Surfing Wetsuits

Being exposed to the chilly water conditions continuously is unfortunately just part of the surfing experience. Even in the warmer surf, spending a long time in the water can sap the heat from your body. When you are riding a wave, the spray from the waves can sometimes feel chillier than the water itself. The wet skin and air carry away body warmth more easily; this is where surfing wetsuits come to the rescue.

Wetsuits help hold and trap a thin layer of water between the wetsuit and skin, this layer of moisture is heated by the body core temperature, which helps the wetsuit and body work in concert.

Wetsuits are made from a material called neoprene, which is a special synthetic rubber that contains thousands of air pockets. This helps trap the insulation in as well as making it light and elastic. Wetsuits fit firmly to the body without allowing too much air or water to circulate between the layers. For full length surfing wetsuits, they should fit reasonably well around the neck, wrists and ankles, which is the place whereby the water may enter the wetsuit and let the heat escape. You still obviously want the wetsuits to have some breathability and movement.

Surfing wetsuits are available in a wide selection of styles and designs for men, women and children. Some wetsuit designs are fashionable; other aspects of surfing wetsuits are purposeful. These include Velcro, zippers, seams and sealing material around the openings and extra padding on torso and knees.

Zippers are not generally placed directly down the front of the body as this would make lying on the surfboard or body board uncomfortably.

Surfing wetsuits have a lot of other benefits, such as the wetsuit can stop the wearer from getting sunburnt and windburn. The reflection from the sun and water make this even more severe for water sports, a wetsuit helps protect your skin.

On warm days, (not extreme heat) a wetsuit can help keep you cooler as the water will evaporate from the material and cool you down in exactly the same way as it does evaporating from wet skin.

Surfing wetsuits are also great against some marine life dangers, like jellyfish stings. The wetsuit also helps against minor shell, coral and sand scratches and scrapes, which can easily get infected.

While wetsuits are not indestructible, they can also offer protection from clashes with other surfers, swimmers and body boarders. The neoprene cushions some of the impact and helps when you get slammed with big waves.

Surfing wetsuits also provide a certain amount of buoyancy, which is potentially a lifesaver for poor swimmers, or when you get trapped in big surf. While they are not a lifejacket, they give you more chance of staying afloat a little easier.

With full length wetsuits, jackets, childrens wetsuits, vests, shorty wetsuits and the wide range of brands, styles and colours there is sure to be a wetsuit for your surfing needs.