Wetsuits for surfing – getting the correct fit.

Whatever watersports you’re into there’s a wetsuit and correctly fitting one with your name on it. Here at NCW we field questions about wetsuits for different sports all the time with many not realising rubber should be tailored differently depending on the discipline in question.

Sticking with surfing there’s a specific wetsuit fit you’ll need to make sure your session and enjoyment is as tip top as can be. Being immersed, and in the drink more than on top of it, requires a wetty that stops as much water flush as possible. Oncoming froth and white water, high speed wipeouts and duck diving put surfers in a position where water can rush in through the wetsuit’s neck seals and wash through the whole suit. It goes without saying the UK isn’t the Tropics. Even in high summer our oceans are still frigid and cold water blasting against flesh (even rubber covered skin) will see chill set in quick smart.

A wetsuit for surfing should be as snug as possible – even to the point of it being a struggle to get on. You do need some moisture to enter the suit as that’s how they work (see more on wetsuits and how they work via this article). Mostly, however, the rubber you should stop around 80% of salty brine getting in. As well as the suit’s overall fit ankle, wrist and neck seal should be fairly tight to (again) halt as much as possible cold water flush.

Different wetsuits come with different zip systems. Whilst we do sell back zip wetsuit at NCW we usually recommend chest zip styles. Having a mini front mount entry hole is another way to stop flush. Back zip suits can let water in whereas front zips make it much harder for that to occur. We appreciate for a good many chest zip wetties are unfamiliar territory and require a specific technique to actually get the damn thing on. But once in place, and out in the brine, you’ll be glad of a front entry wetsuit. Check out this article to see how to get a front zip wetsuit actually on.

For more essential NCW Surf Knowledge head over to the following page –

And don’t forget to check out more from NCW’s Beginner Guide to Surfing –