How thick should a winter wetsuit be?

Question

I just out grew my old wetsuit, and i need a new one thats thicker for the nor cal waters.

Answer 1

It really depends on how cold the winter is, how cold the water is, and how well you tolerate being cold. =P I've never surfed nor.cal., but I grew up surfing many winters here in so.cal. and honestly, when I was younger, I didn't use a wetsuit at all. Just a itty bitty bikini. =P I was tough. =P

These days I don't handle the cold so well, but I also don't surf much in the winter anymore (I have a baby to look after).

You should check out some local surf shops and ask them, or possibly ask an experienced surfer, or google some wetsuit manufacturers/brands and see what they recommend.

Answer 2

At least less than 70 IQ

Answer 3

A warm diver is a happy diver! And a safe one, too. I dive here in Indiana; in fact, I dove 3 weeks ago in 46º water wearing a 7mm with a hood. I lasted 36 minutes before it was time to get out.  I don't know about the water temps in northern California, but my advice (yes, coming from a novice diver who's only been certified since the end of August) would be to purchase the thickest one you can get.  I do have two wetsuits, a 3mm in addition to the 7mm because up until the end of September, the 3mm was sufficient protection, even in midwestern quarries. Maybe you should get a thicker one for use now, and when it gets warmer, a thinner one.

Either way, stay warm, and happy diving!

SCUBA ROCKS!!