| Being exposed to the water is continual in surfing. | | | | crouching. |
| Even riding a wave the spray is constantly on | | | | Similar comments apply to any kind of seam. |
| your body. Sometimes, it feels colder than the | | | | Though more flexible than a metal or even a |
| water itself. Air carries away body warmth more | | | | plastic zipper, a joint where two layers of |
| easily when your skin is wet. | | | | neoprene meet is always going to be less flexible |
| Wetsuits and drysuits to the rescue. | | | | than a large swatch of material. The glue is less |
| Wetsuits are made of neoprene, a special | | | | flexible, if that's how the seam is sealed. But even |
| synthetic rubber that contains thousands of air | | | | a seam created by heat sealing will have some |
| pockets. That makes them lightweight, highly | | | | thickening, which is less flexible. Otherwise, it |
| elastic and well insulating. They hug the body and | | | | wouldn't be a seam. |
| fit reasonably well around the neck, wrists and | | | | As a result of these issues, designers try to |
| ankles - everywhere the water might gain | | | | maximize the comfort and stretch of a suit |
| entrance to the inside of the wetsuit. | | | | where it is most needed. Since wetsuit design is |
| But wetsuits are designed to have some | | | | as much art as science, and everyone has a |
| breathability. They work by trapping a thin layer | | | | different viewpoint on the best design. So, there |
| of moisture between the skin and the wetsuit. | | | | are hundreds of different choices. |
| The body easily heats that thin layer and the | | | | Drysuits are a special category, needed only by |
| body and suit work together to keep it heated. | | | | those surfers who are braving the coldest waters. |
| Wetsuits come in a variety of designs. Some of | | | | Whether in the UK, Alaska, or other areas, there |
| that variation is just for the sake of fashion. But | | | | are waters that are consistently below 60F/15C. |
| other aspects are functional. Those encompass | | | | It's possible to lose body heat to a dangerous |
| zippers, seams and sealing material around the | | | | extent. In most cases, that calls for a drysuit if |
| openings. | | | | the wearer is going to be exposed for more than |
| The number and location of zippers is a | | | | a few minutes. |
| compromise between the need to keep the | | | | Drysuits, unlike wetsuits, are designed to allow no |
| wetsuit flexible and easy to enter versus keeping | | | | entry of water at all. They're made from a dozen |
| it well sealed from cold water entering. | | | | different materials, but are often a form of |
| Because the line along a zipper is always less | | | | neoprene as well. They tend to be more flexible, |
| flexible than the surrounding material, zippers are | | | | but are also often used with an undersuit as well, |
| often not placed directly down the front | | | | along with booties, gloves and a hood. |
| midsection of the body. That would make them | | | | Let your personal comfort and the conditions you |
| easier to get in and out of, but it leads to more | | | | surf in be your guide. Always wear uv protective |
| discomfort for a surfer who is constantly leaning | | | | clothing and sun protection swimwear with |
| over or lying down to paddle, popping up and | | | | UPF50+ maximum cover. |