Surfing Waves

I have a 6mm with integrated hood that I enter through the neck, great for winter here in New England where water temps get below 40F in March.
But putting it on and taking it off in the back seat of my car is a pain. Other than February/March, I think I could get away with a 4/3 and a vest with a hood. I need a 4/3 or 5mm that has some sort of zipper that splits it up like my 3/2, so I can put it on easier and quicker.
Any recommendations?

Do you mean a back zip suit? They are much easier than front zip to get on and off but have some (minor to more significant depending on your opinion) disadvantages.

Someone suggested wearing compression gear to make it easier to get the suit on and off (sorry can't remember who to credit with that idea)

Back Zips are easier to get on AND easier for water to get in. It's up to you for which is more important. Are you using the plastic shopping bag trick to get your feet and arms in easier ?

Also, why are you putting it on in the back seat of your car? Standing up outside will instantly make things 92.7% easier.

dtc wrote:Also, why are you putting it on in the back seat of your car? Standing up outside will instantly make things 92.7% easier.

I think I know why the poo stance is evident, the hunched position comes from the extreme yoga of putting on an arctic thick wetsuit in the back of a car! Quasimodo was an old surfing term, we now know why!

dtc wrote:Also, why are you putting it on in the back seat of your car? Standing up outside will instantly make things 92.7% easier.

it's cold out Coldest I've been out surfing the air temp was in the low 20s. After the session I get in my car and put the heat on full blast.
Plus I actually think it's easier to put it on in the car because I am already hunched over.

jaffa1949 wrote:I think I know why the poo stance is evident, the hunched position comes from the extreme yoga of putting on an arctic thick wetsuit in the back of a car! Quasimodo was an old surfing term, we now know why!

I honestly think it's easier in the car for me.

dtc wrote:Do you mean a back zip suit?

yeah, like my 3/2. Unless they make anything with a front zip that also splits the wetsuit, but I haven't seen anything like that.
I'm just trying to shave a few minutes off each session.

waikikikichan wrote:Back Zips are easier to get on AND easier for water to get in. It's up to you for which is more important. Are you using the plastic shopping bag trick to get your feet and arms in easier ?

I'm trying to save time so I think the extra step with the bags will actually add time. I think it's OK if some water gets in, I want to save the 6mm for when it's really really cold , but many times I have been using it and been too warm because I don't have any good intermediate wetsuit.

So you're saying you never used a plastic bag to help get on your wetsuit. You should try it. It saves time and your wetsuit.

Why don't you put your wetsuit on fully or half way at home? Drive to your local coffee shop in your wetsuit, chat up the barista, and then off you go to your surf spot. Seems easier than wriggling like Houdini putting your wetsuit on in the car.

RinkyDink wrote:Seems easier than wriggling like Houdini putting your wetsuit on in the car.

I find it just as time consuming to put it on at home. It's that neck hole.

We've got to get a video crew to PM's home town and do a day in the life study!
Back seat rubber yoga, slow wave surfing ( a lot of the problem is that wave) fin dynamics.
Plot suggestions , half dress man in rubber suit with plastic bags on feet and hands goes to local coffee shop!! Penguin disguise FAIL,
I might poke fun but in your climate your STOKE is amazing, I realise how lucky my surf situation is!


This is how I prepared for the long search for the Mysto Austrian Point Break !

jaffa1949 wrote:We've got to get a video crew to PM's home town and do a day in the life study!
Back seat rubber yoga, slow wave surfing ( a lot of the problem is that wave) fin dynamics.

And sometimes getting so tired of trying to lug that Bic out that the session is spent in white water dodging said fins.