wetsuit questions

**huckster989** · 06-23-2009, 08:02 AM

So I'm pretty new to surfing, I just got a 7'8" fun board from a friend for cheap and I am now looking into wet suits. I live in Long Beach CA so pretty warm temps, any recommendations? I figure a 3/2mm should do fine but how much should I be spending and any thing I should be looking for?

**Ottime** · 06-23-2009, 09:07 AM

Try on a lot of suits. They are sort of like ski boots. Every manufacturer makes different shapes. I like Excels and Hotlines without the back zip - some sort of flip over head model.

Do you travel? Ever think you will head north, especially north of Point Concepcion? Will you surf only summer or winter as well?

Buy a good suit that fits well. 3/2 sounds right, but you could probably live with a shorthie is you only surf summer and don't leave LB. If you plan to visit CenCal or NorCal, you will want a quality 3/2 with sealed and blind stitched or welded seams. Get one with out a back zip - a flip over the head with chest zipper is a nice design. Not only do you get less leakage - I find them more flexible/natural.

Wetsuits work by trapping a micro thin layer of water against you skin. Therefore, if they fit tight the layer will be very thin and easy to heat with your body. If the seams don't leak, the water will stay there, not flush and maintain body temp. The thickness of the suit manages leaching of water (very slow with any thickness) and adds insulation.

A 3/2 will get you through most of winter down there. Some mornings may be chilly in mid winter. A good 3/2 and you can surf in Baja or SC for few days on a visit. I only own a 4/3 and a 5/4 for SC.

If you can, wait for labor day sales. Or come visit SC - 3/2 tend to be on sale here often.

**teosickrider** · 06-23-2009, 01:57 PM

There's not much more to say

**huckster989** · 06-23-2009, 02:04 PM

good sounding advice anyone recommend any socal shops preferably in orange county?

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 06-23-2009, 04:01 PM

^^^

What Ottitime said, but I'm more fond of O'neil and Rip Curl

**Vince** · 06-23-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by huckster989

So I'm pretty new to surfing, I just got a 7'8" fun board from a friend for cheap and I am now looking into wet suits. I live in Long Beach CA so pretty warm temps, any recommendations?

Yah. GET DA FUCK OUTTA DA WATER KOOK!

**DocChronic** · 06-23-2009, 11:35 PM

there's a ton of shops in OC. google them and see who is having full suit sales. now would be a good time to pick one up. Jack's usually blows em out. I don't know the north OC to well, but there is surfside in costa mesa and tons in huntington i would assume. In the south OC we have killer dana, and Rip Curl surf center is by trestles in san clemente. Rip curl used to have an outlet where they sent all last years stuff. It's up the street from the Rip Curl store, and called Trestles outlet i think. not sure if it's still there. There is another jacks by doheny at the 5 fwy and PCH. Google them.

**BS720** · 06-24-2009, 02:19 AM

I like O'Neil and Matuse. I have a Mutant that is great. Also have a psycho 2. The Mutant was $330, the Psycho 2 $430. Mutant is way more durable, and as good IMO. Jack's had the Mutant for $200 recently.

**Long duc dong** · 06-24-2009, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ottime

Try on a lot of suits. They are sort of like ski boots. Every manufacturer makes different shapes.

This is very important. Personally, I like O'neill's. They fit my body better than any other suit. Wear the suits for a while in the shop, you really want to get a good feel.

**ubertele** · 06-24-2009, 01:33 PM

Jack's is still running 30% off all fullsuits on their website. Code is MFULLSUIT in the checkout.

**jennygirl** · 06-24-2009, 04:07 PM

it's summer, you don't need a stinking wetsuit this time of year. i started surfing in WA (colder than shit), went down to cali for the summer and surfed in a bikini everyday. get a rash guard...and if you get decent at surfing buy a wetsuit for fall/winter for when the swells get big!

**bossass** · 06-25-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by DocChronic

there's a ton of shops in OC. google them and see who is having full suit sales. now would be a good time to pick one up. Jack's usually blows em out. I don't know the north OC to well, but there is surfside in costa mesa and tons in huntington i would assume. In the south OC we have killer dana, and Rip Curl surf center is by trestles in san clemente. Rip curl used to have an outlet where they sent all last years stuff. It's up the street from the Rip Curl store, and called Trestles outlet i think. not sure if it's still there. There is another jacks by doheny at the 5 fwy and PCH. Google them.

It's still there. Water is just getting warm enough to go without. Get a decent rash guard and then get a suit come fall...although there are probably good deals on now. I'm still out in a suit, but have been getting warm when the sun is full on. Still good for the morn/eve/greybird sesh at Chruches/Middles.

**Shredhead** · 06-25-2009, 03:00 PM

You can extend your 3/2's range a couple weeks on each end of the season by pouring warm water inside before you get in the water and during intermission.

**Ottime** · 06-25-2009, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Vince

Yah. GET DA FUCK OUTTA DA WATER KOOK!

Dude, he is surfing Long Beach. Don't get your panties all bunched. Yes, we need to keep the kooks at bay, but SoCal is already infested.

Originally Posted by Long duc dong

This is very important. Personally, I like O'neill's. They fit my body better than any other suit. Wear the suits for a while in the shop, you really want to get a good feel.

Also consider durability. Some O'neil suits are super comfy, but break sown quicker (from my experience). Some of their suits are more durable than others, as stated.

Originally Posted by jennygirl

it's summer, you don't need a stinking wetsuit this time of year. i started surfing in WA (colder than shit), went down to cali for the summer and surfed in a bikini everyday.

Bullshit. Post up some pics to prove this wild claim. And most water is colder than shit, as shit comes out hot... unless you are talking about old shit, of course. try the norCal upwelling for a chill experience, or winters in New England.

Originally Posted by Shredhead

You can extend your 3/2's range a couple weeks on each end of the season by pouring warm water inside before you get in the water and during intermission.

My buddy used to down two cokes before surfing. For the sugar/caffeine boost and a nice warm sensation about an hour into his session. Or you can buy a pair of booties.