hoods

[saffasurfer7]

I had to buy a hood today for the first time. Started surfing in February so haven't surfed a winter yet. Must say I'm not a fan of the hood but sure if I had to do it without I would grow to love the thing really. I was told when I bought it and it seems logical to tuck the bottom bit into your wetsuit. I've just read this on a website though:

Tip: don't tuck the lower edge of the hood inside your wetsuit. This will stop a cold flush of water if you get hit "face on" with a wave.

What do people think and generally do?

Don't you find hoods practically suffocate you when you get taken under? Maybe it's just a case of gettin used to it.

[Brent]

You may get an occasional flush with cold water face on. But, if you don't tuck the hood in you'll have a CONTINUAL flush of cold water around your neck with the loose hood flapping around. Besides, you'll look like a complete plonker.
It appears logical to tuck the thing in methinks...

[surf patrol]

I'd have to disagree Brent, I think that it's best to leave the hood untucked. When duckdiving the water does get inside the hood and if it is tucked in it will go straight into the wetsuit. Continual flushing of water is not good especially for a North Sea winter (I've surfed quite a few winters there)
The biggest problem I have found with cold water is the icecream headaches when duckdiving and wether the hood is in or out it takes the edge of the temperature.

[Brent]

Uh, ok. That makes sense also. I thought good hoods had a draw-string around the face bit to get a real seal thing happening...
Mind you I don't need one where & have used one rarely. I'm not really qualified to comment..

[surf patrol]

I guess that the best thing to do is get a wettie that comes with a hood attached - no room for error there!

[saffasurfer7]

thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, I had thought about a hood attached suit but the amount of times I get a chance to surf in the winter compared to how often i get to surf in summer isn't really worth having the hood on cos I know it'll get on my nerves in summer when I'll be in the water the most.

I'll just try out both options maybe and see which I prefer.

[Nicola]

I recently bought a ballaclava type hood to stop brain freeze but the thing nearly drowned me fist day out! It filled up with water and didn't seem to want to empty out, so I think I'll suffer on without it! Or just look around for another type.

[ashley]

hey saff just wondering what did ya decide on?

[southcoaster]

i dont tuck mine in, i just havent thought much about it, went in last january without my hood and the water like frooze my head, now im to scared to take it off, i even use it through summer..........

[saffasurfer7]

hey ashley,
i tend to wear it untucked now, it's easier and it untucks it self half the time anyway. I'm actually gonna attempt my first winter surf without one on hopefully saturday cos i can't bear to wear it. Gonna see how it goes and if I survive I won't bother with it...

As for you southcoaster, u really don't need it in the summer surely. That's really sad... Unless you're surfing the antarctic. You should try it without in the summer, it's soooooo much better and easier to surf without.

[southcoaster]

no i dont really wear it in the summer! i dont get a chance its always flat! na the only bits that get cold on me in the winter is my hands and feet, my wetsuit is so friggin warm im near to sweating!!