Surfing Waves

My kids both have decent wetsuits, 9yo has a full 3mm yachty one, 11yo has a 4/3mm surf one - both steamer (is that the right term?) and 3mm shoes (not boots) but no gloves. Have simple rashies, could get thermal rashies easy enough if if helps

We are off to SW Scotland in June, near Luce sands - they want to take surf kit, I think it will still be too cold

My guess is water will be 11 or 12C - any one else take their kids out at that kind of temperature?

My 10yr old daughter lasts about 25 min in a 3/2 mm in 20 deg water...but she is a little petal and about 1% body fat. Also too skinny for the wet suit and doesn't like waves.... (and isn't surfing)

Sorry, got no advice other than kids tend to feel the cold more, as you probably know; although at times say nothing until they have turned blue. A 2mm thermal vest might be worthwhile. I guess they will tell you within 5 minutes if all your packing and hauling of surf gear has been worthwhile or you were right and it was too cold

thanks dtc

you are right, kids seem to vary in their cold tolerance - some if it seems to be mental too. My 9yo is pretty tough, has had her teeth chattering from cold and refused to come out of the water. My 11yo is less tolerant/keen, hence the 4/3 suit

Last summer we could surf all day in 16/17C water at Bantham, youngest was in a 3/2 and did ok. My view is a full 3mm and rashie wont be enough - the difference from 16 to maybe 11C is a lot - but it would be good to hear from someone who has tried

I've been scuba diving in 11C and it wasn't fun...there are a few regulars from colder climes who hopefully will chime in; I haven't surfed in anything under 15C