Hi there,

Any advice for wetsuits in winter? I live in Sydney and might go south a couple of hours drive so was thinking a 2/3mm wetsuit would be suitable although I do feel the cold? Anything else to consider specific to windsurfing? Good cheap places to buy?

Also I came across a shark visual deterrent technology developed in Perth that looks interesting.

radiator.net/collections/shark-deterrent-surf-range

We're generally not in the water for very long but I do need to learn how to waterstart

Thanks!
Andrew

needessentials.com/products/3-2-chest-zip

Quick delivery, well made and good pricing - def worth a look and you wont look like a freakin striped circus clown

Windsurf specific

www.severnesails.com/wetsuit/severne-primo

Aside... this was interesting: needessentials.com/pages/temp-chart
It doesn't take into account wind-chill...

Melbourne can easily remove 5-10 degrees from the air-temp due to the wind coming from the Southern Ocean.
Similar for other areas.

Building on Mathew's comment, I find that sailing/kayaking spray jackets make a massive improvement to warmth due to the reduction in wind chill. If youre not constantly in the drink, I would rate a spray jacket higher than increasing wetsuit thickness (of course, do both and you will be really toasty!)

I heard Dr Surf on 3RRR talking about needessentials and he said the wetsuits were excellent.

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Stretchy said..
Building on Mathew's comment, I find that sailing/kayaking spray jackets make a massive improvement to warmth due to the reduction in wind chill. If youre not constantly in the drink, I would rate a spray jacket higher than increasing wetsuit thickness (of course, do both and you will be really toasty!)

So that's why kiters wear their boardies over the top of wetsuits.

I got a Gull steamer from England (big name brand over there) on ebay dirt cheap and $12 delivery and only took 7 days. Back zip (my preference) 4,3mm titanium mesh neoprene, super stretchy, comfy and warm. Would only qualify as a spring suit over there but perfect for a Perth winter.

Thanks for the memory jog Rog, my jacket was a Gull off Ebay from UK also.

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mathew said..
Aside... this was interesting: needessentials.com/pages/temp-chart
It doesn't take into account wind-chill...

Melbourne can easily remove 5-10 degrees from the air-temp due to the wind coming from the Southern Ocean.
Similar for other areas.

I think that's general knowledge to anyone that partakes in winter water activities!

Thats when you put on ya 4/3 , have a cup of concrete and get the **** on with it - if its too cold with the wind chill factor best to head inside for a cup of tea and some needle point

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mathew said..
Aside... this was interesting: needessentials.com/pages/temp-chart
It doesn't take into account wind-chill...

Melbourne can easily remove 5-10 degrees from the air-temp due to the wind coming from the Southern Ocean.
Similar for other areas.

Smooth-skinned, windsport-specific wetsuits are the best. Alas, they are too fragile. I had one of these:

https://www.surf-store.com/ion-quantum-semidry-4-3-sk/

Fell apart after a season.
Last winter, I had an Excel Dry-lock chest-zip 4/3. It wasn't warm enough on its own, but this on top (and a hood) made all the difference:

www.xcelwetsuits.com/shop/product/surf/2-1mm-sharkskin-top?color=BLK

It's very form fitting, so buy a size bigger than your wetsuit.
This also looks good: needessentials.com/collections/mens-wetusits/products/front-zip-jacket

I've just been looking at winter Windsurfing wetsuits myself. Considering locally available brands such as Ion, Flying OBjects and Severne.
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. I'm tall (more in legs) and have square wide shoulders which seem to be a difficult combination to fit. I always regret ordering clothes on line, so I wouldn't consider a wetsuit without trying first.

ANy thought welcome.

Wearing boots makes a big difference.
A cheaper solution than buying a 4/3 is to wear a 1mm rashie inside a 3/2

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Waiting4wind said..
...
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. ....

ANy thought welcome.

There is a surf shop on Pittwater road in the same block as Windsurf'n snow, they have a lot of stock and they made me try them out.

I am ready to pay 50% extra for ankle zippers and a front zipper ! (down below...)

The chill factor only comes when you get out of the water for a break, that is the time to wear a nice wind jacket and booties

RipCurl flashbomb 3/2 highly recommend!!
worth trying what ever you buy on as others have suggested

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Waiting4wind said..
I've just been looking at winter Windsurfing wetsuits myself. Considering locally available brands such as Ion, Flying OBjects and Severne.
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. I'm tall (more in legs) and have square wide shoulders which seem to be a difficult combination to fit. I always regret ordering clothes on line, so I wouldn't consider a wetsuit without trying first.

ANy thought welcome.

Have you thought about getting separate top and bottoms? Otherwise these people can do custom sizes

www.seatec.com.au/how-to-measure/

anchorwetsuits.com.au/about-us/
But they're in Tasmania

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, lots of good info!

If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]

So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.

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mathew said..
If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]

So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.

AFAIK, Sydney's water temp doesn't drop below 17.

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Faff said..

mathew said..
If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]

So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.

AFAIK, Sydney's water temp doesn't drop below 17.

It gets to 11 degrees or less if you sail the lakes..

I'm just going through getting a new suit..
I had a Neil Pryde Serene 3/4/5mm that has been great for the last 6 years..unfortunately it split below the armpit and although I glued it at the end of last season it came apart first go..still I think 6 years of heavy use is good value.. I could have got it repaired but it is starting to lose a little bit of flex so I thought a new one would be best.
I was just going to get another but I was told they only make to order now and there is a 6 month wait!
Ordered an Ion in a similar style - semi dry - 4/5mm/ ankle velcro closures/ wind resistant rubber etc . I couldn't get as large as I'd like .. so I'll have to try and see.
They must think all old ducks stay at home in winter and knit. grr

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sboardcrazy said..
I was just going to get another but I was told they only make to order now and there is a 6 month wait!

Sounds similar to if you live in AUS and you want to buy a new NP sail

I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.

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BSN101 said..
I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.

What's the advantage of a front zip wettie? I've been told they are really hard to get into?

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sboardcrazy said..

BSN101 said..
I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.

What's the advantage of a front zip wettie? I've been told they are really hard to get into?

Maybe a little harder but still ok.
Better seal around the neck so less water coming into the suit that way. Water pools at my ankles so I have a small drain hole there for it to release and not give me elephant ankles.
I wear a neo rashie when it's colder and my WWA rashie all other times

Sue I bought the Ion womens amp 4/3 suit with a back zip last winter, I find it slightly harder to do up as it has a neck seal that you need to pull up your back and over your head before doing up the zip, whereas my 3/2 suit with chest zip is quite easy to get into and pull over head from the side, once you've done it a couple of times its straight forward, and the chest zip is definitely warmer than a 3/2 suit I had previously with a back zip.

I got one of the first Severne steamers with a back zip 3:2 for Perth a while ago maybe 2 yrs, great wetsuit, what I like most is the loose fit arms. No more cramps after a few hours winter sailing. None.

What's great about chest zips:

a) The zip unlikely to get stuck. Happened to me twice with a back zip and with nobody around to help... and me busting for a... That's 2 wrecked wetsuits.
b) A lot less water flushing down your neck (if at all).
c) You can open the zip to let water in when you start overheating.

I bought a 5mm wetsuit to be used in the chilly alpine lakes in the summer. Unfortunately I bought a back zip one: big mistake! Every time I try a waterstart, a half liter of icy water, directly from a glacier, flows through the neck opening, and my thoughts go to the mother of the guy who designed it. Couldn't she have an headache, that night?

To resume: buy a chest zip one. They are a bit more difficult to wear, but fit their purpose of keeping you warm.