Paddling with a wetsuit = energy sucker?

[Beachbum]

So I've tried my recent long-sleeve-wetsuit top which felt a bit tight out of water, and the water did loosen it up a bit. The thing is whenever I'm paddle, I feel like like a stretched rubber band as the suit has this resistance on my arms with each stroke. Do all wetsuits feel like that because this is my first time wearing one since I was 7. I enjoy feeling warm, but damn those paddle outs are a pain in the ass.

[Supafly]

Hahaha you haven't experienced anything yet. Yes most wetsuits, if it is cold enough for one are like that. However they are becoming more flexible and what not but will always drain your energy quicker than not wearing one because of the extra resistance.

In Dunedin, NZ i needed at least a 4/3 steamer wetsuit just to stay semi cold. It is rough at 1st especially as you are saying you have never worn anything that resembles a wetsuit since 7 (you lucky SOB) but as you get used to it, it wont be as difficult. You will also find that when you take it off, you will have more paddling stamina and strength coz you wont have that resistance of the wettie anymore, which is what i found out when i spent a couple of weeks in Gissy and my few surfs here in aus

[esonscar]

Yup - a wetsuit has to be moved as you paddle, and is buoyant so you even have to 'force' it into and under the water for your paddling stroke !

Its all mega exercise so don't despair 'cause a wetsuit less day will rock - except 'cause you are now not wearing a wetsuit you'll sit lower in the water and it is just as hard to paddle ! OMG ! LOL ..... Pfft - enjoy it all anyways ! .......

[Aloha]

I had the first surf of the Autumn season in my steamer on Monday, I went full retard!
I was missing waves, getting pitched over the falls when I pulled back, legs all over the shop, arms tired etc. It was like I'd never surfed before. Yours however sounds too tight, paddling might be more laboured from weight but you shouldn't feel restricted.

God I hate getting used to wearing wetties again. It seems to affect me in a big way at the start of the colder months. I wish I was more cold resistant and could stay in my spring suit all year long.

[kitesurfer]

So I've tried my recent long-sleeve-wetsuit top which felt a bit tight out of water, and the water did loosen it up a bit. The thing is whenever I'm paddle, I feel like like a stretched rubber band as the suit has this resistance on my arms with each stroke. Do all wetsuits feel like that because this is my first time wearing one since I was 7. I enjoy feeling warm, but damn those paddle outs are a pain in the ass.

Welcome to our world! Yes they do, still in my full winter steamer at the mo.

KS

[Beachbum]

I had the first surf of the Autumn season in my steamer on Monday, I went full retard!
Yours however sounds too tight, paddling might be more laboured from weight but you shouldn't feel restricted.

Yeah, how do I know if it's too tight? On dry land it feels a bit too tight, but in water it loosens it up a bit, but it's still like a leech on my skin. I can't return the suit since i bought it off Overstock and used it twice lol. Maybe the company will help me out.

[Supafly]

Yeah, how do I know if it's too tight? On dry land it feels a bit too tight, but in water it loosens it up a bit, but it's still like a leech on my skin. I can't return the suit since i bought it off Overstock and used it twice lol. Maybe the company will help me out.

Correct me if I am wrong anyone. But isn't the wetsuit supposed to be like that and "leech" to your skin? this is what keeps you warm, it traps a thin layer of water inside and then "leeches" itself to you and your body heat warms up the water, which in turn keeps your body heat in as best as possible. If it didn't do this then you would have water sloshing everywhere and you would get cold very quickly. Which would defeat the purpose of wearing one in the first place.

[tree4]

So I've tried my recent long-sleeve-wetsuit top which felt a bit tight out of water, and the water did loosen it up a bit. The thing is whenever I'm paddle, I feel like like a stretched rubber band as the suit has this resistance on my arms with each stroke. Do all wetsuits feel like that because this is my first time wearing one since I was 7. I enjoy feeling warm, but damn those paddle outs are a pain in the ass.

Welcome to our world! Yes they do, still in my full winter steamer at the mo.

KS

Softie. I did Puts yesterday in my summer suit. (plus rashie ofc)

[Aloha]

Yeah, how do I know if it's too tight? On dry land it feels a bit too tight, but in water it loosens it up a bit, but it's still like a leech on my skin. I can't return the suit since i bought it off Overstock and used it twice lol. Maybe the company will help me out.

If it feels like it resists your movement, especially paddling, then it's not a good fit or it's a bad design. The top end suits from Rip Curl, Billabong and O'Neill are all very light and very flexible, but even wearing those it's like sex with a condom it's not quite the real thing, you lose some feeling.

[Johno]

Ha ha this makes me lafe! yep in 5/4 steamer Thermal rashi with hud, 3mm glooves and 5 mm boots and it drains ya enegy and power fast. I paddle out do a few poop ups in all that gear and am Fxxked. time to padle back in. Good training for when that warm water comes and summer suit ye ha.

O and welcome to cold water surfing

[Beachbum]

I'm glad it's just a wesuit ordeal. You crazy penquin surfers must have a lot of endurance; to put up with the freezing water while feeling like a stiff rubber band. Hopefully I'll become a better paddler when I don't have to wear this wetsuit.

[billie_morini]

Reminds me of a funny experience. I learned to surf in northern California where the water is always cold. I wore a 4/3 suit there and it required additional effort to paddle against this suit. After a couple of years, I went to Cocoa Beach, Florida. Although it was was Winter, the water temperature was still a lot warmer than I was used to, so I went surfing for the very first time without a wetsuit. I'd never experienced unrestricted paddling before and put as much force into paddling as I was accustomed to. The result of these actions is that I was "punching" the water with each stroke!

[Unorthodox]

^ That's funny!
I surf in Maine, where we have some of the coldest surface water temperatures anywhere, thanks to the Atlantic currents that bring frigid water down from the northern reaches.

I wear a 5/4 with a hood, 7mm boots and 5 or 7mm gloves all winter and up to late may or early june, then I switch to a 3/2, no gloves, and 3 mil boots. In July I can usually do without the boots, but the 3/2 stays on for all but the hottest days, then I wear my spring suit. I've never surfed with just trunks/rashguard, but I will be doing so this summer if just for the experience. Unfortunately, our summers are mostly flat up here...

In about a month I'll be heading to Florida, where I'll be surfing in a couple spots. It'll be very interesting to surf in the warm water!