Surf School: Wetsuits 101

Wetsuits are made for the water sports enthusiast. It doesn't matter if you're surfing, water skiing, diving or simply swimming—there's a wetsuit for you.

The wetsuit serves many purposes such as warmth, protection from friction and scrapes from rocks and coral. The wetsuit also provides some buoyancy to the wearer.

But first, a little bit of history.

In the early 1950s, physicist Hugh Bradner invented the first wetsuit; however, his patent application was rejected because the suit design was similar to a flight suit.  He was unsuccessful in marketing his invention to the public.

Also in the early 1950s, a body surfer showed his friend, businessman Jack O'Neill, pieces of neoprene. O'Neill began to experiment with the foam by gluing pieces together to create the modern wetsuit. Some credit O'Neill as the inventor of the wetsuit.

In 1953, the Beach Cities' own Meistrell brothers, Bob and Bill, also began to experiment with neoprene. Soon, was created.

Over the years, several companies have manufactured wetsuits in different styles and thicknesses, depending on the intended use. Not all wetsuits are created equal, and the type used will depend on the users sport.

Full suits and spring suits are the most common wetsuit styles for surfers. A full suit, which covers the torso, arms and legs, will generally be thicker in the torso and thinner in the limbs. The thicker torso will keep the core warmer while the thinner limbs provide flexibility. Some wetsuit manufacturers weave titanium into the torso of the neoprene wetsuit, which allows for a thinner, lighter suit. The titanium reflects the heat back to the body for added warmth.

A traditional spring suit covers the torso and has short arms and legs. A wetsuit with short arms and long legs is also sometimes referred to as a spring suit. Like full suits, the material covering the torso is thicker than the material covering the legs.

As an example, I have a 3/2 mm full suit, meaning that the torso of my suit is 3 mm and the limbs are 2 mm thick, providing me with warmth and the flexibility I need to paddle out. My spring suit is a 2/1 mm wetsuit that works great in the warmer months.

The average diver will wear at least a 3 mm full suit, but many prefer a 5-7 mm wetsuit in colder water. A diver will also wear a hood and booties to trap his or her body heat, as most heat loss will be from the head. Some cold-water surfers also wear a hood and booties, though this is more common in Northern California.

In Southern California, where the water temperature is between 57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and summer, respectively, a wetsuit is nice but not always necessary.

The style and thickness preferred in a wetsuit will depend entirely on the user. If you happen to get cold easily, then you may be more comfortable in a thicker suit. You may also want to wear a full suit into the warmer months.

When looking for the perfect suit, take your time. Make your selection based on your needs and preferences. Try on several suits before you buy one. Make sure you can rotate your arms comfortably, and make sure you have a good seal at the entry points, i.e. neck, wrists and ankles.

You don't want a suit that is too tight or too loose. If your suit is too tight, you will feel constricted. If your suit is too loose, too much water will collect, causing you to lose body heat. Proper fit is important.

A wetsuit can be an investment, but if you take good care of your suit by rinsing it after every use, it will last you a long time.