Wetsuits for Surfing – What is the Correct Wetsuit Gear for Surfing
Wetsuits for surfing are different than the wetsuit needs of divers, kayakers and other water sports. This article is written for the beginning surfer who is looking to buy the right wetsuit gear for the water and air temperatures they will normally be surfing in.
Wetsuits are designed for men, women and kids, but the criteria for choosing wetsuit gear is essentially the same for all people.
Before buying a wetsuit if at all possible try them on, get the right fit. For online wetsuit purchases do your best to match your size with the size charts, and be clear that the seller will let you exchange the wetsuit if the fit is not right. Wetsuits should fit snuggly but not so tight that it’s hard to get in and out of them or that you feel constricted.
Full Winter Wetsuits
For the colder waters below 60 degrees a good wetsuit is critical for safety and comfort. If you are cold and uncomfortable your chances of bonding with the sport over the long term will be less likely.
Surf wetsuits are made with neoprene and the thickness of the neoprene is how you choose for the water temperature. The colder the water the thicker the neoprene. In water under 60 degrees I would recommend a 4/3 or even possibly a 5/4 wetsuit. The numbers denote the neoprene thickness. The first number is for the over all wetsuit and the second number is the thickness in millimeters for the arm areas designed for paddling flexibility. In sightly warmer water in the 60′s and up you may be fine with a 3/2 wetsuit and should you need a bit more warmth you can add a 1 or 2 mm vest or Tee Shirt under your full wetsuit.
Extreme Conditions This may be where the drysuit comes in. A drysuit is different from a wetsuit in that it is designed to keep the cold water out, The zipper is a sealed zipper. The drysuit is more for diving and kayaking than surfing. There are drysuits that fit tighter and work better for surfing, but generally the drysuit is more cumbersome and lowers surfing performance. If you are surfing in conditions with both very cold water and air temperatures, then the drysuit may be the best bet for hypothermia protection and comfort.
Booties and Gloves
With wetsuit gloves you can choose from thicker and thinner neoprene as well as a mitten style, full finger, three quarter finger, a webbed glove and thumb and mitten style.
For grip most gloves have a non slip surface. I have found that it takes a little getting use to the lack of grip compared to surfing without gloves. Many surfers don’t like gloves because they inhibit their grip.
Booties come in a sock style or you can get the more popular boot style that has a sole and tread on the bottom. When I am surfing I like the added protection of the wetsuit boot for surfing the reef or cliff break where there is likely to be rock and sharp sea life or object under the water, either when you are wadding out or coming off your board.
The Wetsuit Hood or Hat
Rolling and diving under waves in cold water can give you a headache. A wetsuit hat or hood can make a lot sense. There are also wetsuit beanie for the head as well. Most wetsuit head covers have some form of strap or they are pullover that also covers the neck.
Summer Wetsuits and the Warm Climate Waters
At first you might think to yourself, wetsuits are only for cold water environments. This is not always true. Even in the tropics a thin light wetsuit vest or tee shirt or even some pants can add to your surfing enjoyment. Protection from the sun and for sitting out in the wind for hours can be better handled with a light wetsuit. There are wetsuit pants, jackets, vests, tee shirts, short johns and shorts in 1 to 3 mm neoprene thickness available for your warmer water needs.
I hope this article is helpful for all beginners and other surfers to get the best wetsuit gear for total surfing enjoyment and experience.
About the Author
Chadd writes articles for the internet in the areas of health, water sports and environmental preservation, check out his wetsite for great brand reviews for surfing wetsuits, and how to choose the right, wetsuit equipment.
2XU Men’s Velocity V1 Triathlon Wetsuit 2010