Its soon time for me to make my move down to victoria,
but just need some local knowledge on what thickness/type of wetsuit I would need to survive victorian windsurfing climate?
I have no knowledge on wetsuits, so please add as much detail as possible :P
Cheers

ask for 2 to 3 in thickness for sure (full body wetsuite)... you might need booties as well. Its COLD and if you dont strech and drink enough water before going out you will get crambs

A good 4/3 steamer will keep you warm enough once you get use to have numb feet. BYO wind at the moment i,m afraid

As much as you can afford in winter.... 4/3 steamer, booties, and even wettie gloves and balaclava if you want to feel even remotely tropical.

In summer you only really need a wettie to keep sun and jellies of ya, 1 - 2 mm, if at all

Other times i use a 3/2 steamer.

Some of the hard as dudes here wear a bit less, but im softer and prefer warmer

holy ****!
1600 for a H-Bomb 3/2 steamer
Is there a 2nd hand market at all for these?
Or is it just buy brand new and empty your wallet?

About $500-$550 will get you a 4/3 E-bomb or something equally good with all the bells and wistles.

I just go for the poverty pack version at at 220 - 300 depending on brand and where you go to get it.

Some guys reckon its worth spending more and swear by it, and im not doubting them, but its all about how much water time you get and how much you can justify i guess.

sounds like im sticking to board shorts for now :P
As 500$ is a 2months away :P

A good quality 3/2 is better than a cheap 4/3 (sorry for the obvious comment!)

I picked up a 3/2 E-bomb for $250 at the Torquay wholesale outlet, good stretchy wetty & it gets me out in sub 10 degree conditions...incl. hail storms!

My next purchase will be a neoprene beany - head has to stay warm.

I got previous season 3/4 O'Neill Mutant for a bit over $300. In the peek cold with booties and perhaps an under vest it is more than enough unless I am standing on the beach wet doing nothing. Just don't get the basic cheap versions of any of the companies, they leak through the seams and can be quite stiff.

Good shopping!

I bought a cheapy 4/3 fully sealed O'Neil steamer last winter for $200 (on special at Tonic, Barwon Heads) Got me through last winter, warm as toast. Much warmer than my 3/2 E Bomb that has only been used a dozen times. Don't need to spend the big bucks if you are wiling to hunt around. I really don't find the 4/3 wetties restrictive when windsurfing, unlike surfing where the thinner wetsuit is more important when shoulder movement is needed to paddle.

How many seasons usage would you tend to get out of a wetty?

Jump on this one?
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Accessories/~rzi1p/2009-43-EBomb-Wetsuit.aspx?search=BYPcS9OYvePBAffqp0K0hw%3d%3d

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Scully said...

How many seasons usage would you tend to get out of a wetty?

Jump on this one?
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Accessories/~rzi1p/2009-43-EBomb-Wetsuit.aspx?search=BYPcS9OYvePBAffqp0K0hw%3d%3d

Dunno... thats a bit like asking how many years will a set of tyres last on your car.....

Depends on how many k's you do.

With my lack of time on water at the moment, and our lack of wind, i reckon my current wetties will last till i die

Yeah if that e-bomb is ok and doesnt smell to much its probably an ok deal.

Hey Scully,
I hate to state the obvious, but you're in for a real shock. The water temp in the bay will bottom out at around 10 degrees...........but there is a suit that will help you overcome this.

Check out

http://www.ion-essentials.com/public/content/products/neoprene/wetsuits/series/strike/wetsuit_products/semidry_4_3_skin/

They differ quite a lot from a traditional surfing suit and teamed with booties and a neo beanie should allow you to sail comfortably right through your first southern winter.

Cheers

Warwick

it depends if you are a man or a man with a ladies body

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rps said...

Hey Scully,
I hate to state the obvious, but you're in for a real shock. The water temp in the bay will bottom out at around 10 degrees...........but there is a suit that will help you overcome this.

Check out

http://www.ion-essentials.com/public/content/products/neoprene/wetsuits/series/strike/wetsuit_products/semidry_4_3_skin/

They differ quite a lot from a traditional surfing suit and teamed with booties and a neo beanie should allow you to sail comfortably right through your first southern winter.

Cheers

Warwick

Just dont wee in it...or any other fully taped seamed wetsuit. They're great at keeping water out, and water in.

With a 4/3 in winter I only get cold feet. The only time my body gets cold, is from standing on the beach in the wind between sessions. Helmet keeps the head warm also.

Anyway, I am sure the guys here would agree that the conditions here in winter can get so good that you forget about the cold pretty quick.

haha looking forward to it,
I'm not overally fussed about being warm, just something that will allow me to keep sailing rather than passing out
Thanks alot
See ya in 2 weeks

Hey Warwick/RPS
Do you stock Ion Wetsuits?
If so, Whats the price tag on the one you just reccommended me?

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rps said...

Hey Scully,
I hate to state the obvious, but you're in for a real shock. The water temp in the bay will bottom out at around 10 degrees...........but there is a suit that will help you overcome this.

Check out

http://www.ion-essentials.com/public/content/products/neoprene/wetsuits/series/strike/wetsuit_products/semidry_4_3_skin/

They differ quite a lot from a traditional surfing suit and teamed with booties and a neo beanie should allow you to sail comfortably right through your first southern winter.

Cheers

Warwick

Warwick - What are you selling these for?

Select to expand quote

rps said...

Hey Scully,
I hate to state the obvious, but you're in for a real shock. The water temp in the bay will bottom out at around 10 degrees...........but there is a suit that will help you overcome this.

Check out

http://www.ion-essentials.com/public/content/products/neoprene/wetsuits/series/strike/wetsuit_products/semidry_4_3_skin/

They differ quite a lot from a traditional surfing suit and teamed with booties and a neo beanie should allow you to sail comfortably right through your first southern winter.

Cheers

Warwick

OR



... it's really not that cold compared to other places.

Hey guys,
we have the Ion Strike which sells for $589 and for the real wimps [me!] we have the Ion Quantum 5/4 which is $689. They're pretty plush suits.

So they are comparably priced to any of the top end surf brand wetties, but are loaded with materials and features that really make them windsurf specific.

Cheers

Warwick

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... it's really not that cold compared to other places.

coming from a whingeing POM... oops forgot about the 20/20 world cup....

www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Brighton_1/seatemp

The other brighton is colder...