Novice with a question about wetsuits

[daedelus]

Hi, I'm complete noob to this forum, and despite having lived in Huntington Beach my whole life, a complete noob to surfing. I can't wait to learn, but first I need to get a wetsuit. My questions are directed to anyone, but especially to the southern california surfers.

Since the temps here range from bone-chilling (mid 50s) during winters to just plain cold (60-70) during summers, is a full wetsuit comfortable for year-round surfing or should I get a 3/4 suit for summer and full for winter etc? Is a 5/3 more versatile for our climes or a 4/3? And finally, what makers do you reccommend/would you buy? Thanks so much fellas!

[deathfrog]

get an oneil or ripcurl 3/2 or 4/3 fullsuit and you're usally covered, I usally can get away in my springer down to about 60-62, and full 3/2 can usally go into the fifties fine. If you really want to stay out long and don't mind going with boardies durring the summer or get cold easily, get a 4/3.

ripcurl and oneil are really the best in wetsuits, so they're prime choices. If you can't fafford one of those, get somethingn from body glove or xcel.

you could also get some booties and gloves if you wanted for winter...

[daedelus]

One last question. What do you think about a 4/3 springer into the mid 50s? Think I can get away with that? Thanks a bunch deathfrog! I can't wait to get started.

[deathfrog]

nah get a fullsuit, you really need the coverage on your arms and legs and stuff, because your body might be warm, but your arms and legs will freeeeze and then eventually make you cold.

a 3/2 fullsuit will be warmer than a 3/4 shorty.

you could think about a 3/4 short arm fullsuit, or if you wanted like a 3/3 or 2/4, but those are generally harder to find.

but I got freinds that go out in mid 50's in boardies because they forget their wetsuits (duno how) and stay out for hours...but they come in with hypothermia.

[temptations_wings]

i think a 4/3 fullsuit would cover you. another factor is your body fat content. if youve got a little extra meat on your bones, you can get away with a thinner suit. if your a skinny kid like me, then your going to want a thicker suit.

[deathfrog]

I'm a skinny kid but I grew up in cold water...

[temptations_wings]

im a skinny kid whose not a fan of cold water. i shiver and shake in 55 degree water in my 4/3 with booties. im 5'7 and weigh like 120-123 pounds so i get cold pretty quick out there

[deathfrog]

I usally go for boardies when it passes up sixty five or so and it's sunny.

[temptations_wings]

damn man im a whimp haha

[drowningbitbybit]

62F or so at the moment... And I was out in boardies this weekend!


...And a 2mm O'neill thermal rashvest...

And I admit, I was COLD!!!!

[deathfrog]

I would be too if I was wearing the same thing, I start getting cold in my spring suit around there.

[dondiemand]

Hi, I'm complete noob to this forum, and despite having lived in Huntington Beach my whole life, a complete noob to surfing. I can't wait to learn, but first I need to get a wetsuit. My questions are directed to anyone, but especially to the southern california surfers.

Since the temps here range from bone-chilling (mid 50s) during winters to just plain cold (60-70) during summers, is a full wetsuit comfortable for year-round surfing or should I get a 3/4 suit for summer and full for winter etc? Is a 5/3 more versatile for our climes or a 4/3? And finally, what makers do you reccommend/would you buy? Thanks so much fellas!

i recommend to get a fullsuit like everyone here is saying, not only it will protect u from the cold water, it will also protect u from all other things floating(jellfish, poo, turds, etc.) and oh yeah, sunburn!

[temptations_wings]

you just get a crazy wetsuit tan

[mikeelrapido]

Hi!
I`ll surf from september to febuary in Spain, in La Coruna, so its Atlantic Ocean, and I`ve got the same question - what kind of wetsuit? Fullsuit? I also hate cold water...

[daedelus]

i'm so glad i found this site! anyways I've decided to get a full 3/2 and add a rashguard and skin-shorts for the chilly winters. I've always bodysurfed since childhood and am used to colder waters. And good point about the jellyfish!

oneill has nice looking ones but i noticed they don't have that nylon web behind the zipper that keeps out seepage - just a thin neoprene strip that runs behind the zipper on one side. Is it because they have special watertight zippers and don't need them?

Also, has anyone heard of Sakal wetsuits?

Again, you guys are the best!

[drowningbitbybit]

oneill has nice looking ones but i noticed they don't have that nylon web behind the zipper that keeps out seepage - just a thin neoprene strip that runs behind the zipper on one side. Is it because they have special watertight zippers and don't need them?

Some of the O'neills wetties have got an inner bit that goes over the head and down the back (kinda like a built in rash-vast) so the overlapping neoprene bit round the zip isnt needed. Keeps you warm and makes zipping up on your own a lot easier!

[gar]

batwing!