SurfGirl WInter Wetsuit Guide 2010 by Orca Publications

winter wetsuit special

Winter B e at e r s

Who remembers the snow we had last winter? It was one of the coldest winters on record

in the UK and Ireland and the sea temperature dropped accordingly.

You may not be ready to start thinking of the colder, greyer months ahead just yet (after

our sun and surf filled summer!). But, sorry to say it, it won’t be long before it starts

getting chilly in the mornings and evenings again... Don’t let the cold put you off though,

now is the time of those perfectly lined up, predictable and fun autumn swells, so get kitted

up and get in there! Here’s our guide to the best suits on the market to help ensure you’re

fully prepared this winter whatever the elements may throw our way!

mike searle

Wetsuit manufacturers continue to refine their cutting-edge winter wetsuits on your behalf, and most suits these days now use the wonderful superstretchy neoprene that revolutionised cold water surfing a few years ago – and meant that you could walk to the beach without looking like the Tin Man. In wetsuits the key to warmth is of course fit, and this lightweight new neoprene ensures a snug fit and flexibility. It means a warmer suit that actually lets you surf through the winter, rather than just survive it.

Web: www.aldersportswear.com Email: info@aldersportswear.com Call: 01566 783 444

Web: www.snuggwetsuits.co.uk Email: snugg@globalnet.co.uk Call: 01637 878488

alder.

Snugg.

A new pattern for winter 2010 offers more stretch across the shoulders and a flattering style. Neoprene tape on stress areas inside, liquid seal cuffs, and a lycra lined neck keeps you warm and comfortable, the full 100%, X–Stretch neoprene and bat flap means hours of toasty fun in the waves. RRP £150

A great homegrown brand that truly understands the ‘winter’ in winter suit, and focuses their production accordingly. Neoprene tape on stress areas, liquid seal cuffs, and a lycra lined neck keep you warm and comfortable, and the full 100% X–Stretch neoprene will ensure that you’re popping up with ease as part of your winter session warm up! RRP £135

Features Ultraspan stretch neoprene throughout, hollow fibre chest panel, double-glued, blindstitched and heat-sealed taped seams, interlocking ’Y’-flap water barrier panel to prevent water entry through back zip, smoothskin neck, pre-bent arms and legs, Kanoko flex kneepads for comfort and durability. Made to measure for a perfect fit (stock sizes also available). RRP £220

Fluid Lady

Freeride Lady

Sabotage

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A booming industry – what’s going on?

Last winter wetsuit sales were up despite the recession. Surfers may be able to go without a new t shirt, but you can’t surf without a wetsuit. People also seem to be appreciating the fact that if you spend a bit more money and look after your suit then you’re going to get good value out of it.

Get the fit

The first step in choosing this essential piece of kit is to get the right size – tight (but not too tight!) and with no baggy bits. Most manufacturers have a plethora of sizes and provide handy size charts so you should have plenty to choose from, and you need to go for the wetsuit that fits you the best. Trying on hundreds of wetsuits in a hot changing room is about as much fun as being in the England football team’s meet and greet, so you want to be in and out of there quickly, as after the third suit you’ll be over it. A good salesman should nail the perfect size for you in a couple of suits, so listen to them. And don’t run off and buy it elsewhere if they’ve been going through the suits with you for half an hour!

Web: www.circle-one.co.uk Call: 01363 773005

Web: www.oneill.com Email: wetsuits.eu@oneillwetsuits.com Call: 01730 811460

Web: www.tikisurf.co.uk Email: tiki@tikisurf.co.uk Call: 01271 812442

circle one.

o’neill.

Tiki.

Circle One’s flagship wettie, the Icon, is built to withstand the worst that a UK winter can throw at it. It’s fully GBS, has spot reinforced seams, a barrier system and Kevlar knee pads. Plus it’s 75% super-stretch – so you’ll still be able to paddle back out after a couple of hours in the water… RRP £170

Always a highly anticipated wetsuit, and this season’s new Psycho 2 doesn’t disappoint. As ever with the Psycho’s, O’Neill just keep chucking new and improved features and materials at it and it keeps getting better. New for Fall 2010, XDS-Air Firewall in the chest and back, combined with Double Fluid Seam Weld keeps you warm and loose. It’s a goodie, and you’ll be glad you spent the extra few quid come next February... RRP £270.00

Tested by O’Neill’s female team riders, the 2010 D’Lux is O’Neill’s mid range winter suit and brings together many of the features that the top end suits have. It’s got a Covert Code Red Zipper, Smooth Skin and Firewall on the chest, Smoothskin on the back, 40% UltraFlex and 60% FluidFlex in the body, with exterior Fluid Seam Weld to keep that pesky 8° water where it should be... RRP 5/3: £175.00, 4/3: £170.00

Ok, so the TK90 is heated. Yup: a heated wetsuit. There are heat pads built into the suit which you can activate when you’ve been waiting too long for that set and the winter chill starts to bite. Plus the TK90 uses silky-smooth Soft Touch neoprene, and this winter’s suits have got some great prints on them too: so looking cool and feeling warm. Perfect. From £190

Icon

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Psycho 2

D’Lux

TK90

Web: www.bodyglove.eu Email: sales@typhoon-int.co.uk Call: 01642 486104

Web: www.roxy.com Email: liam@quiksilver-tech.com

Bodyglove.

roxy.

An entry level suit from one of the most respected players on the wetsuit scene, the Method is built from 100% Quadra Flex, has superflex kneepads and flatlock stitching. Plus it’s got a smoothskin collar and is anatomically cut, so you’ll be comfy and neck-rash free. RRP £90

Placing itself firmly at the ‘there’s snow on the beach’ end of the market, the Fusion Neo Zip is Body Glove’s top end winter suit. It’s got Vaporlock seams, a Thermofiber chest panel and fluid seams throughout, plus the Neo Chest Zip system to ensure that nothing gets in... RRP £220

The Syncro is Roxy’s entry level suit but, don’t be fooled, today’s entry level suit is the top end beast of yesteryear. And Roxy are really pushing the envelope – the Syncro is 100% Hyperstretch II, has a HFT Heating System ‘wicking’ chest panel, and a solid zip closure system. Count yourself lucky to live in an age when you can get that lot for £135.

Bringing out the big guns, and Roxy’s 2010 Cypher is up there with the best. This year’s suit is using Fibre–lite neoprene, which is apparently 14% more flexible, combined with a bamboo charcoal nylon jersey – which absorbs less water and weighs less. The Vaporstretch mesh skin has incredibly high heat insulation and maximum stretch, and the suit’s available in chest or back zip, and has a hooded option: decisions, decisions... RRP £220

Method

Fusion Neo Zip

Syncro

Cypher

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Homework

Do your homework on the suit you need. Check out the suits we’ve had a look at here, and work out what you need: 5/3 or 4/3? Front zip or back zip? Built in hood or separate hood? Then think about your budget. You can get a good suit that will see you through the winter for under £150, but you do get what you pay for. Wetsuits over £200 will be higher spec (which equals warmer and more flexible), and better quality. All companies have their high-tech linings and neoprenes. Check what percentage of a wetsuit is made up of these (having the flexi materials in the regions where you really need it, such as shoulders, is a real plus). Obviously the top-end suits will have all the bells and whistles, but you’ll pay more for them. If you haven’t got the budget then opt for a suit with less add-ons, but that uses a good quality neoprene.

Web: www.billabongwetsuits.com Email: officeuk@billabong.tm.fr Call: 023 92465555

Web: www.gul.com Call: 01208 262400

billabong.

gul.

A solid member of the Billabong range, the Synergy continues the trend for filtering down the features of top end suits to ensure that you’re getting maximum comfort for your cash. This winter’s Synergy is 50% Airlite Superflex, to keep you flexible where it really matters, has a new ‘furnace lining’ at the front of the suit, and has a Drymax zip to keep that chilly winter water at bay... RRP £130

Billabong’s flagship wettie continues to impress with yet more space-age features brought into this year’s winter suit. It uses the ‘furnace lining’ on the front and back, makes use of solar mesh – which absorbs any external heat and transfers it to the body – and uses ZG400, a new Japanese fabric which Billabong claim is the lightest and most flexible wettie material on the market... Exciting times! RRP £240

Not only are Gul producing ever more impressive wetties, but this winter also sees their most environment friendly offering to date. The Recore uses recycled polyester and utilises a bamboo based insulation which is not only fully sustainable and eco friendly, but also up to 30% warmer than standard suits. So, a win/win option, what are you waiting for?

Gul continue to mix it up with the big boys with their top tier Vortex. A suit truly designed for those ‘scraping ice off your windscreen’ mornings, and built very much with British winters in mind. This year’s offering has external liquid seems, uses X–flex super stretch in the main panels and has wind– stopping Thermospan to keep those demon north–easterlies out...

Synergy

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SG5

Recore Eco

Vortex

Web: www.ripcurl.com

Web: www.xcelwetsuits.com Email: info@danielsurf.com Call: 01752 330772

xcel.

Rip Curl.

If neck entry systems aren’t your bag, then Xcel’s OS (Off Set) zip system has the ultimate back-entry. The OS–zip is offset by 5cm to allow increased stretch along the spine and ease of entry, and the water resistant short back zip combines with the inner dam to reduce waterflow through the wetsuit. Aside from the entry system, the OS-zip has all the features and performance characteristics of the Infiniti. Keeping everyone happy then. From £230

Xcel’s Infiniti continues to offer the ultimate in cold water performance. With a front zip, an engineered fit with minimum seams and panels, and fusion taped seams – you really have got the ultimate in flex and warmth. Plus it has an eco-friendly water repellent thermal lining constructed from recycled fibres and bamboo charcoal to help keep the heat in too. Winner of umpteen ‘industry awards’, and constantly innovating, an Xcel Infiniti is a sure-fire prospect for toastie winter sessions. From £270

With the G–Bomb Rip Curl know they’ve got a winning formula and, in the battle for women’s wetsuit supremacy, this suit has been at the top of its game for a few years now. With a great entry system, seamless shoulders and typically stylish graphics, the 2010 model is as flawless as ever. The suit is 100% E3 neoprene and, with a dedicated following, the G-Bomb’s a very safe bet. Available in 5/3 or 4/3. RRP £230

The mid level stalwart of Rip Curl’s range, this winter’s Dawn Patrol makes use of Elastomax 3 panels where you need them most, a fireskin lining which wicks water away from your body and is fully GBS. A fine example of a mid-range suit punching above its weight, the Dawn Patrol will keep you warm and flexible throughout the darker months... Available in 5/3 or 4/3. RRP £130

Os–zip

Infiniti (with or without hood)

G-Bomb

Dawn Patrol

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Do your bit

The Holy Grail for the companies is a wetsuit that fits perfectly, lets you move as if you’re just wearing a bikini and a rashie, and keeps you warm in the water all the way down to six degrees. Not much to ask then! Amazingly they are getting there, but you have to do your bit too, and if you’re still wearing three year old boots with a hole in the toe then you’ll get cold quickly. Spend as much as you can on ‘accessories’ – £40 on a few cocktails on a Saturday night, or £40 on some decent boots? One option will have you feeling way better for that Sunday morning dawnie!

C–Skins.

The Angel is specifically designed and engineered for women and has had a full makeover for winter 2010. New features include pure double lined Ultra Stretch C-Flex neoprene throughout, the exclusive Enigma Zip System, and 100% LQS Liquid taping system. Couple this with C–Skin’s great rep for build quality and durability, and with typically classy graphics – and the Angel’s a definite winner. RRP £230

The Legend is C-Skin’s mid-range suit. It uses their top-end Ultra Stretch C-Flex neoprene where you need it on the upper body and around the shoulders, has DuroFlx knee pads and their Ozone closeout backzip barrier. A great option if you spent too much on that summer surf trip and want a toastie suit that’s not going to leave you skint till spring. RRP £130

Angel

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Legend

mike searle

Web: www.c-skins.com Email: info@c-skins.com UK & Ireland Distribution by CJB’s Surf Co: +44 (0) 1208 78845

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