Rash vest or wetsuit? - summer?

Question

I'm going to Huntington beach in southern California this summer and it'll be quite a change from surfing in the wild north sea around Scotland. Do i need a summer wetsuit or just a rash vest and shorts for summer surfing in CA?

Answer 1

The water in California never gets all that warm, all summer. But, especially for a cold water surfer, you should be fine in a rash guard & board shorts. When you refer to vest, I don't know if you mean a neoprene, wetsuit vest, but if you do, remember that air temperature will be fairly warm, and on a day without much wind, you'll be too hot (at least by my standards). I am a cold water surfer too, but with H20 temps above 17 or 18, I am fine without any 'rubber' at all. Have a good trip, if you stop on the east coast, we really do have some great surf spots (and warmer summer water - the Gulf Stream does it).

Answer 2

i usually wear a wetsuit top and some shorts cuz i like to stay warm. sometimes i'll just wear shorts and maybe a rashguard

Answer 3

usually you wont need much. The most you will need is a rashgaurd and boardshorts. Unless you would rather do without the shorts....somepeople do. It will be nice there so you may be quite hot in a wet suit. Rashguard sounds good to me. =] have fun and enjoy the waves, beach, and weather!

Answer 4

if you don't get cold easily you will be fine with a rash guard and shorts.  Good luck!

Answer 5

As little as you can get away with

Answer 6

i surfed there before i wore a 2mm shorty wetsuit because the water ant cold but it isnt warm either

Answer 7

STAY IN SCOTLAND!

seriously, HB is too crowded anyway.

And you don't need any sort of wettie whatsoever in summer, expecially if you're from scotland

You should be more wworried about where there will be quality waves during summer instead of what you'll be wearing

goodness

Answer 8

It depends on when you go in the summer but many locals use a 2 mil vest and shorts.  It helps early in the mornings or when the wind kicks up.  Otherwise, just use a regular rashguard.  Since your body is used to colder water, you will likely find the water very warm compared to how warm the locals think it is.