Hi,
I have a problem with my wetsuit: ION Amp Seek 6/4 has no neoprene after 14 times of usage (20h roundabout) at the elbows.
Right elbow 100% off, left elbow 80% off.
The wetsuit is now in repair, and I hope they put more robust neoprene there.
In Germany, I heard from many other users having the same problem.
I also looked at my summer wetsuit: Vinc 4/3, and here is the same thing. right elbow 65% off, left 50%.
I used this wetsuit a lot more, and it still looks better, even getting the same problem.
Talking to my local dealer, they don't have these issues, either with their own stuff or with their school stuff.
So it looks like, the other people having the issue, and I, doing something different. But right now we don't have any clue.
I just realized that also my deck pad is way more rubbished than the ones from the school.
Did someone here, have similar issues?
Or did someone have an idea of what could cause the issues?
When windsurfing, I never had any issues with my wetsuits.
Usually, it takes 6 to 8 years after some little things happened.
I have same issue with an ION Seek Select 5/4. I had a few more sessions than you, before I noticed the problem. So far, I have not done anything to solve the issue.
The elbow area of all my wetsuits wear down quickly due to wingfoiling. Much more so than during windsurfing or kitesurfing. Especially since I adopted the Stink Bug starting method, which has become my default wingfoil start.
I had one wetsuit repaired by having both elbow areas replaced by stronger material (similar to what is used for knees, but less thick) and this worked well. It still wears down, but less fast.
I am surprised though that no wetsuit manufacturer is (to my knowledge) offering dedicated wingfoiling wetsuits with reinforced elbows..
Same thing happened to my last wetsuit (and they replaced it under warranty which was cool), so I cut an old wetsuit up to make some elbow sleeves and pull them on each session. There's still some wear from stinkbug starts but not as fast. I'll get around to adding some permanent elbow pads eventually.
Same here. ION replaced without question, my wetsuit when the neoprene around the elbows 'broke down'. The outer and inner nylon stayed perfect but the inner neoprene crumbled.
It's my fault for having boney elbows! and leaning on them when getting the wing over my head to start.
Would it be a good opportunity for a manufacturer to produce a reinforced elbow suit?
Elbow wear since started winging. Climbing onto board a million times might be the cause
Definitely from winging and leaning on the elbow when climbing back.
It does mostly go away once you improve and stop falling (and climbing back on)
Stink bug is the culprit for me. It destroys elbows in suits. Unfortunately it's the most reliable starting method for me on smaller boards. Tear Aid (Amazon) sells material you can iron on the high wear areas to patch or slow down the wear. Dedicated winging wetsuits have to be coming soon. The market's there.
Slightly off topic but no problem with the wearing of my wettie doing the stinkbug start but the handles of my wing (unit) is dinging the crap out of the nose of my board... (crappy gel coat on Cab Micro)
I watched myself during the last session, and yes when I climb up on the board, I lean on my elbows. :( Once my smaller board arrives, let's see if there is a better way to get on the board.
The current one, (Quatro 115l) is too big.
I also realized that my neo has cut around the position of the waist leash.
Which is more strange as I wear an impact vest, the waist leash is around the vest.
but anyways it looks like a wetsuit for wings needs a bit different design, let's see once the manufacturers realize it.
I have this issue as well. Had it happen on two older wetsuits - I thought it was just the material breaking down before I realized what was probably happening.
Bought a couple "ACE Brand Neoprene Elbow Support, Adjustable Brace" for about USD$10-15ea and wear them over my wetsuit. Probably looks a little goofy but it seems to work so far. The only issue is they tend to come undone during a wipeout so they flap around until you have time to re-adjust.
So far it seems to be helping and I figure it's more cost effective to sacrifice a $10 brace than repair a nice wetsuit.
Added bonus - seems to be help a little to keep the minor tennis/golfer's elbow soreness at bay.
Easy fix is to glue more neoprene to the elbows with sikaflex marine 291. Bead around the outside too. Cut circles not squares.
