| Winter is a fact of life for many people who | | | | especially in areas where the seasons change |
| enjoy the sport of surfing. However, cold air and | | | | dramatically. |
| water temperatures don't have to stop your | | | | There are a variety of thicknesses from which to |
| sessions! Enter the wetsuit, probably the single | | | | choose. From thin 2 mm spring suits, to 2/3 mm |
| biggest invention in surfing since the surfboard | | | | fullsuits, 4/3's, 5/4/3's, and 6/5/4's. These |
| itself. | | | | numbers reference how thick the neoprene is in |
| Wetsuits are tight fitting bodysuits made of | | | | millimeters for different areas of the suit. Often |
| flexible neoprene rubber. They work by trapping a | | | | the thickest neoprene will be in the torso and |
| thin layer of water between the neoprene and | | | | thighs, while the thinner areas will be on the arms |
| the skin. The body heats up this water, thus | | | | and calves. |
| keeping the surfer warm. | | | | When getting a wetsuit, it's important to set aside |
| When picking out a suit, you're going to want to | | | | a block of time in order to try them on. Each |
| get one that is specifically designed for surfing. | | | | company uses different models and they all have |
| That means seeking out your local surf shop. | | | | a slightly different fit. |
| Don't go to a dive shop or swimming store. | | | | The fit should be snug. Don't buy them too loose |
| Surfing wetsuits are specially made to endure the | | | | or water will be able to freely enter the suit and |
| specific repetitive motions that surfers make | | | | the insulating effect will be lost. This means you |
| when they're out in the ocean. For example, | | | | shouldn't buy a kid's suit a few sizes too big so |
| non-surfing suits can have seams in bad places | | | | they can grow into it. They might as well not |
| that will cause major rashes when you've been | | | | wear a suit at all. The neck is an important area |
| paddling for a few hours. | | | | to pay attention to. The collar should be snug so |
| Wetsuits come in different cuts, from | | | | that water doesn't freely enter and exit. |
| short-sleeve spring suits (or shorties) to fullsuits | | | | When looking at the pricetag, you do tend to get |
| with hoods. When it gets very cold, booties and | | | | what you pay for. There are several different |
| gloves are also available. Caps and hoods are also | | | | makes and models from each company, from |
| available for suits that don't have them already | | | | budget to luxury. Often the higher priced wetsuits |
| attached. | | | | will have all sorts of cool things like sealed seams |
| Surfers often have a quiver of wetsuits to | | | | and improved zippers and entry/exit schemes. |
| accompany their quiver of different boards, | | | | |