Ok I am a newbie to surfing and need info about wetsuits, can you help?

Question

I have recently started surfing, I am still training and trying to learn all that I need to know before I chase the big waves.

Anywho, my friend told me I should invest in a wetsuit.

Ok I wont lie I am fat 5'7 195lbs and I need to know what size to buy. Is it like shirts? Would I buy a XL since thats my shirt size???

What are the purposes of them besides keep you warm in the water??

And finnaly what brand would you recommend? I dont have much cash so I prob cant afford Quicksilver

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

if you go to a local surfshop they will know what size you are.

that is about the only purpose. to keep you warm.

i recomend o'neal, volcom, or ripcurl

Answer 2

For size you just have to try it on. If you are looking for a cheaper suit see if any surf shops have a sale rack.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 3

Size wise- you're probably an XLS.  The best thing to do is to try on selections from different companies to see whose fit is best for your body type.

Pricing- O'neill offers full suits starting at $99 and Quiksilver has full suits starting at $110.  So expect to start in the $100 range, unless you can find something at a garage sale or on Craigslist.

The purpose of a wetsuit is just that- to keep you warm.  The wetsuit traps a layer of water between you and the suit, your body heats the water and that keeps you warm.  If your suit doesn't fit properly, every time you go under water you'll get "flushed"- it means that the warm water gets pushed out by cold water and the process of heating the layer starts all over.  Staying warm in the water allows you to stay out longer.  Good Luck!

Answer 4

My two cents: Go to a surf shop to get the right fit and thickness for your water temps. A new wetsuit will last for 10 years if it's properly cared for. A few years back, I got caught in a big rip and ended up on the rock jetty trying to save my board. When I got out of the water, I realized that the wetsuit had several cuts in the chest area.I was not injured. So, not only will the suit keep you warm, it will protect you from injury, and ward off the jelly fish.

Kim_Dude, I have three wet suits and never peed in any of them. Besides, the full suits are seam welded. I wouldn't want that to stay in my suit during a session. But I know what you're talking about.

Answer 5

go to oneills website they have size charts and everything you can even custom your own

Answer 6

Go to any local surf shop and they'll be able to help you with your wetsuit size. They'll just fit you in and you'll be ready to roll. The purpose? Hmm... well, I guess that besides keeping you warm, they're just another form of swimmers and I think that they can help waves wash over you, instead of dragging you like a rashie or boardshorts.

Your friend is right, for a newbie, wetsuits are a good way to go.

As for reccomended brands, I reckon Peak is pretty good, while Quicksliver is worth it in the long run, so try and find a cheap-er suit. Xcel and Sola are kewl where I am right now, but Ripcurl is always a good brand.

Answer 7

Your gonna have to try them on.  All the brands will fit a little different so even if lets say you're a XLS in all the brands maybe one will be more comfortable or you won't like where a seam is in another.

Summer is actually a pretty good time to buy wetsuits since shops are trying to unload their left over winter gear.  I don't like second hand wetsuits unless they're from a friend.  Everybody pees in them and if they say they don't they're lying.