Surfing Waves

Looking at going to the Scottish coast, mostly to avoid the crazy crowds down south - average summer temperature looks to b c14C. We tend to only surf summer autumn and found 4/3 okay in England

Kids need new suits, wavering between something like a 4/3 O'Neill Epic (or similar) or a 5mm - prices aren't that different, but I dont know if a 5mm is more effort to swim in

FWIW I have a 4/3 Epic which is in decent shape - what can I do to eak out a bit more warmth?

Search “ Body Glove Insotherm 0.5mm hooded vest “.

It really helps to keep you core warm so the body doesn’t need to draw heat from your arms and legs as much. Plus it stops the heat from escaping from the top of your head.

The weather makes a huge difference. I surfed at Belhaven Bay in two summers - one was very sunny, the other apparently more typical - wet and cool and windy. Water temperature was 12°C. During the second summer, it felt like freezing in my 4/3 including Hood and booties. My daughter had a combined vest+hood under her 4/3 wetsuit wich suited her well. I never had a 5mm wetsuit, so cannot say how the difference feels.

Oldie wrote:The weather makes a huge difference. I surfed at Belhaven Bay in two summers - one was very sunny, the other apparently more typical - wet and cool and windy.

I've also surfed Belhaven in two summers and know exactly what you mean, the first summer I couldn't believe I was in Scotland, the second summer I couldn't believe it was actually summer.

Lovely pint of Belhaven Best from the local brewery though, worth the trip alone...

For the UK East coast I don't feel comfortable into anything less than a 4/3, I could probably wear a 3/2 in August/September but I'd still want to layer up underneath.
Scottish West coast is a different story because of the Gulf Stream, a 3/2 would be fine for the warmer months (then you just have to deal with the midges)

Our coldest days is 14c here. I just use a 3/2mm wetsuit and 3mm boots! Just recently I started wearing a rashguard underneath the wetsuit. Turns out it's really helps with water seeping through the tiny holes and tears. It's so much better than wearing 4/3. I don't surf long when it is 14c so 3/2mm only keeps me warm for about 1 hour ish.

Buzz wrote:…
Lovely pint of Belhaven Best from the local brewery though, worth the trip alone...

Absolutely And Golf at Dunbar, too!!

Never been to Scotland, but have surfed Morro Bay the winter, 40degree (or less) air, 55degree water. I used a 4/3 with hood and booties, and a thermal rash guard. I remember being cold out of the water but fine in it. 5/4/3 would be even nicer