Noticed on Coastalwatch that the water temp is 20c for Margarets. It also says 20c for Perth, but I'm fine wearing a rashie at the moment. Wouldn't even think about wearing a rashie down south - more like a 2mm long sleeve top and boardies minimum. Am susceptible to cold temps so am wondering whether it's good to go prepared with 2mm top/boardies and have a 3x2 steamer just in case, or is it currently warm enough to easily rely on the lighter option?

IMO
Too hot in a steamer
Boardies and a 2mm vest if the wind isn't too strong
2mm short sleeve steamer is perfect.

Backed up my thoughts, thanks.

Issue is that the only thing I have in between a full steamer and a 1mm short sleeve top is the 2mm long sleeve. Don't want to be under prepared but also wanting to take as little as possible. #firstworldproblems

Springsuit short leg short sleeve should cover it....shouldn't it?

Do springsuits still exist? hardly see them in the water now days. I haven't owned one for a decade or more!

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MickCam said...
Do springsuits still exist? hardly see them in the water now days. I haven't owned one for a decade or more!

Spring suit is all I have been wearing for a few months - so 80s I know.

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sparki said..
Noticed on Coastalwatch that the water temp is 20c for Margarets. It also says 20c for Perth, but I'm fine wearing a rashie at the moment. Wouldn't even think about wearing a rashie down south - more like a 2mm long sleeve top and boardies minimum. Am susceptible to cold temps so am wondering whether it's good to go prepared with 2mm top/boardies and have a 3x2 steamer just in case, or is it currently warm enough to easily rely on the lighter option?

Anyone wearing a steamer when its 20C needs a serious beat down

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Tux said..


Anyone wearing a steamer when its 20C needs a serious beat down

Marquess of Queensberry rules Tux?

Was 22 according to the wave buoy yesterday around here and don't get me wrong, i love wearing boardshorts but hate being cold even more ,never used to worry me, springsuit all through winter in my 20's ,although if we get a NE seabreeze for a few days in summer, due to the proximity of the continental shelf and a bit of ekkman transport effect the water temp plummets ,had a boxing day surf a few years ago with land temp well above 35C and water at 14C
I occasionally still wear mine as...

1..I have lost quite a few kgs and have very little body fat and appear to feel/get colder much quicker than i used to especially with some wind and as soon as i get cold, i get inflexible ..and i get smashed on takeoffs
2 I find maybe my circulation to my extremities is not as good as it used to be
3 I paddle across a river entrance quite regularly and the water from the river on big runout is sometimes 5-6 cooler than the ocean around it or if i surf a boat only spot close by it is cold on the way back in, in the boat
4 It affords me a modicum of sun protection for my back and legs etc
5 I am adverse to wax balls in my chest hair
6 I am definitely a warm water, banana dacquiris, hula skirts and coconut bikinis type!
7 I hate ball slap up the leg of my boardies
8 It is a fair bit easier to come in and change to boardies than to change up to wetsuit already wet if i get too hot
9 I not dumb enough(or tough enough) to live in Vic
10 I am in general .... as soft as an ice cream in a sauna

16 oz gloves will be fine !

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Prawnhead said..

Tux said..

sparki said..
Noticed on Coastalwatch that the water temp is 20c for Margarets. It also says 20c for Perth, but I'm fine wearing a rashie at the moment. Wouldn't even think about wearing a rashie down south - more like a 2mm long sleeve top and boardies minimum. Am susceptible to cold temps so am wondering whether it's good to go prepared with 2mm top/boardies and have a 3x2 steamer just in case, or is it currently warm enough to easily rely on the lighter option?

Anyone wearing a steamer when its 20C needs a serious beat down

Marquess of Queensberry rules Tux?

Only if your allowed to select your own handbag

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Tux said..

Prawnhead said..

Tux said..

sparki said..
Noticed on Coastalwatch that the water temp is 20c for Margarets. It also says 20c for Perth, but I'm fine wearing a rashie at the moment. Wouldn't even think about wearing a rashie down south - more like a 2mm long sleeve top and boardies minimum. Am susceptible to cold temps so am wondering whether it's good to go prepared with 2mm top/boardies and have a 3x2 steamer just in case, or is it currently warm enough to easily rely on the lighter option?

Anyone wearing a steamer when its 20C needs a serious beat down

Marquess of Queensberry rules Tux?

Only if your allowed to select your own handbag

I don't use my Versace on just any old mexican!

16-20C Shorts or a springy if your surfing early Dec/Jan/Feb
14-16C Springy in the day 3x2 steamer in the mornings Mar/Apr/May/Oct/Nov
12-14C 4x3 steamer hopefully two if your going to surf in the morning and arvo May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sept


I know I lited May twice but sometimes may is cold as **** other times its OK...generally its cold though

Turns out didn't need steamer. Had it anyway. 2mm long sleeve top and boardies easily did the trick! Not sure if some of you guys like doing the 'macho' thing, but I would never use less than a full 3x2 steamer for anything sub 20. I used to do triathlons and they'd allow wetsuits for temps under 21 or so, so I figure my logic is sound.

I keep a couple of old steamers for just this occasion,... The dash south for a wave of substance, and therefore in the water longer. The old steamer has a couple of post-production inlets that keeps the water moving in and out so I don't hyper heat, but also stay out until fatigue kicks in rather than hypothermia. Yep I look like a cheap bast*rd but I'm comfortable.