Hi, I practice downwind in French Brittany and need to purchase my first wetsuit for winter 58-65F.
I like Patagonia but hesitate between a full R1 wetsuit 3/2.5 or a the Long john 2mm + the neo jacket 1.5.
I need your advices.
Downwinding gets cold more than wet, I would go a long john with a windproof vest, leaving the arms free. As you dont need to hop on and off reguarly you can get a much more non flexible wetsuit. How cold is the water?
Hi ActuelVirtuel
In Portugal (a little bit warmer than Britanny) we usually wear 4/3 wetsuits during winter downwinds. One of the worst things during a DW is starting to get cold and since you have to endure until your final destination if you get too cold your performance will be worse (shivering, falling constantly, feeling exhausted). If you get too warm on a 4/3 just take a dive and get back on the board.
Its pretty warm up in nsw australia, I wear warmer rash shirt and fleeced neoprene pants.
