Surfing in Scotland; wetsuit

[Thedutchone]

Hey guys,

I spend most of my life in Indonesia (yeah yeah, I know. Lucky bum!) and now I'm going to start at the University of Edinburgh in mid september, and I figured I need a good wetsuit to last me a few years so that I don't ice-cube trying to catch some waves (contrast with Indo).. Problem is, after growing up in mostly tropical waters I have no idea what kind of things I am looking for?

From what I've read its mostly about having the right fit, so that movement isn't took restricted and so that water doesn't slush around in your wettie. Other than that, I'm at loss.

Which brands are notoriously bad? What kind of size should I be looking at (thickness)? Do I need a summer and a winter one or are winters so bad that no one even bothers? Do people get heated ones? Do people get them made for them (like in Indo I'd get a board made rather than buy it from the shop) or will a shop have a broad enough range (I'm quite tall, about 2m03 or about 6'6" - 6'7")

Sorry I'm asking some basic questions, any information is very much appreciated.

[jaffa1949]

Wow, Itu perubahan yang sangat serius iklim, serious sealed seam wetty needed. Still colder than Australia so hopefully the Scots on this forum can help. Whisky or Bols could be an after surf tipple. I know porridge helps.

[Rickyroughneck]

I surf Wales, UK which is warmer than Scotland by a good few degrees. Here the water temperature got down to 7 degrees C this summer, and I think in Scotland it goes down to about 4 degrees C. Very chilly stuff!

You will want two suits, I am not sure about summer, but for winter you will want a quality 6/5/4, with boots, gloves and a cap.

For summer a 4/3 perhaps.

Boots try to get a split toe for the big toe, they are so much more comfortable.

With the gloves, try to get mittens with joint fingers, they are a real boost to your paddling.

The head balaclava is the most important part, as most heat is lost there. Buy one you can tuck into the wetsuit at the shoulders, make sure it has no perforated part for the ears for hearing as that lets a lot of water in. Lastly try to get one with a bit of a visor, because that stops it flushing so badly when you duck dive or whenever you go into the water head first. Do not get one of those stupid cap things that do not cover the neck, I can't believe they are even sold as they are barely better than wearing nothing at all.

I am telling you this so you don't have to buy everything twice as I did.


A word of warning, cold weather surfing will be a shock to you. If you are freezing your ass off, get out. A good measure is to wiggle your fingers, if they are slow then get out. Your first session will be a shock, but power through it because I heard Scotland has some sweet waves!

Also, bring a good coat you can whack on as soon as you take the top half your wetsuit off. It is nice!

[Thedutchone]

Thank you very much for your help, I got to admit I'm a bit nervous about it all.

Would you have any advice regarding the brand?