What's the most important piece of equipment in surfing? The wetsuit. Like any other piece of clothing, finding a good fit for your body is essential to having an enjoyable experience. There are many different options for choosing a wetsuit, so this article will provide you with six tips on how you can find the right one for your needs and budget!
1. Know Your Body Shape
Knowing your body shape is probably an essential step when choosing a wetsuit. You should know if you have an athletic, slender, or larger-than-average build. Each type of body has specific needs and should be considered when looking for the right wetsuit. If you are on the heavy side, finding a wetsuit with flexibility in the stomach area will allow you to paddle comfortably. If you are an athlete, having a wetsuit with compression panels on the chest and arms will help support your muscles when paddling for waves or swimming in surf ski competitions.
2. Consider Buoyancy Rating
Not only do you have to find a wetsuit that fits your body shape, but you also have to choose the best buoyancy rating for your surfing ability. If you are an intermediate surfer or above, having a 4/3mm wetsuit is ideal. Wetsuits with this thickness provide warmth and protection from rashes and cuts. If you are a beginner or an occasional surfer, 3/2mm is the way to go. A 3mm suit provides warmth and flexibility for those who need it most.
3. Get the Right Length
When it comes to finding the right wetsuit length, there are two things you should think about: your height and how deep you like to paddle out. If you are short and usually stay in the lineup, a short wetsuit is what's best for your body type and ability level. Typically, these types of suits have less insulation, so they don't get weighed down by the water when you're paddling outside of the break. A taller surfer with a lower body fat percentage should get a suit that extends to mid-thigh and has extra insulation for warmth.
4. Get the Right Fit
A wetsuit that fits properly will provide the best support possible, so it's important to find one that was specifically made for your body type. If you are an athlete, having a suit with compression panels on the chest and arms allows them to function like a second skin, thus increasing your strength while paddling. This also helps protect your muscles from fatigue after surfing all morning. If you are on the larger side, having a little extra room in your wetsuit will make paddling easier and give you more flexibility when catching waves.
5. Think about How Warm You Like It
Wetsuits can come with either 2 or 3mm of insulation. Having 3mm is ideal for colder climates, while 2mm works perfectly in tropical areas. The bigger the waves, the warmer you will need your wetsuit to be. A little extra insulation goes a long way when surfing in colder climates like Europe or Hawaii, but too much warmth may make you overheat after paddling for an hour straight. So before buying that new 4/3mm winter suit, think about how cold it gets where you live and what water conditions you will be surfing in most.
6. Buy the Right Features
Whether it's getting a new GoPro mount or having your favorite color accent, wetsuits can have many different features designed for the surfer's preference. If you're not concerned about style, having a wetsuit with multiple pockets is perfect for carrying your surf wax, leash, and other necessities. If you're using your wetsuit in colder waters, having a warmer neck gasket will help keep the heat and water out.
Finding the right wetsuit takes time, but knowing what to look for should make it a little easier. Remember these 6 points when buying your next wetsuit, and you should be surfing in your new gear in no time!
