If you are a surfer then you understand the importance of a wetsuit. A wetsuit can keep you warm in cold water. Though not often used during competitions, a surfing wetsuit can be a great tool to help keep your body warm while in the water. This wetsuit guide is set-up to take you through the entire wetsuit process. From choosing the right size wetsuit, to putting the wetsuit on, we will cover a little of everything to help get you the perfect wetsuit.
Top Wetsuit Brands: The most popular surfing wetsuit brands are Billabong, Body Glove, Hurly, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Roxy and Xcel. All of these brands offer great styles and fits. Whom you choose to go with will be all about personal taste.
To get you more familiar with a surfing wetsuit, lets take a look at the two main types of surfing wetsuits available for you to choose from.
Full Wetsuit: This will be the ideal wetsuit to purchase/wear if you are surfing in water that is below 60-degrees. This will usually protect you pretty well, even in water temperatures the dip down to the 40’s. Full wetsuits are also called “steamers.” This phrase may have been introduced because some surfing wetsuits have built-in battery powered heating elements.
Springsuits: This type of wetsuit will do when surfing waters at temperatures over 60-degrees. They are only about half as think as a full wetsuit so there is less material and they have a lighter weight. Often times you will see surfers in a variety of springsuits. Many will have either full legs and cut-off arms, or full arms and cut-off legs. Either style will do in warmer water.
Wetsuit Accessories
Wetsuit Hanger: It is exactly what you think it is: a hanger to hang-up a wetsuit. Besides providing a good place to store your wetsuit, a wetsuit hanger will reduce drying time by several hours.
Hoods/Booties: Every now and then it can get a little too chilly for just the wetsuit, but not chilly enough for a full wetsuit. Go grab yourself a pair of booties and a hood. They are stylish and will help keep you warm.
Gloves: They are really almost never needed, even in icy water. If you do need a pair then go grab some.
How to Put On Your Wetsuit
You may wonder why this section comes before the “picking the correct size” section. The answer is simple. In order to pick the correct size surfing wetsuit you will need to put it on for a test fit. Follow the tips below to help you get the wetsuit on your body. You will then be able to judge whether it is the correct fit or not.
Steps
1. If there is a zipper on the wetsuit then make sure you put the suit on with the zipper on your back. If you are putting on a zipperless wetsuit then don’t worry about it.
2. Slide your legs into the wetsuit one at a time. Make sure the wetsuit is snug and where you want it to be on your legs.
3. Pull the wetsuit up your waist. Again, make sure the legs/knee area of the suit is where you want them to be. This will help you decide if that particular suite is right for you or not. At this point the wetsuit should also be tight on your crotch. There should be no neoprene wrinkles anywhere.
4. Pull the wetsuit up and put your arms through the sleeves one-by-one.
5. Pull the neoprene tight into your shoulders and armpits. It needs to be snug and fit correctly. Again, no wrinkles should be seen.
6. Straighten out the flap under the zipper so it won’t get stuck in the zipper.
7. Use the cord attached to the zipper to zip-up. You should be able to pull it over your shoulder.
Once you have the wetsuit completely on you can judge whether or not it is the right size. What is the right size for you? Check out the next section to find out.
Picking the Correct Size
Now that you have a better understanding of the types of wetsuits and gear available lets take a look at how to choose the correct size of wetsuit. This is usually a real challenge for beginners. Most first-timers will buy a wetsuit that is too big for them because they don’t know how to properly judge the fit.
Sizes Available: Some wetsuit brands are made differently than others and may not carry all of these sizes. Typically this is what you will have to choose from: XXS, XS, S, MS (medium small), M, MT (medium tall), ML (medium large), LS (large small), L, LT (large tall), XL, XXL.
There are other less common sizes available, you may just need to special order them.
Before you decide of the surfing wetsuit is the correct size be sure to have the entire thing on the correct way. Refer to the previous section of this article if needed. You don’t want any excess neoprene in places like behind your knees or in your crotch area. Again, if everything feels snug and tight – and even a bit uncomfortable at first, then this is the correct size. The tighter it is the less chance water has of getting in.
Important Tips to Remember
- A dry wetsuit will feel tighter than a wet wetsuit.
- A wetsuit will expand over time and become looser.
- The wetsuit is too tight if your shoulders are bent forward or you have trouble expending your chest.
- If you are in pain anywhere on your body, pick a different size or a different brand.
- The wetsuit is too big if there is any excess neoprene anywhere on your body.
- Make sure the wetsuit is long enough for you.
- Always rinse your wetsuit off with fresh water right away.
- Rashes may develop – especially in the neck or groin area. There is rashguard gel available if needed.
- It is inevitable that you will pee in your wetsuit. Over time the suit may start producing an odor. To get rid of the odor purchase some of the special wetsuit soap available. Regular soap won’t cut it.
- Always dry the wetsuit inside out.
- Hang your wetsuit up when you are storing it.
- Purchase a wetsuit repair kit.
We hope this guide has given you some helpful tips and hints regarding wetsuits. You should now be well on your way to shredding some waves in your brand new surfing wetsuit.