Choosing the Right Wetsuit and How to Go about it

If you happen to be an avid fan of surfing and planning to try surfing, then you need to make sure that you are all geared up to do. And that includes a surfing board, a swimsuit and above all, the right gear, which includes safety goggles and a mask to go with it. Surfing is fun, it can however turn into a downright chilling experience especially if you do not end up purchasing the right swimsuit.

Moreover, you may want to check up on the average median temperature of the local waters, just to make sure that you purchase the right one to help you cope with the frigid waters. Keep in mind that surfing, though fun, can expose you to various elements, and you need one that can keep you safe, while you have your fun. And that’s why you need to check out the rest of the post,

What makes a wetsuit special?

Fair enough, a wetsuit is often made of neoprene and then there are those, that provide you one at an extremely discounted rate but the neoprene would be replaced with common synthetic rubber. That’s why when it comes to purchasing Billabong wetsuits or any other brand, the one thing that you need to check out first, is to determine if they are indeed made of neoprene. But why neoprene? What makes it special? Here’s why – all neoprene suits are made to a certain thickness, and at the same time, they are designed to encapsulate your body with a slim layer of water.

The result is that these suits keep you well insulated from all the elements of the sea and more importantly, the thin layer of water between the suit and your body, actually warms up and acts as an insulating layer. For example, if you are planning to go deep-sea diving, you would need a top-quality neoprene wetsuit to provide you with adequate protection.

Neoprene thickness

When it comes to selecting a wetsuit, you first need to determine what you need it for. Is it merely for surfing or paddling or do you intend to do some diving as well? You would require neoprene wetsuits with different thicknesses and for deep diving, you would need a full body suit as opposed to one that covers up to your biceps. Check out the wetsuits in the shop, if you see suits with a single number, such as 2mm, that essentially means that one neoprene thickness is used for the suit. If you see two numbers, such as 4/3, it indicates that the suit has two thicknesses of neoprene and it should be able to provide you with better protection for advanced diving. Keep in mind that the thicker part goes around the trunk of your body whereas the thin part goes around your arm and legs.

Paddling wetsuits

If you are on the lookout for suits specially designed for paddling or surfing, then you need not worry. What you need are some shorties, as these are neoprene suits that are cut off at the arms and the knees. But do note, each company may have its unique design where shorties are concerned. They are perfect for most leisure activities on the water, be it surfing or paddling and even taking part in kayaking.  

Hooded full suits

As mentioned earlier, these are primarily designed for deep-sea diving, where the temperatures can get close to the freezing point. And that’s all the more reason that you would need a thick, well-insulated suit on, to help retain your body warmth even at great depths. The next time you watch a deep-sea diving expedition on National Geographic, take a closer look at their neoprene suits. You should be able to see it in action, which should clue you in as to what you need to purchase.

These tips should help you go about purchasing the perfect wetsuit, with the right thickness, as well as other accessories.