The wetsuit manufacturers have greatly increased their understanding of materials and comfort. Where wetsuits used to fit like Glad Garbage bags, today’s wetsuits fit like gloves. Modern neoprene is now supple and stretchy and made to perfectly fit the curves of your body.
Wetsuit Thickness:
Wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses from 5mm – 2mm. They also come in a variety of thicknesses for parts of the body (i.e. 5mm on torso, 4mm on legs and arms, 3mm on the rest). A wetsuit is necessary in the climate that we live in. The water may be warm, but the wind has a cooling effect on the body and could result in you not lasting on the water as long as you could.
In the beginning stages of your windsurfing adventure, it is suggested that you either purchase a 3mm or a 4mm long wetsuit (with long sleeves and long legs). This measurement refers to the thickness of the neoprene that touches your body as well as the length. You will want as much thermal protection as you can get; don’t forget you’ll be in the water for long periods of time.
How A Wetsuit Fits:
As with a piece of clothing or a harness, you want the suit to fit properly. Now, keep in mind that it is going to feel tight when you first put it on. It has to be tight, but not so much that your face is blue after zipping it up. A wetsuit generally increases about ½ size once it is wet.
A wetsuit is a thermal layer between you and the water. The last thing that you want is really cold water rushing into all the openings like a waterfall. Water has to circulate in a wetsuit, yes, but not so much that the thermal properties become secondary and you’re always cold.
Women vs. Men Wetsuits: (The battle of the sexes rages on !)
Okay people, here is where we have to get serious once again. No, a woman won’t fit in to your buddy’s 20 year old cracked, dry, neoprene wetsuit no matter how thin your buddy was 20 years ago. If you don’t know the difference between men and women yet, then perhaps it would be a good idea to a) go back to school and take some remedial anatomy courses, or b) look at your wife or girlfriend a little more closely…
For those of you who still don’t know what we mean, here it is in a nutshell.
Women have: Breasts, smaller shoulders, hips.
Men have: Wide shoulders, no hips.
Men have: Wide shoulders, no hips.
Most women will likely experience the following sensation in a man’s wetsuit…they are in no particular order.
a) The suit will float in the shoulder area.
b) The suits will flatten her chest into something that resembles 2 peas on a dinner plate.
c) There is not enough room in the hips.
d) The waist most likely will also be too big.
With all of this said, please ladies, get a wetsuit of your own. You’ll thank us for it later. Here ends the sarcasm …
Examples of what a modern wetsuit looks like (Men):
Examples of what a modern wetsuit looks like (Women):
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