Hey Gals!
Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a great Holiday and got a chance to get out the back. Here is a quick aticle on cold water suits.
Cold water as defined here is any water temperature of 65 degrees or below. This means than any cold water wetsuit will be a fullsuit. A fullsuit covers a surfers body ankles to wrists. Fullsuit thickness is described in millimeters.
A 3/2, for example, has a thickness of 3mm around the torso and 2mm around the arms and legs. Most wetsuits come with zippers in the front or back. Some have half length zippers and some are even zipperless.
The thickness of the wetsuit you choose depends primarily on the water temperature your surfing in as well as your tolerance/comfort level.
In general, a 3/2 will work in water temps of 65-55 degrees, a 4/3 in 54-49 degrees, and a 5/4 in 48-43 degrees. Below that requires a 6/5 wetsuit or possibly a drysuit. Some wetsuits will have built in hoods, especially the thicker ones for colder water. Booties are optional at the high end of this temperature range and mandatory at the low end.
Popular brands of cold water wetsuits include Billabong, Oneill, Rip Curl, and Quicksilver. These brands use high quality glue, taped and stitched seams, and reinforced kneepads. A surfer who uses one regularly should expect to get 1-2 years use out of it, provided it's properly maintained
Proper maintenance includes a fresh water rinse after every use and drying on a hanger out of direct sunlight.
Most cold water wetsuit companies will have a sizing chart for you to consult. It's a good idea to try a few different sizes on as well as several brands to find the right fit for you. Choose the right one and your wetsuit will become as indispensable to your surfing as your surfboard.
So go get your suit and try cold water surfing!!
Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a great Holiday and got a chance to get out the back. Here is a quick aticle on cold water suits.
Cold water as defined here is any water temperature of 65 degrees or below. This means than any cold water wetsuit will be a fullsuit. A fullsuit covers a surfers body ankles to wrists. Fullsuit thickness is described in millimeters.
A 3/2, for example, has a thickness of 3mm around the torso and 2mm around the arms and legs. Most wetsuits come with zippers in the front or back. Some have half length zippers and some are even zipperless.
The thickness of the wetsuit you choose depends primarily on the water temperature your surfing in as well as your tolerance/comfort level.
In general, a 3/2 will work in water temps of 65-55 degrees, a 4/3 in 54-49 degrees, and a 5/4 in 48-43 degrees. Below that requires a 6/5 wetsuit or possibly a drysuit. Some wetsuits will have built in hoods, especially the thicker ones for colder water. Booties are optional at the high end of this temperature range and mandatory at the low end.
Popular brands of cold water wetsuits include Billabong, Oneill, Rip Curl, and Quicksilver. These brands use high quality glue, taped and stitched seams, and reinforced kneepads. A surfer who uses one regularly should expect to get 1-2 years use out of it, provided it's properly maintained
Proper maintenance includes a fresh water rinse after every use and drying on a hanger out of direct sunlight.
Most cold water wetsuit companies will have a sizing chart for you to consult. It's a good idea to try a few different sizes on as well as several brands to find the right fit for you. Choose the right one and your wetsuit will become as indispensable to your surfing as your surfboard.
So go get your suit and try cold water surfing!!
