Getting out of wetsuits!

[AJ_surfer]

Hi,
I find that for me, the hardest part of surfing is getting out of my wet-suit and boots!!! Its a bit of a wierd question but if anyone has any tips on getting out more efficiently then I would be very gratefull!!!!!!
THANKS!
AJ_surfer.

[saffasurfer7]

Yeah, it's always a struggle but I find it's all in the thumbs. If you dig your thumbs into the back of your boots and wiggle your feet up, once your heel is out then it's easy. Your suit is similar, just get it down to your ankles then dig your thumbs around your ankles and push the suit down off your feet and it shouldn't take too much effort, it generally lands up being inside out as well but I wouldn't worry bout that, just sort it out when you get home. Dunno if that helps but it's also easier with practice I reckon.

[AJ_surfer]

Thanx mate!!!!

[libby]

Yep saffa's right, there really is no stylish way of getting out of your wetsuit, you probs gonna look pretty stupid however you do it, quite possibly fall over, and maybe even ping your boot off into someother surfers face Dont even try gettin the rest of your suit off untiil youve got the gloves off though (presuming you wearing some) its damn near impossible. Even the pros look daft trying to get out of wetties. A nice reminder that they're only human....

[deathfrog]

Wear it home, get out in the shower.

its warm, easier, warmer, no one sees you if you fall, warmer than the parking lot, and warm.

[AJ_surfer]

Yeh I would but I have to travel 60 miles (minimum) to get back to were I live.
But thanks anyway.

[fizzgig]

muuuuch easier if, once booties and gloves are removed just kinda grab a hold of the cuffs and basically, turn your suit inside out!(just roll it down your legs too again achieving the inside out look) if you get my meaning. not very pretty to look at but saves a lot of time when people are trying to watch you drag your body out of a rubber suit with hidden vacuums all over!...thats just my experience....

[meister]

Wear it home, get out in the shower.

its warm, easier, warmer, no one sees you if you fall, warmer than the parking lot, and warm.

haha so it's warmer?

[deathfrog]

Yea just a tad though.

[AJ_surfer]

[gulfsurfer]

i dont know the easiest way to get out of a wet suit, but when im getting in to mine, i put plastic bags on my feet, to make them slide right in. works great. i'm sure roy has some great tips for people with pink wetsuits.

[Brent]

Not to mention style tips for those contemplating Gaff Hats. Woah!!!

[sinistapenguin]

Ok here's my technique which has been specifically developed for getting out of a suit as quickly as possible in the cold wet car parks of the UK's west coast.

BOOTS:

Fold the top half of the boot down over your ankle. Put your index and middle fingers down the back, one either side of the achilles tendon. Prise the boot so that the heel is freed. If your boots are tight like mine, then they will still be stuck on tight!!, wiggle your toes to get a bit of breathing room at the end. Put your other heel on the toe of your boot and stand your weight on it, you can now pull your foot free.

THE TOP HALF:

If it's really cold, put your hands in your boots to warm the fingers up a bit!! Now, the next bit has to happen quickly. Unzip the suit and pull it over your shoulders, quickly pull it down the arms - doesn't matter if they go inside out, it's all about speed. As soon as your hands are out, get your rash vest off and put on your nice warm hoody!!

THE BOTTOM HALF:

This is where the technique splits in two. If you are not going to wear the suit again and will get the chance to rinse it out before your next session, try this; Literally peel the suit down your body like a banana skin so that it is inside out. Get it down to your knees as quickly as you can, then stand on it with one foot, pulling your other leg up, move the securing foot up and pull again. Repeat until your leg's out or nearly out - then use the same 'two finger technique' as the boots to get your feet out.

If however you need to wear the suit again then you should do the above on either some grass, or if you get desperate your board bag!! I haven't found an effective way of getting a suit off and keeping it completely clean.

Using this technique I can get my suit off and be dressed inside of 4 minutes, which is pretty quick!!

Rip Curl make some cool wetsuit bags. They are big circles of waterproof material which you stand on to take your suit off, then you step off and pull a drawstring which folds the 'bag' up around your suit and away you go!!

Hope this helps

Sinista

[AJ_surfer]

Cool thanks! I'll give it a go next time I go surfing!!
AJ_surfer