Surfing Waves

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/water-sports-gear/wetsuit-design-science-newcomer-nessler-marine-x/

Summary
California State University San Marcos professors Sean Newcomer and Jeff Nessler are using science to improve wetsuit design. Their conclusions?

“The average surfer didn’t need the extra millimeters around their core (unless perhaps they were riding waves near the Arctic Circle). Instead, they needed the thickest neoprene over the lower half of their body—the calves, thighs, stomach, and lower back. Those were the regions submerged in water for the most amount of time and consequently the areas that lost the most heat. Those regions also received the least exposure to the sun and weren’t utilized as much as the upper body’s paddling muscles.

The upper body wetsuit design should be tailored more toward mobility while thermal insulation should be paramount over the lower body.”

I applaud using science to improve wetsuits and hope they will also consider this. As I sit during long lulls at my NorCal break what gets me shivering the most is the wind! What say you?

My problem is that the water flush through the neck. For a brand new wetsuit, I can usually get 1-2 months of surfing before the neck area starts getting loose. It's usually my upper body/chest area that feels the coldest as the water rushes in when a wave breaks on top of me.

Now days I just wear a vest guard inside the wetsuit.

I always chuckle seeing the newstands U.S. magazines touting the "best of the best" cars of the year. Same goes for when Satb and Hnertia websites review their "top wetsuits of 2022". There's way more better fitting, flexible and warmer wetsuits out there........ you just need to know where to look.

BaNZ wrote:My problem is that the water flush through the neck. For a brand new wetsuit, I can usually get 1-2 months of surfing before the neck area starts getting loose. It's usually my upper body/chest area that feels the coldest as the water rushes in when a wave breaks on top of me. Now days I just wear a vest guard inside the wetsuit.

In the winter I wear a rashie and a vest. I'm warm at the expense of flexibility!

Dunno why advanced science is required. I rely on electric blanket when the watervis cold.

BaNZ: stop wetsuit flushing. Glue your wetsuit collar to your neck. Problem solved.