ve spent years developing kit that works as hard as the sailors wearing it — gear that keeps young sailors confident, comfortable, and ready to face the chill head-on.

Why the Right Winter Kit Matters

Cold conditions can make or break a training session. It’s hard to focus on racing tactics or boat handling when you’re distracted by numb fingers or shivering. Proper layering helps young sailors stay safe and comfortable — and most importantly, enjoy every moment on the water.

Rooster Rider Amelie Ballantyne puts it best:

“Once you’re warm and dry, everything changes. You can focus on sailing — not surviving. My top tip is to block the wind BEFORE you get wet. Wind chill is your number one enemy and it’s hard to warm up if you’re already cold and wet. I always wear my Pro Aquafleece Top to keep warm"

What Our Riders Recommend

We asked our Rooster Riders to share their top layering tips for winter sailing — the things they wish they’d known before their first cold session.

Their advice all points to the same truth: getting layering right means you’ll stay on the water longer, sail better, and have more fun.

The Junior Winter Kit System

Here’s a simple layering setup our Riders swear by:

1. Base Layer – Polypro or ‘Hot’ Top & Leggings 

A warm, stretchy yet thin foundation that regulates body temperature without restricting movement.

2. Mid Layer (Wetsuit layer) – Supertherm 4mm Longjohn and Top

The powerhouse of your winter kit. Neoprene creates a dynamic thermal barrier by trapping a thin layer of water and maintaining your core temperature, all while offering stretch and freedom of movement for active sailing.

3. Outer Layer –  Aquafleece Spray Top

Your essential weather shield, perfect for throwing on over your base. Protects against spray, rain, and wind chill — keeping core warmth in and water out.

4. Accessories – Gloves, Boots, and Hats

Often underestimated but crucial. Warm extremities = happy sailor.

Shop Junior Winter Kit

Layer up, Sail on…

Great kit doesn’t just keep you warm — it builds confidence. When juniors can focus on their technique rather than the temperature, they develop faster, stay positive, and actually look forward to those early winter starts.

That’s what we love to see at Rooster — young sailors who are comfortable, capable, and ready to take on any conditions.

Explore our Rider-approved winter essentials for junior sailors and help your sailor stay warm, dry, and ready for every challenge this season.

Read more about the right layers for you on our Layering Guide