help with big wetsuit, ankle

[Hopz]

Hello everyone. I've decided I want to learn how to surf. Im just having problems with the wetsuit. Im 6'5" tall and about 330 lbs. I dont exactly fit on the size charts. Any suggestions on where to go for a custom wetsuit? I dont mind spending the extra money for a good one. I hate buying something that would just fall apart. Ive looked around and see posts by short fat guys, and tall skinny guys, but no tall fat guys. I read an article that said O'Niell is supposed to have custom suits. But I cant find it on their website. I live in San Diego, CA.

I also would like to know how much of your ankle is used in surfing? Im in the military, and had a bad ankle injury. The foot and ankle has been fused together. I can move it up and down with no problem. But i will never be able to move it side to side. Im hopeing this wont affect my ability to surf.

Thanks for any advice!

[billie_morini]

Hopz,
Thank you for serving our country. Am sorry your ankle was damage during this contribution. But, fear not and learn to surf! You will learn to surf with what your ankle allows. You’re not going to be a pro or anything like that anyway (like I did, you are starting later in life). So don’t let it stop you. Many of the guys that contribute to this forum know surfers that have far worse disabilities (me included: know some and have disability). There are surfers without arms or legs and those that are paralyzed in small and large portions of their bodies. Remember this: the best surfer is the one that is having the most fun.

I know a French immigrant that outweighs you that surfs semi-regularly in the Huntington Beach area. I’m sure he’d surf more, but he holds a high level position in a prestigious engineering firm and doesn’t have the time.

These businesses specialize in repairs and/or custom suits. Contact them and ask if they can help you. In some cases, you’ll find they are willing to modify a suit to fit customers better. Whatever you do, do not have a surfing wetsuit made/modified by businesses that exclusively handle divers’ suits. There are significant differences in the demands from each sport and many diving oriented shops are clueless about these differences.

http://www.swell-stuff.com/wetsuit_repair.html
Encinitas, CA

http://www.expresswetsuit.com/ifyouneedalterations.htm
San Clemente, Ca
(internet & mail order only)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/surf-n-sea-cust ... -san-diego
San Diego, CA

http://www.slowtwitch.com/giles/giles.html
Vista, CA

http://www.hotlineonline.com/index.shtml
Santa Cruz , CA
(they used to make custom suits. Not sure they still do. Inquire with them)

[billie_morini]

Also, Hopz. Be sure to see the photo at this link within this forum
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=16061

[Rick Monroe]

I know this is a very late post but I hope this helps other people looking to fix or alter their wetsuit. I have messed up legs from a car accident years ago and as a result my legs are very small and I have had problems with my wetsuits taking in ALLOT of water. I searched the web to see if I could find someone that could help me with this problem and found Express Wetsuit Repair http://www.expresswetsuit.com. They have fixed several of my suites and did a very good job. Problem solved! Hope this helps

[jaffa1949]

Hi Hopz from Downunder Australia looks like you're getting good local advice, get suited and hit the water, and since you didn't surf before your ankle will do what is necessary for you to surf now, it has nothing previous to unlearn.

Big guys can surf