There was a thread on here a couple of weeks ago re rugging up. Having just finished my first summer season I find myself without any winter gear. Whilst I probably just need to HTFU a bit, can anybody tell me where this shop is in Torquay where I could pick up a reasonably priced steamer. The range in SHQ and RPS is pretty limited. I'm all skin and bone and feel the cold like a 5 year old girl - so any suggestions on what to go for would be great.

Across the road from Rip Curl is a shop that sells cheaper wetties. Cant remember the name but you cant miss it. I have a Peak 4/3 that I got from there at a good price. Its a cheaper brand but its kept me warm and has stood up pretty well so far (1.5 years)

Edit: Its called Strapper Factory Outlet - on the corner of Surf Coast Hwy and Spring St.

Heading down past rip curl - towards beach - turn R onto Baines crt. This is where all the big surf shops have their seconds and discontinued lines. Normally will pick up a good deal there!

Croweman - time your trip down with some wind and join us for a sail?

Crowie,
On the other side of the bay, SSS @ Inverloch had a wettie sail on over the last few weeks...I picked up a new 4-3 for a couple of hundred (about 40% off)
mick

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red said...



Croweman - time your trip down with some wind and join us for a sail?

if we ever see any wind again!!!!!

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OceanBlue64 said...

red said...



Croweman - time your trip down with some wind and join us for a sail?

if we ever see any wind again!!!!!

Is looking pretty flat for the next week.

Croweman - I've never tried this myself with anything thicker than a rashie but maybe a hot top on under your existing steamer would work? That and a helmet to keep the head warm?

Hey Croweman

Whatever you buy make sure you have good freedom in your arms. I have cut the arms off my winter wet suit as they restricted my forearms too much and I had no strength after 15 minutes. Windsurf wetties tend to take this more into consideration rather than other water sports. I going out to get myself a neoprine hood so this winter I will look like a ^%#@&%$*$ inside a condom

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red said...

Heading down past rip curl - towards beach - turn R onto Baines crt. This is where all the big surf shops have their seconds and discontinued lines. Normally will pick up a good deal there!

Croweman - time your trip down with some wind and join us for a sail?

^^^ Picked up mine here...nice'n'stretchy 3/2 @1/2price (E-bomb). It'll get me through Vic winter no probs.

Thanks all for the tips. Looks like a quick roadtrip to Torquay when the Breadknife's not looking...Is Inver/Pit looking good for the weekend? Anybody going down?

Red - thanks for the offer to sail with you guys. I'll definitely head down your way sooner rather than later. Steve

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CROWEMAN said...
Red - thanks for the offer to sail with you guys. I'll definitely head down your way sooner rather than later. Steve

Let us know when you do. We have been meaning to make the trip over that way also. Might tag along.

I am happy to tag along also. Good way to meet our Western buddies and see if there spot is all they make it out to be!

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Old Salty said...

I am happy to tag along also. Good way to meet our Western buddies and see if there spot is all they make it out to be!

After living and sailing in Melbourne - anywhere is better than the bay!

Agree whole heartedly. That is why we head to Inverloch!

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Old Salty said...

Agree whole heartedly. That is why we head to Inverloch!

Some of the best sessions I've had have been in the bay! Most recently our session at Green Point......

I am also keen to check out Connewarre and other Geelong spots and to meet some of the Geelong crew. I have sailed Altona a few times but it will be good to check out further around the coast.

On wetsuits, it is good to know of the seconds outlets at Torquay. I just bought a new steamer, with a really good discount, but probably not as cheap as a second - a "psycho freak" and it is super warm - 4.5/3.5mm. Like Croweman I am skinny and feel the cold. So far I have been toasty warm in this new suit. But the full retail price is a bit steep, unless you still have some Rudd bonus to splurge!

I think Mordys (surf shop in Mordialloc) are doing a sale on some of their 4/3 steamers at $199 at the moment.

Hard to beat.

I got one a short while back, and it's easier to get on and off and more comfy to wear than my old 3/2 'cos of the new super stretchy/lightweight materials.

Definitely money well spent. Haven't worn my 3/2 steamer since!

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Old Salty said...

Hey Croweman

Whatever you buy make sure you have good freedom in your arms. I have cut the arms off my winter wet suit as they restricted my forearms too much and I had no strength after 15 minutes. Windsurf wetties tend to take this more into consideration rather than other water sports. I going out to get myself a neoprine hood so this winter I will look like a ^%#@&%$*$ inside a condom

Hey Salty, just curious how far up did you cut your arms and did it start to fall apart after you did? I have an old and cheap non-sealed rip curl 2/3 which would be ideal to convert into more of a longjohn for early summer. Starting ti get holes in the arms anyway.

Thanks.

Hi Leman

I know a seamstress(could dream about that mistress/ seamstress!) and got her to cut the arms about 6 inches from the shoulder. She put a gusset and velcro tie on also. Been like that for 2 seasons and standing up well. I wear a full length rashie under it during the cold of winter. Really happy with the outcome.
I had real problems with 2 previous winter suits being not flexible enough in the arms. Took me a while to work out it was not me being a 80 kg weakling but the wettie restricting my muscular frame Now I am unsheathed and proud of it

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pedro e said...

I am also keen to check out Connewarre and other Geelong spots and to meet some of the Geelong crew. I have sailed Altona a few times but it will be good to check out further around the coast.

Inverloch guys - wouldn't this be a good opportunity to run one of Salty's planned 'clinics' down the coast with our Belarine cousins? Should guarantee a turnout and maybe Red could teach us a few tricks of the trade. . Red - bit forward of me to volunteer you for active duty - but we need all the help we can get...Just a thought

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Old Salty said...

Hi Leman

I know a seamstress(could dream about that mistress/ seamstress!) and got her to cut the arms about 6 inches from the shoulder. She put a gusset and velcro tie on also. Been like that for 2 seasons and standing up well. I wear a full length rashie under it during the cold of winter. Really happy with the outcome.
I had real problems with 2 previous winter suits being not flexible enough in the arms. Took me a while to work out it was not me being a 80 kg weakling but the wettie restricting my muscular frame Now I am unsheathed and proud of it

Awesome appreciate the info. Probably not worth me paying a seamstress since it was only one of those cheap and nasty rip curl ones and it is now quite used and it useless for the winter anyway. Think I may just self cut it and perhaps hand sew the edges to smooth it out. Should be a decent option for cold spring/summer days.

I know what you mean about the arms tho. I have a cheap rip curl 3/4 which I no longer use that makes me walk like a sumo wrestler. Until the numbness sets in it used to kill my forearms for the first 15 mins of sailing. Now use an O'neill Mutant (which I got on sail) and haven't looked back.

Thanks again.

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CROWEMAN said...

Red - bit forward of me to volunteer you for active duty - but we need all the help we can get...Just a thought

Dont worry about him. He loves to show off. Its such a shame he sails so well. Doesnt give me much ammo to hang $hit on him lol.

Just looked at the forecast for Monday. Westerlies - perfect for Pt Henry

regarding winter equipment - need your suggestions for shoes / socks... have a nice wetsuite, don't feel the wind or low temps - but my foot... just freezing!

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Scooby said...

regarding winter equipment - need your suggestions for shoes / socks... have a nice wetsuite, don't feel the wind or low temps - but my foot... just freezing!

I just wear a pair of ripcurl boots. Just make sure you try on a few different pairs and styles because some feel more comfortable than others.

crowman just go the full monty son .

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konasurfing said...

crowman just go the full monty son .

Kona - think you meant scooby...but for what its worth I've got a standard pair of NP5000 boots - sorry, can't bring myself to call them ''booties'' - and they keep me lovely and warm. Also wear a pair of old mountain biking gloves - which seem to do the trick