Okay so i'm curious on what everyone else does.

I surf in a steamer in winter and boardies in summer, maybe a wetsuit rashie but its this time of year that i always struggle with, which one to use?

Early mornings is easy steamer but by 8.30 I'm sweating

So the obvious choice is a short arms and legs but that's just one more bit of kit. Is that the choice of most and if so any tips

It might be stupid question but what the hell, its quiet in hear. Ive never used a spring suit ever

I use a westsuit 1mm wetsuit long sleeve top and wetsuit shorts, ok up until it gets too cold then straight into wetsuit which is only 2-3 months a year for metro use) the 1mm top gets used thru out summer the year for kiting, supping, bodysurfing and ski paddling but its bit hot for that. Only use the steamer for prone surfing

Perths water temp only drops to 17-18 deg in winter its more the wind chill than water temp that gets me cold.

As everyone seams to know by now, I don't like wetsuits. I did have a full length 3x2 up until December 2011 which finally blew out. I went a year without replacing it and happily surfed in boardies all year.

But the time finally came at the end of last year where I had to get another one.

Just got a 2mm, long legged, short sleeved chest zip wettie from Billabong and have no regrets and plan on using it throughout the winter. As much as I miss having the sun on my bare back it's nice to have skin on my chest and to not be shivering after 4 hours in the water.

Short jon with a 1mm wettie top underneath.

Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

4 hours on a stormy day in midwinter in boardies? Yeah.

The theory goes at this time of year the water's still warm but the air gets cold, so you go short legs, long arms. In spring it's the opposite - as the air warms up but the water's still cold you wear short arms, long legs. If you can't afford these two alternatives you can make them from old steamers.

I wear a springy through summer because I have hair on my chest and stomach and it's incompatible with wax. Also boardies mean I wax my inner thighs. I've got hair on my legs too so while I do wear boardies (with a rash vest) occasionally, it can cause rash and ripped hairs. Depends on the day, but I usually surf in inclement weather so a springy's alright even on the hottest days.

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Legion said...
Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

4 hours on a stormy day in midwinter in boardies? Yeah.

The theory goes at this time of year the water's still warm but the air gets cold, so you go short legs, long arms. In spring it's the opposite - as the air warms up but the water's still cold you wear short arms, long legs. If you can't afford these two alternatives you can make them from old steamers.

I wear a springy through summer because I have hair on my chest and stomach and it's incompatible with wax. Also boardies mean I wax my inner thighs. I've got hair on my legs too so while I do wear boardies (with a rash vest) occasionally, it can cause rash and ripped hairs. Depends on the day, but I usually surf in inclement weather so a springy's alright even on the hottest days.

Yep Im the same (hairy ) its like a burber plush pile and surfing with no rashie on can feel weired

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Legion said...
Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

Just look for the best surfer out there. Simply enough

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subasurf said...

Legion said...
Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

Just look for the best surfer out there. Simply enough

What like the one doing face plants into the sand, like in your last video

I know who the best surfers are out at "your local". Several of them were out at another local spot on Tuesday afternoon, although quite a few of the winter crew from "your local" weren't. I wonder which one of the best surfers is you ... you're not MDC, and he's pretty regularly the best out. There are a couple of other guys you're also not. Not going to name names, but they dominate (mainly because they surf there every day due to work circumstances).

It was a joke.
Relax.

I'm just curious, since you first mentioned the non-wetsuit thing I always look out for suba but there aren't many people without wetsuits except backpackers.

I know who most of the local crew are, around your age. I just don't know who suba is.

People recognise me in the water somehow. Sometimes they even say g'day, eh doggie. newguy said he saw me once. I know who a few internet people are, see them sometimes.

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Legion said...
I'm just curious, since you first mentioned the non-wetsuit thing I always look out for suba but there aren't many people without wetsuits except backpackers.

I know who most of the local crew are, around your age. I just don't know who suba is.

People recognise me in the water somehow. Sometimes they even say g'day, eh doggie. newguy said he saw me once. I know who a few Internet people are, see them sometimes.

I would ask people if they were online once but don't bother anymore..

There are simply so many surfers and id say less than 1% would have ever heard off, or bothered with these forums. That's why i laugh at the secret spot idea.

I guess it would be nice to meet a few guys, for the sake of putting faces to names really only.

Obviously a few crew know each other but beyond that you could be surfing next to a guy who you chat with on line an hour later

I'll see u at the footy jb

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jbshack said...
There are simply so many surfers and id say less than 1% would have ever heard off, or bothered with these forums. That's why i laugh at the secret spot idea.

Yeah, I know there are a few of you that just love to post names, but it's well and truly an issue. A very simple example is that guy who posted a picture of everyone's favourite beach a few weeks back saying how he scored. Next day, same conditions, someone else posted a picture, same spot, same time, crowded.

Same deal with other spots. Just because only 10 people post on here doesn't mean that only 10 people look here. I know of a whole bunch of people who are aware of this forum who've never posted here and probably never will. But they come and read occasionally.

It's way less fun with 30+ out than 5+ out. 1% of 1000 silent readers is 10 extra people.

Rod, just do like you do in winter.

Stick with the boardies and rashie but if you get cold just urinate all over yourself.

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Mark _australia said...
Rod, just do like you do in winter.

Stick with the boardies and rashie but if you get cold just urinate all over yourself.

Is that what windsurfers do?

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Mark _australia said...
Rod, just do like you do in winter.

Stick with the boardies and rashie but if you get cold just urinate all over yourself.

I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

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Kneeling said...
I'll see u at the footy jb

At the footy, sorry i have no idea about cryptic

Does you son play footy up my way?

try one of the original Oneill Short Johns... the top half is all rubber neo so it kills a lot of wind chill and its all GBS so its a bit warmer than some others. i got one last year and i love it. its nice not to have rubber over your arms when your paddling...

there is a pic of one...

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otherwise anything which is a rubber only top half makes the windchill a lot better.

I use a short john with one of the rashies with the silver lining inside, think the one Ive got was called a radiator.

Plenty of freedom for the arms and shoulders but enough to keep the cold out till mid winter when the steamer comes out.

You will have less people dropping in on you if you get yourself something like this !

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riverider said...
You will have less people dropping in on you if you get yourself something like this !

At least we can put a name to a face now, eh riverider?

Smicko may have put this on this morning
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr stiff easterly

Or you can do what Bear does with his 3mm Oneill Seal Cub vest

After nearly getting stuck in my wetsuit this morning ( farking shoulder) i want to get a springy today, or tomorrow if i have too

Xcel Infinity comp x-zip 2 mm for $185 on line..The only other suit found was Ripcurl Ebomb pro for $300..

The shops I've checked with have sent most of the stock back

Any last minute suggestions..

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theWaterBoy said..

Or you can do what Bear does with his 3mm Oneill Seal Cub vest

Haha i just watched you've vid..I wouldn't suggest trying that in our waters

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jbshack said..


I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

Now come on JB... We all know there are only two types of surfers... Those who piss in their suit and those who say that they don't.


For all you guys with the chest pubes... I'm in the same boat. Coming from Vicco I tend to be fully suited most of the time but when I travel up the coast I surf boardies only. I can't say I have ever had a problem with hair/wax incompatibility. Those into hair removal generally use hot wax so I don't understand how the hard stuff on your board can cause so much trouble.

Besides... If you get really keen you could lie on in backwards and work on the full Back, Crack and Sack. May need less than boardies for that one though so do it on a beach I'm not at.

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doggie said..
Short jon with a 1mm wettie top underneath.

Spot on mate, thats what I was in this morning, yes was a bit cold for about 30 min then bewdiful!

Refreshing not to be in a steamer!

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Souwester said..

doggie said..
Short jon with a 1mm wettie top underneath.

Spot on mate, thats what I was in this morning, yes was a bit cold for about 30 min then bewdiful!

Refreshing not to be in a steamer!

I might get a spring suit soon, the Oneils look good.

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Mahanumah said...

jbshack said..


I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

Now come on JB... We all know there are only two types of surfers... Those who piss in their suit and those who say that they don't.


For all you guys with the chest pubes... I'm in the same boat. Coming from Vicco I tend to be fully suited most of the time but when I travel up the coast I surf boardies only. I can't say I have ever had a problem with hair/wax incompatibility. Those into hair removal generally use hot wax so I don't understand how the hard stuff on your board can cause so much trouble.

Besides... If you get really keen you could lie on in backwards and work on the full Back, Crack and Sack. May need less than boardies for that one though so do it on a beach I'm not at.

A+ response

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chrispy said..

Mahanumah said...

jbshack said..


I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

Now come on JB... We all know there are only two types of surfers... Those who piss in their suit and those who say that they don't.


For all you guys with the chest pubes... I'm in the same boat. Coming from Vicco I tend to be fully suited most of the time but when I travel up the coast I surf boardies only. I can't say I have ever had a problem with hair/wax incompatibility. Those into hair removal generally use hot wax so I don't understand how the hard stuff on your board can cause so much trouble.

Besides... If you get really keen you could lie on in backwards and work on the full Back, Crack and Sack. May need less than boardies for that one though so do it on a beach I'm not at.

A+ response

When i first got it i pissed in it. Its stays there for ages so no i actually need to really be busting to piss in it..This morning i was out of practise and pissed in it a few times But its getting older.