Cold water newbie seeks advice

by **Surfer Joe** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:07 pm

Hi,
I am a longtime surfer from Florida who has relocated to the UK and would like to surf a bit here, but the water is way too cold for me and I would need a wet suit even in the summer.
What sort of suit properties should I be looking for if I want to feel comfortable sitting on a board in the suit, keep warm, and have something durable that will last for several years?
Thanks for any advice.

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by **FLino** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:15 pm

Hello

I believe that the minimum is a 4/3 mm. And if you really feel cold, maybe an H-bomb from Rip Curl.

But i'm not from England so better wait for other answers.

by **drowningbitbybit** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:58 pm

3/2mm steamer for summer (or a 2mm springsuit for about one week in august, maybe).

5mm steamer for winter, plus boots and gloves, and even a hood if you can put up with them.

by **surf patrol** » Tue May 01, 2012 8:27 am

Yep, 3/2 summer, 5/3 for winter. Any mainstream surf brand, well fitting wetsuit will do the job. Boots, gloves and hood in winter for sure.

by **wide-mouth-mike** » Thu May 03, 2012 9:56 pm

You can get away with board shorts and a thermal rash vest in late august early september... water up round 16-17c.
So not all bad..
Winter is bloody cold mine ,,, down to 8c this feb just gone..

by **tony g** » Fri May 04, 2012 3:42 am

What sort of suit properties should I be looking for if I want to feel comfortable sitting on a board in the suit, keep warm, and have something durable that will last for several years

The new super stretch material is super nice in the higher end wetsuits. You can move with little restriction. They do however cost more, but you get what you pay for. I would sldo be looking for glued blindstiched, and taped seams for your winter wetsuit. I wear the Xcel Infiniti X-Zip 2 5/4/3 hooded wetsuit an it works really well. There are also a lot of other good brands and models out there!

by **Surfer Joe** » Sat May 05, 2012 8:23 am

Thanks everyone.
I've been looking at some that are a single zip across the upper chest and run around £200.
At the moment, I am only considering summer only as even 17 degree water is still half of what I am used to in Florida.

Cold water newbie seeks advice

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