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If everywhere had the temperatures of a tropical island no one would need wetsuits! Most of us don’t live in tropical climates so if you want to be in the water in the colder weather you will need a wetsuit to keep warm. Wetsuits provide ’summer on the inside’ and are warm and flexible. A thin layer of water, hence the name ‘wetsuit’ is allowed to enter the suit between the material of the suit and your skin. Warmed by the body the layer of water acts to insulate you from the cold water. Unless you perform duck dives or similar when the water is flushed out and replaced the water will stay in the suit keeping you warm.
Wetsuits then allow you stay comfortable and warm in cold water for long periods. In very cold water a wetsuit is essential and you can stay in the water without risking hypothermia. So if you plan to spend long periods in cold water you definitely need a wetsuit!
A wetsuit should fit snugly but not be too tight or too loose. A too loose suit will allow too much water in and won’t provide any insulation as your nbody will struggle to warm up all the water in the suit. If it’s too tight you won’t be able to move properly so surfing will not be any fun! Check that there are no rough patches which could cause rashes. A minor irritation can quickly become a real pain when repetitive movements cause the patch to rub against your skin a few hundred times.
It is expensive to buy a wetsuit so if you don’t want the expense of replacing it too soon is essential that you look after it.
Once you’ve finished surfing or diving and peeled off your suit it needs a good rinse in fresh water to remove the saltwater that can damage the neoprene as well as making a bad smell in the suit! Don’t peel it off and dump it in the trunk. Once rinsed hang it up using a plastic hanger and let it dry. Don’t use a wire hanger which can cause damage and choose a hanger that is as wide as possible. The shower or outside are good places to let it dry as you’ll need something to catch the drips in anywhere else. Just make sure if you hang it outside it’s not in a place that will be vulnerable to thieves. You can dry the suit with the inside out so that the inside is dry if you are going to use the suit soon.
You can also put it in the washing machine on a rinse cycle on a hand wash setting. Shake out any sand first so you don’t clog up the plumbing and do not use any soap. Or rinse out in the shower and hang up to dry.
To store your suit for longer periods when you are not using it don’t leave it folded up as this will result in creases. Use two or three wide plastic hangers to distribute the weight on the neoprene especially around the shoulders and hang up.
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