How To Choose A Windsurfing Wet Suit 

Unless you live in the tropics where a good fashionable summer wet suit will suffice for winter use, you will need to invest in two wet suits. One wet suit for winter and one for summer use. You must properly protect yourself from extended cold water exposure no matter the temperature of the air outside.

Neither the wet suit that has been laying around in the closet for years nor an old one available at a thrift shop will suffice for windsurfing. Herein is an overview of the modern materials and manufacturing techniques to show you what to look for and how to select the correct wet suit for windsurfing.

Summer Wet Suit Options

A good wet suit is designed specifically to provide flexibility in the areas necessary to comfortably move when windsurfing. All wet suits are made of neoprene which is a rubber closed-cell foam. Suits come in different thicknesses of neoprene to protect you during different times of the year. A beginner windsurfer should purchase a summer wet suit based on maximum summer water temperatures in your area because of the usually extended periods of water exposure.

Your first wet suit should be of full-length design (long-sleeved and to your ankles) and fit you properly. If your wet suit is too large it will not function properly by allowing too much water to enter the suit or will rub against your skin causing a rash. Wet suits typically have an addition lining of stretch synthetic fabric which in many instances is also on the exterior of the suit.

This fabric addition provides good stretching ability during use. Neoprene is always black and the outer fabric will also give the wet suit some color. You should also make sure that there is the reinforcement of thicker neoprene in the seat and knee areas of the windsurfing wet suit that you choose. Remember that the more stretchy your fashionably expensive wet suit is, the less durable it will be.

So you can go for extreme high fashion or take the middle road and get a little less stretchy yet comfortable for longer use.

Winter Wet Suit Options

Neoprene does not stretch and thus in the manufacture of wet suits, it is necessary to cut the material and sew the seams together to give the wet suit shape. How these seams are sewn together is important when selecting a good wet suit for winter use. It is also important to check the seam placement to make certain that seams are not located in key areas of mobility, such as, under your arms or across your shoulders. Seams should also not be in areas where rubbing commonly occurs, such as, behind your knees or around your neck,

A beginner should purchase a winter windsurfing wet suit, on average, that has neoprene thicknesses of 3 to 4 mm and of full length design. Make sure that there is thicker neoprene reinforcement where needed and that the seams are properly away from problem areas. Your wet suit should fit you like a glove to keep you protected. Double check the specifications locally for the exact wet suit  thickness requirements in your area, before you shop.

A good quality winter wet suit will not allow water to enter through the seams. Check the stitching to be sure that the wet suit was stitched using a blind stitch. The process requires the neoprene to first be glued together at the seams and then  stitched only part-way through the material. This provides water-tight seams with no holes through the fabric. A good quality windsurfing wet suit for winter should always be made using this process.

Remember that wet suits are made differently for men and women. To get a good fit keep this in mind.

Resources:

http://www.2radwindsurfblog.com/category/windsurfing/gear-advice/ http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~wprinz/windsurfing/Select.htmlhttp://www.pwaworldtour.comhttp://www.boards.co.uk