Surfing Waves

Hey guys! I'm Alex, rookie from South California. I've done about 15 hours of surfing this summer in Huntington over the span of 6 days. Managed to stand on the board in white waves near the end. Sadly vacation ended before I got a chance to progress further. Still wanna go on and surf once a week starting from November.
Just wondering what I should have to get through the winter...my guess is a fullsuit 4/3 but maybe 3/2 is enough? Want to be warm but obviously flexibility is important too.
Is "O'Neill" a decent brand to go for? I'm ready to invest so looking for the best option.
Thanks in advance.

boostsurfer wrote:Is "O'Neill" a decent brand to go for?

Yes, Oneill is decent.

boostsurfer wrote: I'm ready to invest so looking for the best option.

What other brand "options" have you found ?

But I would go with at least a 4/3 in a Back Zip until you get used to putting on / taking off and taking care of your wetsuit.

I surf Malibu area which is a little bit colder, and last winter I never took my 4/3 out. Admittedly there were times that I could have, but it was very rare for me to feel cold sitting in the line up. Of course it's also a personal preference thing, right now I still go out in board shorts and a 2mm long-sleeve top (haven't done any dawn patrols yet this fall though.)

If I were buying only 1 wetsuit for SoCal, I would buy a good, warm 3/2 rather than a 4/3, as there are far more 3/2 days than 4/3 days (unless maybe you only do dawn patrol, even then most of the year calls for a 3/2.) Maybe set aside a little money for a budget 4/3 if you find it a little cold early next year (when it tends to be coldest.)