how to buy a wetsuit for surfing
4/3mm | Autumn & Winter: Quiksilver … Ultimately, it’s about personal choice. The more expensive the suit, the more of the seams are taped. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. When it comes to choosing the right wetsuit to buy then you need to consider the temperature of the water that you will be using the wetsuit in. If you are surfing in cold water, then you need a good wetsuit, and you should be prepared to pay for it. Furthermore, if you are planning to surf in slightly warmer waters with in-between temperature ranges for a 4/3mm and a 5/4mm wetsuit then I would again recommend going for the thinner 4/3mm wetsuit and topping up with thermal layers under your suit. So, you’ve had a surf lesson, maybe even a few and now you’re hooked. June 5, 2017 by Lisa Woodruff Leave a Comment. The last is by design; zippers let in water, as does the fabric around the zipper mechanism to attach it to a wetsuit. However, if you look at a sizing chart for a surf wetsuit and you are in between different sizes, it’s recommended that you don’t buy your first proper surf wetsuit online: much better would be to go to a local shop and try one on first. To help you, below is a table containing water temperatures for each surf wetsuit type and thickness: To use this information properly, be sure to check the water temperature year-round for where you plan to surf as it will help you to get an idea of the type of wetsuit and thickness that you should be looking to buy.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'surflearner_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',107,'0','0'])); It also should be used along with the information provided in the following section of this article. Personally, I still struggle. There are two main types of zips on surfing wetsuits: These are the standard offering when it comes to wetsuits and the most common; you will see them everywhere from surf schools to many surfers wearing them. Remember that for someone who gets wetsuits for free, durability is not a concern so don’t take too much notice of what wetsuit sponsored surfers wear. Using a scuba wetsuit for surfing would lead to a lot of difficulty when paddling on a surfboard as the movement will be restricted, so best to buy a surf wetsuit specifically. This is a special liquidized rubber that is applied over the seams as part of the manufacturing process. In addition, at the nape of the neck, a back-zip becomes a weak point, again on duck dives, since the zip closure means that it is slightly loose and therefore lets in more cold water. You really want a wetsuit that works for you in as many months of the year in your chosen surf spots. The most popular 4mm wetsuits are either chest zip … 3/2mm or 2mm wetsuit with short arms or legs, 5/4mm full wetsuit with boots, gloves and a hood, 6/5mm full wetsuit with boots, gloves, hood and thermals. It's great to have you! Sunrise surfing at summer Photo Credit :... Hi there! You can always get another one later on!eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'surflearner_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',108,'0','0'])); Now hopefully you’ve already seen and taken in the points above about being realistic before reading this (if not, skip back up and read that first!). Opt for a mid range wetsuit when you are first buying a wetsuit- around the €150-200 mark. For Scottish or North East coast surfers go for a 5/4/3mm suit with built in hood. Quiksilver and Roxy have excellent 3/2mm wetsuits. Although water will usually run out of your wetsuit and stop it ballooning up massively, this still creates an unpleasant sensation, that of ‘flushing’, as mentioned in an earlier section of this article. Surfing wetsuits have come on so much in the last 6 years with the advent of super stretch material and thermal linings you don't need to be cold in the water anymore. Copyright ©2021 Gwithian Academy of Surfing, Splash Lesson (A two hour Surfing Lesson), 10 reasons why Autumn is the best surfing season in Cornwall, Surfboards for Beginners to Intermediates. At our surf school, we need a wetsuit that will take plenty of punishment, keep the customers warm and fits a wide variety of people. They feature a rounded end, are easy to manufacture and are therefore usually inexpensive to buy. If buying a winter wetsuit consider a 5,4,3mm, which means the body of the suit will be 5mm thick, the legs 4mm and the arms 3mm. Quiksilver Wetsuits. Although we all want to think that we could head out to surf in all weathers, the reality is that many of us will simply be put off by the frigid waters in the coldest months of the year. Don’t bother buying a short suit unless you’re less than 5 years old or planning to surf in the tropics for most of the year. As we all surf we can give you the best on what to buy. Gwithian Academy of Surfing, 1, Godrevy Towans, Gwithian, Hayle, Cornwall. Check that you are in the middle of the ranges they give. So, next up we’ll look at getting the finer points of sizing your wetsuit and getting it right. 4mm surfing wetsuits are most commonly used in water temperatures between 10°C and 14°C (50°F – 57°F). Average water time around 20 minutes before your entire body goes into hypothermic shutdown and your dangly bits, well, hasta la vista! Be realistic. The 5mm wetsuit option will be usable for probably 10 months of the year in the UK so it represents the most sensible option. Ewww! Swimming around in your own wee is bad enough but someone else’s second had urine? If you intend to keep surfing as much as possible in the UK you’re going to need a wetsuit because even on the hottest days, the water is cold. The most obvious design differences between the two types of wetsuit will likely be around the arms and in the zipper. To give you the best chance of getting the right wetsuit for you, you should measure up all the relevant parts of your body, much in the same way that you would for a tailor or a dressmaker. Surf wetsuits are extremely specific types of gear and have improved dramatically in quality and design over the last 50+ years.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'surflearner_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',109,'0','0'])); As such, if you are going to be surfing regularly, it is recommended that you get a wetsuit by a well-known surf brand. Filed Under: News Tagged With: buy wetsuit, buying a wetsuit, surfing uk, wetsuit, wetsuit buying guide, wetsuit surfing uk, wetsuits for surfing. Refer to the Rip Curl Sizing Chart. OK, so I might have been exaggerating on the last bit but back zip wetsuits do flush much more than chest zip equivalents, and are less comfortable, as will be explained below. Coronavirus Covid-19 Update The surf school will be opening again on Monday 29th of March for 'Click and Collect' surf hire as well as small group surfing lessons. Like all wetsuit items, boots should be as tight fitting as comfortably possible to prevent them filling with water, resulting in heavy and cold feet! Daunting even. Well, believe it or not there are a three solid reasons why wetsuits are … link to What Temperature to Surf in Boardshorts, Surfer Starter Pack: EVERYTHING You Need! Read on to find out what to look for when in order to buy a wetsuit for SUP and kayaking. A 3/2 wetsuit is one where the thickness is 3mm on the core body parts (back, chest, stomach, kidneys) for warmth and 2mm on the arms and legs for flexibility for paddling and crucially for popping up easily. I know it took me a really long time so I wanted to share as many insights and tips as possible to help you through the stages a lot quicker than it took me! Although we all want to think that we could head out to surf in all weathers, the reality is … The placement and length of the chest zip make them much less noticeable than a back zip. No embarrassing cries of;“I’m stuck in my wetsuit. Take a look around and buy online here. This means trying to get one suit that will keep you warm for as long as possible to save you buying more than one. From Monday 12th of April we will be open fully from 10am to 6pm daily. HQ: 01736 755493. Surf wetsuits with liquid-taped seams will help to reduce water rushing into your suit since the liquid rubber used in them is waterproof and also covers up the weak point of the seam itself. So, to help you, here are 10 tips for how to choose a wetsuit for surfing:eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'surflearner_com-box-3','ezslot_0',103,'0','0'])); OK, so to help you get a clearer idea about each of the points above, let’s go into each one in more detail below to make sure that you get the right wetsuit for your surfing needs. Taped or glued seams will not only give you a comfier feeling when your wetsuit is on, but it … Back zips are also the budget offering in terms of wetsuits, likely because they are easier to make than their chest zip counterpart.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'surflearner_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',105,'0','0'])); However, they are not the best choice if you are going to be surfing in cold water since their design means that they let in a lot of cold water and tend to ‘flush’ when you go under the water, giving you a horrible ‘ice bucket challenge’ sensation each time. We get a lot of customers who go cheap on their wetsuit and buy the thickest boots because they say " I feel the cold more". We stock a wide range of both summer or winter wetsuits in a range of sizes, styles, and prices with brands like Quiksilver, Roxy, Gul and Globe. The longer you stay in the water, the more waves you will get. This is where going into a physical store really does come into its own since you can ask the people in the store for their opinion on a wetsuit and for any tips on sizing, which is obviously something that almost impossible to get online. Starting surfing needs gear, and once you get into it a bit more, will come time to get a surfboard to learn to surf on. On the seams of any given wetsuit, there is stitching to hold the different pieces of neoprene used together. Once you do, you can then stick with that brand. The next thing to consider is your chosen surfing location. As mentioned above, surfing in cold water is a chastening experience that can take years to get used to. Remember that surf wetsuits are not cheap but that is because they are highly engineered to try and keep you warm in the sea for several hours at a time, which in itself is pretty incredible! No, you can’t. Can you use a scuba wetsuit for surfing? This surfing wetsuit comes in both the back zip and chest zip versions. There are lots of second-hand wetsuits out there on eBay, Gumtree or those sorts of sites, but do you really want a suit that’s past its use-by date, has holes in the seams letting in that ‘oh so cold’ water? Our extensive range is the largest in the UK and Europe all stock for summer and winter seasons in all shapes and sizes. If you’ve got a few days spare why not come down, enjoy our lovely seaside village and hit the surf with us? These wetsuits will also last longer since the liquid tape adds another type of bond to help keep the seams together. As such, a wetsuit with liquid-taped seams should last longer and keep you warmer in every session, which is great for having a long-lasting wetsuit in colder conditions. Measure your height, chest and waist, and also check your weight; these are then given in sizing guides by wetsuit companies. This is because a chest zip is under your tucked head and chin, making it less exposed to the rush on an oncoming wave when compared to a back zip. There are quite … In the meantime you can book lessons and surf hire through our website or you can call us on 07864 815011. Or just pop in if you’re in Cornwall, we’re open from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week. Our surf and yoga package could be just the ticket. Surf wetsuits are designed to allow dynamic movement in different directions, while scuba wetsuits are not. Since chest-zip wetsuits let in less cold water and do not flush with cold water in the same way that back-zip wetsuits do, spending the extra amount on them is highly recommended if you plan to surf in an area with colder water and are looking at buying a winter wetsuit. There are loads of good quality well-priced wetsuits out there to fit all sizes, shapes and wallets, probably for not much more than you’d pay for a second-hand suit either. The chest zip, on the other hand, has only tight neoprene in this location making the water run over it more freely and with its zip again being less exposed to the force of rushing water. If you intend to keep surfing as much as possible in the UK you’re going to need a wetsuit because even on the hottest days, the water is cold. So, the main surfing wetsuit brands to look out for are as follows: There are lots of different wetsuits to choose from the brands above but, using the temperature guide provided here and the equivalent guides on their websites should help you to pick out one for you. The round toe wetsuit boot is the most popular boot that you can buy. no wetsuit needed! Although this is purely an observation, I have to say I would agree so far from my own experiences with the different wetsuit brands, so something extra there to think about. If you live or plan to surf in an area where the water temperature gets below 55°F, then try to be realistic and think about how often you are likely to go surfing in those months of the year. If you're just getting into triathlon and open water swimming, or looking to upgrade your existing wetsuit, this guide will help you make an informed decision. June 5, 2017 by Lisa Woodruff Leave a Comment. However, having fabric stitches to join different pieces of the material allows for more water to rush into the suit. By looking around you and paying attention to what they are wearing and what is going on, you will be able to see just how many are wearing a certain brand. For example if the water is very cold and under 10c then a 5mm winter suit will be the best choice as the thickness is intended to keep you warm for up to 3 hours. This means it can be like learning to surf all over again to use one of these wetsuits and that they are not best suited to new or less experienced surfers. It’s a good choice for summer surfing in the UK or Europe and will keep you warm from April to November in British surf. To help you choose the right wetsuit for you we have created a number of tools within the site. Wetsuit Buying Guide for UK Surfing. 4mm Wetsuits. Wetsuit Boots / Shoes. Most people keep a wetsuit for a number of seasons, so it makes sense to get a good one that will last you a while. The second is in warmth, as touched on above. You should be able to get an idea of what is too tight just from trying a wetsuit on in a store or at home before you take it out in the surf. Wetsuits come in a variety of options and thicknesses for a variety of water sports activities from just standing knee deep watching the youngsters splash about in the surf, trying a bit of bodyboarding and surfing, to the more serious surfer, competitive triathlete, scuba diver or sailor. In terms of knowing what to wear in surfing, this can be a tricky thing, especially if you're new to the sport and don't know all that much about it. Tel: Surf School/Shop 01736 757579. Boots are a winter surfing essential and can also be worn in warmer water to protect the soles of your feet from rocks and other potentially pain causing objects. HERE’S How Long it Takes to Learn to Surf: Beginner to Advanced. However, on better quality wetsuits you will notice the addition of liquid-taped seams. Back zip wetsuits are easier to climb in and out of so if you’re a little over your fighting weight then I would recommend those. However, there is a way around that, as will be explained in the next section of this article. A good pair of wetsuit boots is essential if you plan to participate in a water sport which involves cold water. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'surflearner_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',110,'0','0'])); As an extra tip, a friend once noted the following: the best surf wetsuit companies usually originate in cold water areas (O’Neill and Xcel from Santa Cruz, California, with Rip Curl from Victoria, Australia). This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, and other Amazon sites around the world. Choose a suit that has glued and blind-stitched seams for a watertight seal and a back zip style is easiest put on and take off. If you decide that going surfing in extremely cold weather is indeed something you want to do, then you should add an underlayer of thermals to keep you covered in the most extreme months of the year. This reality check could be the difference between buying two mediocre wetsuits to be able to surf all year round and buying one excellent wetsuit that might only cover you for 9-10 months of the year but that you know will be top quality. So, the premium option in surf wetsuits is the chest-zip option, which is a big step up in when compared to back-zip wetsuits. Looking for a holiday that combines fun and fitness with relaxation? The zip runs down the middle of the back of the wetsuit and can be pulled up and down using the long cord/lanyard that comes with it.