WSO's Three Levels of Surfing Wetsuits

No matter our surfing standard, our choice of wetsuit should be fundamentally based around three basic principles: Warmth (seasonal) Stretch (manoeuvrability) and Price (budget).

The team at Wetsuit Outlet have picked three (beginner, intermediate and experienced) wetsuits for all surfer's ready to embrace the winter swell.

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Taking up surfing for the first time is about finding the right board and perfect peeling waves to make the experience enjoyable. We don’t really put too much thought into which wetsuit we should wear. However, even when learning to surf, a wetsuit can make all the difference in terms of pleasure/time in the water. The Billabong Absolute Comp Chest Zip (£179) is a great entry-level wetsuit built for the cold. Its thermal-insulating hollow fibre lining at the front/back means our body will be protected from chilly conditions. It has pressure-bonded internal stretch tape for durability, warmth and elasticity, allowing for an easy paddle when getting onto that first (but hopefully not the last) wave.

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We’ve got the bug. We consider ourselves recreational surfers, and can’t go a day without checking the swell, wind and tide conditions. Granted we’re not quite making it out of the barrel, but we’re tucking in at every opportunity. Thus, the type of wetsuit we wear is firmly on our radar, as we want to have the freedom of unrestricted paddling combined with warmth. The O’Neill Psycho One Back Zip (£364.95) is the ultimate high-performance cold-water wetsuit. Its unhindered mobility, enhanced durability and incredible fit, along with plasma wrist and ankle seals, will ensure an easy session on the arms, whilst eradicating water seeping in when wiping out. The O’Neill Psycho One is all about taking our performance to the next level.

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Finally, we’ve purchased our plane ticket for Australia and rented a van for our arrival. This is going to be the ultimate surf trip. From Bells Beach (Victoria) to Snapper Rocks (Queensland), we know we’re in for an amazing East Coast journey. But more importantly, we have the skills/confidence of an experienced surfer to handle any conditions. So, selecting the perfect wetsuit is up there with:

• Deciding on a twin, thruster or quad fitting

• The amount of rocker we need in our board

• The length and litreage of our board

• The stickiness of our wax

Thus, the Rip Curl Flashbomb Plus Zip Free (£449.95) is loaded with all the features we want in a high-performance wetsuit. The E5 Flash Lining gives 25% more stretch, a lower profile and is extremely light. It has two engineered layers that funnel water rapidly out of the suit making it the warmest and most comfortable lining available. The new ergonomic easy entry system will increase our paddling freedom while maintaining maximum water seal. It also has and adjustable shock cord closure system to prevent flushing, and a magnetic stash pocket for our van keys!

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So remember, when it comes to surfing, wetsuits are essential within our chosen environment...

Written by Sam Quennell

@wetsuitoutlet