So today I got a bluebottle up my boardshorts.
Yeah, I know, individualy the stings aren't that bad, but I must have gotten 100 all over my arse...
Now, such an event must be so rare that the odds are very remote that it will happen to me again, however, the laws of probability like to give us all the finger from time to time.
So I've decided to get a wetsuit. Whats the best type of wetsuit to wear in a WA summer? I'd prefer to wear something fairly long to prevent sunburn, but I'll settle on a shorter suit if it's likely to be too hot.
Other option is a stinger suit, I guess, do people really wear those here?
On a similar note ...
I've seen some crew at Sandgate in Brisbane (that's apparently notorious for irritating stingers) wearing long-legged rashie material (lycra?) pants.
What are these, are they worth getting for the Sandgate area (I've just started kiting there and haven't experienced the jellies yet), and where do I get 'em?
Cheers,
Diz
it's funny you should mention sandgate and rashies, cause i've kited there and repeatedly brushed up against those big clear stingers without incident (no shirt on), and other blokes who were out at the same time have come in covered with red marks and stinging like crazy. i guess my skin just doesn't react to them or something?
You know, you would think that it's a no-brainer when it comes to choosing a wetsuit. Actually it's not.
Some info from my experience over the years.
1. Full steamers result in your calves looking like you developed elephantitis. So beware of getting a full steamer as MOST result in water shooting up the calf and filling it like a balloon. A pair of scissors fixes it though with a couple of hand stitched points at the seams. I do have a thin steamer though, one of those radiator things custom made by Sirocco wetsuits out of Freo. It's ok, but needs to be layered to work well, and the legs needed to be attacked with a pair of scissors...it's a really thin one.
2. Water temperature - this is a biggie, as I found that my preferred wetsuit choice resulted in me freezing my arse off when kiting at Cottesloe, which totally turned me off Perth. Too bloody cold. Of course I could have had another system to keep me warm, but I'm not that well prepared. So it depends on where you do most of your kiting.
So here's what I reckon'
Get a tight fitting springy...wear a tight fitting rashie underneath and that will pretty much do you for three hours in most WA conditions. I find that layering underneath is the key. I have tried the "radiator" type fabric and to be honest, it's a waste of money. Just go a rashie underneath it makes a big difference. Just MY opinion.
Now comes the controversial bit/ Boardies over a wetsuit. Now to start with, I don't give a flying shot what people think of what I wear. If you are paying attention to what I'm wearing and it bothers you then that's YOUR problem, not mine. After all I'm the one making the choice to wear it and I'm not interested in rooting you so please understand I dress for me, not for you.
A wind layer over a wettie, no matter how thin; does make a difference. Don't believe me, try it out. If it doesn't make a difference for you, then just wear your wettie. Either way, you will know what works for YOU. If it doesn't work for you, then please, save your fingers on the keyboard and don't bother to try and enlighten me. As I said before I don't care what you think of what I choose to do. I choose to do what I do, because it works for me.
Hope it helps.
A "springy" is a "short" wetsuit isn't it?
Did I mention I know nothing about wetsuits?
Sorry mate, a springy is short sleeves, like a t-shirt. Short legs, like a pair of shorts.
I wouldn't really be wearing a wettie to keep warm, it takes a lot to make me shiver (I crawled out of bet at 6am every day in winter and cycled to work, yes, even the really cold ones), so a springy sounds ideal. What thickness do they generally come in? Or is it all pretty thin at that end of the scale?
If its any consolation, I remember reading about someone getting a whole lot of jellyfish stingers or bluebottles up his pants, and in the case of this unfortunate guy, his ring started getting itchy so his natural reaction was to scratch it solidly, and in the process mush the stings directly into his anus. He was constipated and in pain for a week after that.
wetsuits are too hot in WA summer and the idea you had about the rashie is a good one... For sun protection i wear a pair or lycra running tights like the footy guys wear at training... these are great for sun protection and on the days that i wear my knee brace it also stops blisters from rubbing...
Rebel sport is where you can get them... they have an online store, pay with visa and get them home delivered...
just had 3 skin cancers removed last week this is why i worry about sun protection... i am only 31 and had my first one removed at 28... so now i keep covered and white all summer!!
happy windy days
Pos
i wear a stinger suit in Darwin because of the Box Jellies we get up here. They're just a full length body suit made out of a rashie type material. Never been hot in it up here, even in 30 degree, 95% humidity. Boardies over the outside of course... they're very revealing
Are stinger suits generally one piece?
I ask because I am still quite new and as such I'm still having my harness ride up a bit, and when it does it drags my rashie up with it.
i wear in summer a long sleeve short leg wetsuit with rashie underneath.wear the rashie because i seem to get a bit of rubing from the wetty and this stops it..never seem to get hot..if wearing long leg and get water up leg..simple way to fix this...can buy for $8 to 11 a pair of velcro strap from bodyboard shop.they use them to hold their fins to feet....or comb the beach after a big swell and you'll find broken leg ropes..use straps..works perfectly..
the future with our water bourne nasties and more sun damage than you can poke a stick at:http://www.stingray.com.au/merchandise/details.asp?productID=252&CatID=5
and the best till last - the see through models :)
www.stingersuits.com/index.php
Im not a boardies wearer over a wetsuit - but if I had to wear one of these I think it would be the ticket... plus a pair of explorer socks 
