Will wearing a short-sleeved rashguard when I go surfing make the Water colder?orWarmer?

Question

Live in Florida on the Gulf Coast so basically only time can surf is in winter months when the waters cold.

Have been out a few times when it's cold in rashguard and doesn't seem to make me any warmer.

Can't afford wetsuit.

Answer 1

as a fellow gulf coast surfer i know from experience that a wetsuit is a must, especially during the winter.  a rashguard is simply meant to be a layer between your skin and the board so that you dont get chafed by the wax on your board.  if you want to stay warm you need a wetsuit.  for the gulf go with a 3/2 full suit.  it will get you through the coldest winter mornings here (ive been out surfing with frost on my car in my 3/2) since usually the water doest dip below 60.  you shouldnt need one too much longer this season since its starting to warm up again so start saving for next year.

Answer 2

No it will make u not make u warmer, in fact, it might even make u colder because it absorbs water and then sticks 2 ur skin. I got a full suit a while ago and it only cost $70

Answer 3

lol rashguards are for tourists.

if you can't afford a fullsuit save your money.

what is more important.....dog food or a brand new chunk of neoprene. of course the latter.

If you really must wear a rashguard at least wear an old shirt instead.

baggy and ripped up.

Answer 4

Rash guards are designed to dry quickly, and not hold the water, so they don't weigh you down. That being said, however, wearing wet clothing in the open air accelerates the rate at which body heat is lost. Therefore, you will not only feel colder (cooler?) but actually speed up heat loss and risk hypothermia. Buy a cheap wetsuit or wetsuit vest. It's worth it. Somebody will lend you the money. If you call any of your weather or water temperature there "cold" in the winter, you have to move up here and surf with us in the northeast. Also, I have yet to see a wave on the Florida Gulf coast without a named storm chasing it. Do you have some really neat surf spot that nobody else knows about?

Answer 5

You wear a rash guard?  Why would you want to buy a wet suit?  Here in Hawaii, we use neither, it's so much better without.... =P

Answer 6

rashguards are too thin. you could buy a used wetsuit, or just a top of the wetsuit. $40-$50 maybe. if you can't afford that then just eat more meat.