Wet suits-Surfing!?

Question

Hi,

I am thinking of taking up surfing as a hobby, and was looking into getting a wet suit? Can anyone please tell me the best make of wetsuit, and the thickness I should be getting? As they come in different sizes dont they? I live in the UK

Thanks :)

Answer 1

go to your local surf shop and try on a few suits only then will you be able to know which one fits your body the best.  get a thicker suit with a hood to start.  then build it from there if you get the surfing bug youll soon have a suit for any occasion or weather.  good luck  - surfing is like falling in love you cant explain it unless you fallen a few times

Answer 2

Welcome aboard. It's always good to here about the spread of surfing to the UK, our friends across the pond. You will probably need a wetsuit as much as those of us the the northeast US do, or more (we have a lot of warming from the Gulf Stream). But don't shop on line.

There are lots of good wetsuit manufacturers, at different price levels and thicknesses. Go to a real surf shop, and talk to the folks there. (a real surf shop, not a bathing suit store that sells some surfboards). They can help you out with lessons, a surfboard (or board rental until you are ready to buy) and WETSUITS. Different thicknesses are appropriate for different water temperatures, so there are seasonal differences in what you will need. Below 15, I wear a full 4/3 suit, and booties, but over that, I am comfortable in a 3/2 'spring suit'. You see, you have a lot to learn and absorb before you make any purchasing decisions. The best advice will come from good, dedicated surfers, working in a real, local surf shop.

Answer 3

Just find a surf shop and try them on.  All the major brands are good, but they each have there own features that you may or may not like and their sizes all fit a little bit differently.  Head on out to Cornwall and get some local help.

Answer 4

Go with Excel. get the 5/4 mil, get one with a built in hood, cause UK is d**n cold.

Answer 5

personally, i really like o'neill wetsuits. billabong makes some good suits, but if you want to spend that much i suggest the o'neill psycho I which is about $290 (the psycho II is really nice too but close to $400). i have the psycho I and really like how it has exterior sealed seams as well as interior sealed seams in the chest area. it also has the z.e.n. closure in the back so that water that comes in through the zipper never reaches your body; it is channelled right out so it keeps you warmer. it's really lightweight too. it comes in 3/2 and 4/3.

i'd suggest trying on a suit before buying if it's possible. all companies sizes are a little different, and a wetsuit just won't work if it's too big or too small. it should be snug, but not so much that you have difficulties breathing or moving.

4/3 (or 3/2 or 5/4, etc.) refer to the thickness of the suit. the 4 means it is 4mm thick in the chest area and 3 means 3mm thick in the arms and legs. thicker suits will keep you warmer but loose some flexibility. depending on the water temperature in the uk, a suit anywhere from 3/2-6/5/4 should be fine.