Hi there,
Any advice for wetsuits in winter? I live in Sydney and might go south a couple of hours drive so was thinking a 2/3mm wetsuit would be suitable although I do feel the cold? Anything else to consider specific to windsurfing? Good cheap places to buy?
Also I came across a shark visual deterrent technology developed in Perth that looks interesting.
radiator.net/collections/shark-deterrent-surf-range
We're generally not in the water for very long but I do need to learn how to waterstart 
Thanks!
Andrew
needessentials.com/products/3-2-chest-zip
Quick delivery, well made and good pricing - def worth a look and you wont look like a freakin striped circus clown
Windsurf specific
www.severnesails.com/wetsuit/severne-primo
Aside... this was interesting: needessentials.com/pages/temp-chart
It doesn't take into account wind-chill...
Melbourne can easily remove 5-10 degrees from the air-temp due to the wind coming from the Southern Ocean.
Similar for other areas.
Building on Mathew's comment, I find that sailing/kayaking spray jackets make a massive improvement to warmth due to the reduction in wind chill. If youre not constantly in the drink, I would rate a spray jacket higher than increasing wetsuit thickness (of course, do both and you will be really toasty!)
I heard Dr Surf on 3RRR talking about needessentials and he said the wetsuits were excellent.
Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
Building on Mathew's comment, I find that sailing/kayaking spray jackets make a massive improvement to warmth due to the reduction in wind chill. If youre not constantly in the drink, I would rate a spray jacket higher than increasing wetsuit thickness (of course, do both and you will be really toasty!)
So that's why kiters wear their boardies over the top of wetsuits.
I got a Gull steamer from England (big name brand over there) on ebay dirt cheap and $12 delivery and only took 7 days. Back zip (my preference) 4,3mm titanium mesh neoprene, super stretchy, comfy and warm. Would only qualify as a spring suit over there but perfect for a Perth winter.
Select to expand quotemathew said..
Aside... this was interesting: needessentials.com/pages/temp-chart
It doesn't take into account wind-chill...
Melbourne can easily remove 5-10 degrees from the air-temp due to the wind coming from the Southern Ocean.
Similar for other areas.
I think that's general knowledge to anyone that partakes in winter water activities!
Thats when you put on ya 4/3 , have a cup of concrete and get the **** on with it - if its too cold with the wind chill factor best to head inside for a cup of tea and some needle point 
I've just been looking at winter Windsurfing wetsuits myself. Considering locally available brands such as Ion, Flying OBjects and Severne.
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. I'm tall (more in legs) and have square wide shoulders which seem to be a difficult combination to fit. I always regret ordering clothes on line, so I wouldn't consider a wetsuit without trying first.
ANy thought welcome.
Wearing boots makes a big difference.
A cheaper solution than buying a 4/3 is to wear a 1mm rashie inside a 3/2
Select to expand quoteWaiting4wind said..
...
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. ....
ANy thought welcome.
There is a surf shop on Pittwater road in the same block as Windsurf'n snow, they have a lot of stock and they made me try them out.
I am ready to pay 50% extra for ankle zippers and a front zipper ! (down below...)
The chill factor only comes when you get out of the water for a break, that is the time to wear a nice wind jacket and booties
RipCurl flashbomb 3/2 highly recommend!!
worth trying what ever you buy on as others have suggested
Select to expand quoteWaiting4wind said..
I've just been looking at winter Windsurfing wetsuits myself. Considering locally available brands such as Ion, Flying OBjects and Severne.
I think that correct fit is very important, but unfortunately no one (in Sydney at least) has a range of stock on hand to try out. I'm tall (more in legs) and have square wide shoulders which seem to be a difficult combination to fit. I always regret ordering clothes on line, so I wouldn't consider a wetsuit without trying first.
ANy thought welcome.
Have you thought about getting separate top and bottoms? Otherwise these people can do custom sizes
www.seatec.com.au/how-to-measure/
anchorwetsuits.com.au/about-us/
But they're in Tasmania
If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]
So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.
Select to expand quotemathew said..
If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]
So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.
AFAIK, Sydney's water temp doesn't drop below 17.
Select to expand quoteFaff said..mathew said..
If you are cold, more rubber is better... there is no other way around it. [ That statement could be construed in a number of ways... ]
So, wear your winter wetsuit - if you are still cold, put your summer wetsuit over the top... for some 5-7mm of core coverage.
AFAIK, Sydney's water temp doesn't drop below 17.
It gets to 11 degrees or less if you sail the lakes..
I'm just going through getting a new suit..
I had a Neil Pryde Serene 3/4/5mm that has been great for the last 6 years..unfortunately it split below the armpit and although I glued it at the end of last season it came apart first go..still I think 6 years of heavy use is good value.. I could have got it repaired but it is starting to lose a little bit of flex so I thought a new one would be best.
I was just going to get another but I was told they only make to order now and there is a 6 month wait! 
Ordered an Ion in a similar style - semi dry - 4/5mm/ ankle velcro closures/ wind resistant rubber etc . I couldn't get as large as I'd like ..
so I'll have to try and see.
They must think all old ducks stay at home in winter and knit. grr
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
I was just going to get another but I was told they only make to order now and there is a 6 month wait!
Sounds similar to if you live in AUS and you want to buy a new NP sail 
I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.
Select to expand quoteBSN101 said..
I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.
What's the advantage of a front zip wettie? I've been told they are really hard to get into?
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..BSN101 said..
I like the long legs and short arms with a thin wetsuit rashie under. I don't suffer fore arm pump and super Flexi while out. Choose your own thickness and an additional spray jacket for wind chill is a sound idea too.
Severne has exactly these but I hacked an old wettie to be short sleeves.
My new wettie is front zip and worked real well on last session.
What's the advantage of a front zip wettie? I've been told they are really hard to get into?
Maybe a little harder but still ok.
Better seal around the neck so less water coming into the suit that way. Water pools at my ankles so I have a small drain hole there for it to release and not give me elephant ankles.
I wear a neo rashie when it's colder and my WWA rashie all other times
Sue I bought the Ion womens amp 4/3 suit with a back zip last winter, I find it slightly harder to do up as it has a neck seal that you need to pull up your back and over your head before doing up the zip, whereas my 3/2 suit with chest zip is quite easy to get into and pull over head from the side, once you've done it a couple of times its straight forward, and the chest zip is definitely warmer than a 3/2 suit I had previously with a back zip.
I got one of the first Severne steamers with a back zip 3:2 for Perth a while ago maybe 2 yrs, great wetsuit, what I like most is the loose fit arms. No more cramps after a few hours winter sailing. None.
What's great about chest zips:
a) The zip unlikely to get stuck. Happened to me twice with a back zip and with nobody around to help... and me busting for a... That's 2 wrecked wetsuits.
b) A lot less water flushing down your neck (if at all).
c) You can open the zip to let water in when you start overheating.
I bought a 5mm wetsuit to be used in the chilly alpine lakes in the summer. Unfortunately I bought a back zip one: big mistake! Every time I try a waterstart, a half liter of icy water, directly from a glacier, flows through the neck opening, and my thoughts go to the mother of the guy who designed it. Couldn't she have an headache, that night?
To resume: buy a chest zip one. They are a bit more difficult to wear, but fit their purpose of keeping you warm.
