Anyone who has more than just an interest in surfing our often less than warm British waters, will be wanting to get wet all year round. This of course requires a wetsuit, and a warm one at that. The other option for your winter water sports is a call to 999 and attempted resuscitation when you eventually wash up on the shore. I know which one I prefer. So before you leave a mobile on the beach for the poor dog walker who finds you, can I suggest a look at the first option?
Many who are new to the sport of surfing will look at the price tag of a winter suit and be put straight off. Several hundred pounds is not unusual. Some will even be misguided enough to opt for a cheaper summer suit. (See you in hell guys!!) When I brought a new suit ready for this winter,
my budget wasn’t that high. £100 was my limit and my bank manager or girlfriend wasn’t going to let me spend more.
So I hit the shops credit card at the ready. Let battle commence. I tried on a few of the higher priced suits. (Trying on a couple of suits at least is vital before you even think of buying, as your purchase has to be a good fit. You could spend £500 on the best suit in the shop, but if it leaves room for half of the Atlantic to swill around in side it, you’ll be on sale in Iceland next to the fish fingers very quickly.) I don’t buy, but I now have an idea of the size I need.
The next step is to see what the other shops are offering and for what price. It’s not uncommon to find the same suit with a vastly different price tag somewhere else. I could now give you a shop-by-shop account of my trip, but I won’t. I will suggest anyone shopping on a budget in Newquay tries the Long Board Shop (It’s near Somerfield) for second hand suits. I looked at a brand new custom-made Snugg for £80. (The guy who ordered it never picked it up). If it had fitted I’d have been about £150 up on the asking price. It didn’t.
I eventually tried on a couple of Alder suits that were the only ones that came near my price barrier, about £125 seemed average. Nothing fitted so ever onwards. I reach the last shop in town and there it is. An Alder winter suit for £99, and it fits. Mission accomplished. I now have a suit that will keep me warm from October until June. (You’ll find a winter suit suffocating in summer)
So what had I got – A brand new 5 by 3mm titanium wetsuit. (5mm thickness for the body and 3mm for the arms and legs). It has a little place for your car keys, strong stitching in all the right places plus the all important rubber windshield on the chest.
The question now being do you get what you pay for? My answer: If you can find a similar deal you might get a little more. The suit itself does the job of keeping you warm just fine. The downside being that you don’t get much elasticity from the arms for this price, meaning you tire more quickly and have less movement. But beggars can’t be choosers. What I’ve found this means in the water is that you get less speed from your paddle and subsequently are slower onto the wave. (Nothing a few gym sessions can’t at least help with). I also use the suit for Wakeboarding (a bit like water-skiing except with a snow board) and the pull of the cable is amplified by the pull of the suit. In simple terms this means it’s more uncomfortable and much harder work.
So conclusion time. For someone wanting to try the pleasures of the mammoth waves to be found during winter (and the empty beaches), but does not have much money, buy an Alder. When you get better or richer you can trade it in and upgrade. Tips on buying. Don’t pay more than £120 for it. Don’t buy any suit unless you’re sure it fits (take someone who knows along if you’re not sure). Ask the shop to throw in a free sticker. SHOP AROUND and get some gloves and boots as well when you buy (just cause your body warm, doesn’t mean you feet will be!!).
PS not quite sure how the 'How does it compare to similar products?' question below means anything for wetsuits!!
PPS
Just updateding this and would like to let you know that there are some real bargins on winter suits at the mo (May) as the winter season has almost drawn to an end, so get shopping for next year - bye :)
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Good op - and useful to understand that the suit gets too hot for summer.
I only bodyboard occasionally and have a full summer suit - I went down to Cornwall at Easter and decided to brave it in the sunshine. I do have good thick some feet and gloves though.
I was pleasantly surprised that even a 3/2 summer wetsuit seemed to keep me plenty warm enough for upwards of an hour at a time. I could tell the water was cold - but keeping moving seemed to offset this fine.
So for those who will risk / tolerate shorter sessions out of the coldest winter days - a full summer suit might do for more of their surfing year...?
BJEEE 10.05.2001 22:32
I might just have to check a few of those sales that are on at the mo. I like Alder stuff and have got an amazing rash vest of theirs, and some socks too, but I've had enough really of wearing a shorty under my full suit (only 3-2) when the waters cold. Another good op here!! Ben
holland 14.04.2001 00:36
Ummm cheers guys. Perhaps I could fly to Florida with my £1 change? and train to scuba dive as I get the impression I’m still a few mms short for diving at this time of year in the UK (But diving is something I’m hoping to start in September, see ya at the bottom Sarah?) :)
Apr 14th, 2001
(May 10th, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
