Sunday, February 17, 2013

Surfing: Why Wetsuits Are Essential

Surfing is a fun beach activity everyone should try at least once. In fact, once you’ve tried it, chances are you’ll want to keep doing it again and again. But before you entertain the thought, it is important that you start looking for a wetsuit that is perfect for you.

There are many kinds of wetsuits and each is best suited for specific conditions, be it the type of weather or body of water. It is important that you choose wisely. It’s a good thing that there are a lot of excellent brands to pick from, such as O’Neill wetsuits, Xcel wetsuits, Billabong wetsuits, and Rip Curl.

There are more than enough reasons to buy a wetsuit once you’ve considered the idea of going surfing.

Keeps You Warm
First, surfing is an activity that exposes your body to cold water. When the water is cold, there’s always the risk of hypothermia. Wetsuits have a material called Neoprene which can capture the water that comes in contact with the suit. Since wetsuits are tight-fitting, only a thin layer of water is absorbed. This thin layer consequently gets warmed up by your body heat. It is for this reason that the wetsuit you buy is perfectly fitted. If the wetsuit is worn loosely, more water comes in contact with the suit. The thicker the water, the more difficult it will be to absorb the heat being generated by the body.

Increases Buoyancy
The foamed neoprene is a material that helps you to become more buoyant in the water, resulting to improved locomotion in or above the water. So even if you’re not too skilled in swimming, wearing a wetsuit grants you an increased level of comfort. The amount of buoyancy will depend on the thickness of the suit, so it is important to consider the strength of the water current for the body of water you’re planning to surf into. O’Neill wetsuits use a flexible neoprene which makes it easier for any surfer to move.

They Look Awesome
You’ve got to admit, people wearing wetsuits look badass. Wetsuits (especially Xcel wetsuits) have that sleek look - that streamlined appearance, which makes anyone wearing it feel like a sea daredevil. You can choose any color you want, and you can choose among many different designs from the different brands.

Keeps You Comfortable
Once you’ve chosen the right fit, it gives you that feeling as if you’re wearing a new skin. Wetsuits feel like a part of your body that facilitates every movement you make in the water. O’Neill wetsuits and Xcel wetsuits are brands known for extreme comfort. The 3/2 mm O’Neill Reactor Full Wetsuit, for instance, has seamless paddle zones that prevent chafing as well as a specialized neck seal that resists flushing.

If you’re planning to purchase wetsuits, it is always better to go directly to the local store. This way, you can try on all the wetsuits that you fancy. As has been pointed out earlier in this article, getting the right fit is especially important so you can maximize the fundamental benefits that wetsuits give.

1 comment:

Squidooposters said...

I would so need a wetsuit even to step foot in the ocean!