Can You Surf Without a Wetsuit? - By: Dave Lakins

It's Christmas. You've had a few drinks, you feel a bit merry, you fancy going for a surf to burn off some of those Christmas calories. It doesn't feel too cold outside, so you're tempted to just jump straight in without putting on a wetsuit, but is it safe?

Well, with surfing in particular, you are in the water for a long period of time with extended idle periods, and this can leave you exposed to the risk of hypothermia. The bottom line is that wetsuits are really a must, because of the extra protection they provide against this risk. The suits also aid buoyancy helping you to swim and move through the water more easily.

During summer months a lightweight and skin tight wetsuit will allow you to enjoy your water sports for an extended length of time whilst protecting you from the cold British sea. In winter time especially, there is a higher risk of contracting hypothermia. This is due to the fact that water is 25 times more heat-conducting than air, meaning that you lose body heat much more quickly when in the water. Using a full length heavier duty winter wetsuit at these times is pretty much essential.

How Does a Wetsuit Work?

A wetsuit creates a barrier against the elements utilizing the insulating properties of neoprene. Neoprene is a closed cell foam made up of thousands of tiny air bubbles known as cells. This closed cell construction of the neoprene helps insulate against the colder water outside the suit. At the same time a thin layer of water comes between your body and the wetsuit, which the body heats naturally, creating a further insulating layer. It is the trapped air within the cells that helps create this dual insulating effect, allowing body heat to be retained whilst slowing the conduction of cold from the outside waters.

To maximise the insulating properties of the wetsuit’s neoprene material, the suit should be tight fitting and snug. Suits that fit poorly under the arms and around the thighs may allow too much water to collect there, robbing you of that vital insulating effect as your body struggles to heat that excess water. And of course, the colder the water is, the greater the rate of heat loss.

During the warm summer months in Britain a Shortie wetsuit made of 2 mm neoprene is fine for water temperatures above 70 F. Below that temperature you need to consider three-quarter length or full size wetsuits. Additional wetsuit accessories such as booties, gloves, socks, hood and a titanium vest can also help with the cold.

So our conclusion is that surfing without a wetsuit just does not make sense. Bearing in mind there are so many ranges to choose from, at competitive prices to suit all budgets, it’s just not worth the risk.

About the Author

The Wetsuit centre is one of the leading wetsuit suppliers in the UK. For the latest wetsuits and advice on choosing the right one for you, visit the Wetsuit Centre website.

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