wet / dry suits

[junkfoodjunky128]

hey u guys!
i really want to wakeboard during the winter, but i dont know what i buy. first of all, what is the difference between a dry or wet suit? it gets probably about 30 degrees in bakersfield California, and if there is some certian brand that works best? (i get really cold really fast) thanks a lot

[bonzo]

a dry suit is thicker
keepin you drier
therfore warmer

[drivesalot]

not quite.

A wet suit is a neoprene rubber suit designed to be close fitting but also allowing a thin layer of water to get between the suit and your skin. This water then heats up and helps keep you warm. This is why when you jump in with your wetsuit on you initially get a rush of cold water but then warm up. Wetsuits come in various thicknesses and design ie. full suit, shorty, short leg etc. etc. A well fitted winter suit (thicker neoprene) will keep you pretty warm in cold water.
Drysuits on the other hand are designed to keep all water out and therefore are made of a waterproof material with tightly fitting seals around the wrists, ankles and neck. They also have waterproof zips. You can wear a drysuit over whatever clothes you need to keep warm ie. a tracksuit or purpose made insulating suit. A drysuit will keep you warm and dry in very cold wayer but can be a little restricting.
Hope this clarifies things for you.

[neb79]

if you go for a wetsuit, get one with super stretch panels around the waste and shoulders this will lessen the restriction a suit can give.

i've never tried but i can imagine a dry suit to be an odd thing to board in. :?

[Dimmer]

I've gone for a 5/3 Ripcurl Raptor (Viper core) Slickskin. This is fine so far in the water. really warm & comes with the back panel/neck guard which stops the drips down the back. Cost £160 GBP in the UK.

A friend bought the 5/3 Ripcurl Fireskin (cost £60 more) and is over the moon with it.

5/3 seems to give the right amount of flexibility for boarding.

[boarditup]

Just got back from INT US Championships in Bakersfield.

As for suit - lots of options. A dry suit will keep you warmer. You control that by what you wear underneath. Here in MI, I am still in wetsuit and will never get to drysuits because I have to winterize by then. We do, howver, take a cooler of waterbottles filled with hot tap water and douse the inside of our suits before getting into the water. That way, cold water does not infiltrate in so quickly. If it is really cold, I wear a shorty under the full suit.

As for suits - I sell a 3/2 for $70, a 4/3 fully taped for $189 (not in stock, yet, just beginning production), and a drysuit for $200. American made, American sized, and a limited lifetime warranty.

www.boarditup.com