Wetsuit dilemma!!!

[Big G]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for a good wetsuit that I can wear all year round.

I'm 6'4 and have a 33" waist and am finding that most suits for taller people also cater for the larger gut!

Any ideas...I'll mainly be bodyboarding at random times of the year due to unfortunately living in London.

[sinistapenguin]

Hi

The 'all year round' suit is not easy to find. About 10 years ago, when wetsuit technology wasn't as good, you could get a winter suit and be a bit cold in the winter and a bit hot in the summer. Nowadays if you buy a good winter suit you'll be far too hot in the summer.

My friend just bought a 4/3 Salomon S-Core suit and he went out last week and was baking hot!

I have a 3/2 Rip Curl summer suit and a 2mm long sleaved 'hot skin' - a thick rash vest. This makes my suit into a 5/4 on the top in the winter (although it obviously doesn't perform as well as a proper 5/4. I then have a pair of neoprene Quiksilver shorts (2mm).

This means I can have extra warmth in the winter and if we manage to get some really hot weather and waves or I go abroad I can have what is essentially a long sleeved shorty - just the hot skin and shorts.

I have to say though I just got my new suit, finally laying to rest a 14 year old quicksilver 3/2 and the difference is unbelievable. In November I was still toasty warm without putting the 'hot skin' on.

My main advice is - Never buy a wetsuit without trying it on first. Put the suit on and move your arms through the whole range of paddling motions. Crouch down as close as you can to the floor.

Most modern suits are 'super stretchy' so you shouldn't have any problems. - Watch for looseness around the neck, bagginess under the arms. It should fit pretty much snug all over, but without being restrictive.

Be prepared to spend money on a good suit. The Salomon S-CORE (3/2) is about £170. Rip Curl Ultimate Elasto Slickskin (what I have) is also good (it's the one Bosley wears in Charlie's Angels II). But at the lower end SOLA make good quality suits.

I would also recommend getting one with some colour on the upper half. It will help people keep track of where you are - if you're surfing with your mates, they'll be able to find you again, or if like me you have a wife who is forced to watch - she'll be able to see you easier!!

Cheers

Sinista

[Big G]

Thanks for the reply mate. Much appreciated. Have you heard anything about circle one's new range?

I normally beg steal or borrow a suit but as i'm going out more regularly now it's getting a bit annoying. I'm going down to Helston for Flora day weekend and I might be tempted into treating myself to one.

I went in at gwithian last month in a borrowed suit and kept getting flushed through due to the borrowed suit I was wearing. It was a wee bit chilly!

Damn good to get in the water though even if the surf was poop!

[kieran]

seeing as you are tall and thin if you have alot of cash go for a custom snugg. Ive heard amazing things about them and its definatly gonna be my next suit

[Big G]

Probably a bit out of my price range but thanks for the suggestion.

Its wierd why manufacturers think that just cos you're 6'4 tall you must be 6'4 wide...surely most people who surf/bodyboard etc. are in shape?

[sinistapenguin]

Good point!

In fact because of the way that surfing builds muscle - surfers tend to be lean.

The Snugg shop in N. Devon (Braunton I think) sells custom suits that people ended up not buying. You may find something there. My friend found one that was reasonably priced.

Good on you for getting in the water inspite of having to beg, steal, borrow kit!!

Cheers

Sinista

[Big G]

I'll check it out if I get chance as I'm driving past. Cheers sinista. And to be honest I would have gone in in a summer suit if I'd have had to...anything to get in the sea!