UK surfing wetsuits need to be carefully considered. When surfing in cold waters – especially through off-season months – the type of wetsuit you choose is key to making your sessions fun or hard work. Here are 7 points to consider when buying a new wetsuit – used or new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXIbBpNt_P8

UK surfing wetsuits from NCW are fairly priced.

NCW supplies surfing wetsuits designed around wave riding in the UK and Northern Europe. Whilst you can use North Coast Wetsuits’ gear in warmer climes we predominantly create our products for cold water immersion. Spending considerable amounts of time during the testing phase NCW is committed to supplying the best and most affordable UK surfing wetsuits.

We also price our suits fairly. Using premium materials – comparable to bigger brand wetties – we feel that a sensibly priced wetsuit is kinder to wallets and fairer to UK surfers. We do the same thing with our range of second-hand and pre-loved wetsuits. Never overcharging; instead, ensure surfing and watersports are accessible, regardless of your budget.

Premium wetsuit material without the premium price tag.

We appreciate that budgets are tight in the times we live. Sometimes it’s hard to justify a new purchase based on a seemingly frivolous activity like surfing. Especially if there are more important things to pay for. Yet we all need a release; a place to find some headspace. And where self-care and mental health should be considered surfing is a great activity to help you reset. Just not to the detriment of paying the mortgage.

Here at NCW we get this wholeheartedly. And we’ve said often about how we price North Coast Wetsuits gear fairly. There’s no question we’re in business. And have to cover our costs whilst making a profit. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here. But we do all we can to help alleviate the strain of rising costs attached to watersports and surfing.

A wetsuit fit for purpose.

When we say UK surfing wetsuits (supplied by NCW) are fit for purpose we’re talking about all aspects. Most notably the wetsuit’s durability. Without forgetting how warm it’ll keep you whilst in the brine.

So many wetsuits these days aren’t as durable as they should be. Materials may sound exotic, with brands promoting the benefits. But if a wetsuit only lasts a short period of time that’s not great. Not great for your wallet, as you’ll have to buy new sooner than expected, and not great for the planet.

Some of the more eco-friendly wetsuits – as they’re billed – actually don’t have as much longevity as a more traditional petrochemical-manufactured wetsuit. A suit ending up in landfill quicker than it should – particularly when it’s supposed to be ‘green’ – is arguably worse for the planet. NCW wetsuits last.

North Coast Wetsuits – the real deal surf shop and surfing brand.

Any surfer, who’s been around the sport for a while, will be aware of how corporate the industry has become. There’s been plenty written and said of surfing’s corporate sell-out, chasing the big bucks instead of concentrating on why they exist in the first place. Bona fide, real deal surf shops and surfing brands are hard to come by, sadly…

North Coast Wetsuits push back against this trend. The Rubber Shack, 10 minutes outside of Polzeath (where NCW are based) is a bit old school and throwback. Alternatively, think of us like the surf shops and brands you used to come across back in the day. The Rubber Shack smells of rubber and wax. We don’t have boutique-style aesthetics. It’s all very spit and sawdust, in the best way. We’re based in a farmyard after all! Our point? We’re real, have always been and will continue to be so.

We cater for ALL wetsuit budgets – an inclusive surfing brand.

Second-hand and pre-loved wetsuits are products NCW specialise in. As well as new wetsuits we do a great line in used wetsuits. Nothing is beyond the realms of salvage. Regularly we’re handed wetsuits that some riders consider fit for the bin. Yet, in most cases, we can save these suits and sell them to surfers who don’t have the cash for new.

This backs up the NCW green ethos as well as providing affordable products for all budgets. Our in-house seamstress is a dab hand at fixing and repairing. In most cases, second-hand wetsuits we’ve spruced up as good as they were when new. Why throw something away when it can be upcycled or recycled? 

Summing up.

As we said at the start of this article, surfing wetsuits are varied. There’s a lot of choice and it’s sometimes hard to know where to begin. Keeping things homegrown and using a UK based ‘real’ surf brand like North Coast Wetsuits means you’ll be getting great products and great service. We don’t say this lightly. Get in touch with us and find out for yourself.

You can also view NCW wetsuit selection online here.