Say you're stuck with a dilemma. Your wetsuit is falling to pieces - the zip is held in place by a sowed on button, the sleeves are frayed and every time you put it on, you worry about the chance it falls apart. Yet it fits you comfortably and a rashie underneath keeps the cold away unless you go for longer sesh (in that case you are stuffed with your toes going numb and blokes have a laugh at your shivering that resembles an over grown bobble head sitting on the dashboard ).

BUT

A wetsuit is a wetsuit and it doesn't take the place of a new board to the quiver. The reasoning being, there's always space for another board; be it a single fin, retro, longboard, alaia, basically a new board to take out! Even better, you can still take the board out when summer approaches whereas the wetsuit would be stored away til winter.

So whats your reasoning? The board or the wetsuit? Which would you choose?

Wetsuit for me.

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doggie said...

Wetsuit for me.

ahhh but another few months and it will be boardshorts and christmas bargains mate!

New wettie online from OS and a good condition second hand board..
Done..

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newguy said...

doggie said...

Wetsuit for me.

ahhh but another few months and it will be boardshorts and christmas bargains mate!

Cant surf in winter without one no matter how many boards you have, suba is the exception to that rule tho

I bought my Dawn Patrol wettie for only about $160 from a local shop. If you shop around there are some great bargains to be had

Wettie for me as its too cold to surf with out it, I'd even add booties after the cold this year as well

Thankfully mine is smelling much better.

Wetsuit for me. Actually, a good new wetsuit is more like a drysuit, but that is in fact my point. Instead of feeling cold water seeping in through the seams and cracks, I now stay essentially dry (and warm).

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Cant surf in winter without one no matter how many boards you have, suba is the exception to that rule tho

Haha I've used a wettie once (borrowed) since December last year. I wont pretend that it's not cold and miserable sometimes...I just can't bring myself to go buy a new wetsuit. The student and Jew in me just doesn't want to part with my money until it gets too unbearable. Besides I just don't find wet suits comfortable and they feel too restrictive, granted I have not tried a chest zip yet.

Oddly enough I wont hesitate to buy a new board when I spot one I fancy.

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doggie said...

newguy said...

doggie said...

Wetsuit for me.

ahhh but another few months and it will be boardshorts and christmas bargains mate!

Cant surf in winter without one no matter how many boards you have, suba is the exception to that rule tho

+1 Get a good wetty - then get your 5th or 6th board for your quiver.

It sounds like you NEED a wetsuit not a board.

If you're in the market check these lads. Local over here and I can vouch for them. No affiliations just that I have bought my last 2 wetties from them and very cheap all things considered.

http://www.dextersurf.com.au/

rip curl hoods are only about $30

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SP said...

New wettie online from OS and a good condition second hand board..
Done..

+ 1 a good one will last ya 3 to 4 yrs if you look after it. Make sure its a chest zip and go for a size to small - it will stretch. If you can fit a large in the shop dry get yourself a medium. Nightmare for the first 5 or 10 efforts at getting it on but after that it will be a joy. Get the right size and it will stretch and annoy the hell out of ya for the next 3 years as it fills up with water.

Newguy always best to buy out of season,buy you board now (winter) and your new wettie during summer,bargains to be had.

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62mac said...

Newguy always best to buy out of season,buy you board now (winter) and your new wettie during summer,bargains to be had.

Yep spot on.
Only another month of winter. Toughen up. A new board always make you feel warm inside anyway

Just got a Mad Dog vest of these guys, Super fast postage $29 bargain


wetsuitwarehouse.com.au/

id definatley go a new wettie probably a chest zip oneil or excell

I have never had to get out of the water because I am too warm. Says it all really

NEW BOARD !! when ur getting barreled on a new board the last thing on ur mind will be the cold !!

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AndyEliotH said...

NEW BOARD !! when ur getting barreled on a new board the last thing on ur mind will be the cold !!

Haha, the paddle back out and the wait might be cold but you will definitely be alright while you're shacked.

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Woodo said...

62mac said...

Newguy always best to buy out of season,buy you board now (winter) and your new wettie during summer,bargains to be had.

Yep spot on.
Only another month of winter. Toughen up. A new board always make you feel warm inside anyway

yep winter is almost gone. get a board then get yourself a super cheap deal for next season..

The wetsuit or a sup (your not in the water as much)

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micksmith said...

The wetsuit or a sup (your not in the water as much)

Doggy what time do you start work?

probewetsuits.com.au best wetty I've owned and only $270 delivered for a 4/3

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micksmith said...

Doggie what time do you start work?

7:15am

still undecided haha. I mean a new wetsuit would of been a god send this morning but I just simply chucked a wetsuit top underneath the wetty and I was good to go Then again...

i'd get what ever is going to let you surf longer. If the stoke of a new board is enough to see out the remaining cold months then get that but if a new wettie will keep you in the water for 1 hour extra a session, add those up thats a lot of house.

Its summer over here and i keep buying new wetties for summer here, it's also nice never to have to put a wet wetsuit on either

Cheers everyone, the wetsuit brigade made the best arguement I think and coupled with the cold (from surfing), bit the bullet. Picked up a half priced O'neil. So this is what it feels to not have water seeping in and a suit to match the price tag! Question regarding looking after your wetsuit now though:

-is it bad to piss in it? (Lets face it, 90% of us do and the other 10 are lying) I read somewhere the acid is bad for the neoprene

- is leaving it in the car damp and in a bucket really that bad? (Besides the hot weather, I've read something to do with the seems etc being stretched or damaged).

Have been really looking after this wetsuit, a rinse after and letting it hang in the shade has been the protocol. Cost me an arm and a leg! So hoping it will last a couple seasons

I just rinse mine when i get to work and hang out in the sun. Once dry turn it inside out and hang till completly dry. Then back in car. Onto my second season no issue.

Rod

Depending on the inner lining peeing might not be great. Mine has a carpety inside, and I recon if I pee in it, it would stink