Tinfoil - 13-12-2011 at 04:50 AM
Hi all, I'm thinking about starting to Kitesurf :wee:
I'd like to start next week and it's bloody cold down here on the south coast!
I've been looking at this winter wetsuit, would it suit a beginner like me?
http://wetsuits.ocean24seven.com/f44m06-billabong-wetsuits-2...
bigkahuna - 13-12-2011 at 06:21 AM
"South coast" of where exactly? Greenland? Hawaii? What are the water temps? The air temps? Need that info to advise on what wetsuit you'll need.
If it's real cold, consider a drysuit instead. That's what the North Sea commercial divers and US Coast Guard rescue swimmers wear.
wheresthewind? - 13-12-2011 at 07:56 AM
os systems here in the states makes reliable drysuits.......
tridude - 14-12-2011 at 08:01 AM
If you water temps stay are in the 50s a 4-3 suit is fine with booties, and gloves....................in the 40s, a 5-3 or dry suit (booties, gloves,
hood), in the 60s a 3-2 suit is plenty................
Tinfoil - 14-12-2011 at 09:46 AM
South Coast UK, Chichester.
Whats the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?
I'm not sure on water temps... but I've been advised that it gets pretty dayum cold!
bigkahuna - 14-12-2011 at 10:04 AM
Check with the local surfers there for advice. That's usually the best way to go. Water temps that tridude gave are in F so you'd want to
recalculate them for C. A wetsuit allows water to enter the suit a bit and your body warms it up. A dry suit seals the water out and you wear normal
clothes underneath (usually fleece sweaters and pants). For water temps over 50 F (10 C) wetsuits are the norm. But if the water temps drop below 10
C you definitely want a dry suit. Advantages and disadvantages to both, but for the UK and assuming you only kitesurf, you may want to consider a
drysuit.