Interest in Full Wet Suits Rises as Water Temperatures Drop

Last week’s late-season, Southern Hemisphere swell created head-high waves at Orange County’s best spots. It also brought in colder water, signaling this month’s arrival of winter.

“It’s definitely full-body wet-suit time, “ said Rockin’ Fig.

Yo, Fig, with water temps 60 to 62 and threatening to go lower, what’s the latest in cold water gear?

The new feature in wet suits is “O” rings. Everybody’s puttin’ O-ring seals in the neck, ankle and wrist holes. It’s to tighten ‘em up with a real thick rubber seal.

What colors are hot, Fig?

They’re staying away from the bright fluorescents and neon of the ‘70s and ‘80s and getting into subdued stuff like dark greens, burgundy and blue. Probably the most popular suit this year, though, is black on black.

Last year, one wet-suit manufacturer marketed a suit with metal flakes. While the outside remained the same neoprene, the inner fabric was Micro Flake neoprene designed by Yamamoto Corp. According to its advertising: “When the body temperature reaches 98.6 degrees, the lining manages to retain that heat and reflects any excess heat right to the body.”

Yeah, Body Glove started it, but this year other manufacturers, like Victory and Quiksilver, came out with their own titanium suits. It’s been in dive suits for a long time, but manufacturers were hesitant to introduce them to surfing because they would be really expensive--from about $250 to $300. But everybody likes ‘em and is getting stoked on that extra warmth.

What should surfers look for, Fig?

How seams are made is pretty critical. Take your basic wet suit. It uses an overlock seam that’s sewn on the outside, with a thick stitch on the inside of the wet suit providing a good strong seam, though it leaks. But it’s the cheapest way to make a suit. Cost is from $100 to $150.

Next is a blind-stitched suit.

This is where it’s glued on the inside, then stitched, forming a pretty watertight seam and, of course, comfort, because there’s no little ridge rubbing away at your armpits. Cost: $175-$225.

Top-of-the-line wet suits are next.

Seams are glued and blind-stitched on both the inside and outside. To provide a smooth surface, the inside stitch is then TAPED, making it not only comfortable but totally airtight. Cost: $250-$300.

What do customers say about the new, high-tech wet suits?

People are preferring to go thinner because they weigh less and offer more flexibility. Instead of a three-millimeter thick suit, everybody’s thinking two mil, because of the lightness--more flexibility, less tiring. Instead of staying out there for two hours, you stay out there for four hours!

Also, Fig, maybe it’s not a bad idea to try on a bunch of wet suits and see what fits them best.

And let’s not forget custom suits. I’ve ordered one from Mark Kettenhofen in Orange because off-the-rack suits don’t cut it for me. I’m an extra large in the shoulders and chest, but at only 5 foot 9, the neoprene in the legs goes down another foot. Usually, they cut off the excess at the bottom, leaving the knee patches hanging near my ankles.

Customizers don’t have high-tech suits but offer good fit and neoprene with glued and stitched seams. Cost ranges from $150 to $250.

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Contests: Though an Islander won it, O.C. surfers made a decent showing last week at the Oxbow Longboard World Championships at Hawaii’s North Shore, where it was six- to eight-foot at Haleiwa. Hawaii’s Rusty Kealana took first with Glen Winton second. In third was Robbie Bain, then Alex Salazar (fourth), Gary Elkerton and Bongo Perkins (tied for fifth), Joey Hawkins of Huntington Beach and Tony Moniz (tied for seventh). Tied for 10th were San Clemente’s Israel Paskowitz and Seal Beach’s Marty Thomas. In 13th was San Clemente lifeguard Jeff Kramer.

Next up on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals tour is the Hard Rock Cafe World Cup from Dec. 7-17 at Sunset Beach, Hawaii. For amateurs, it’s the U.S. Surfing Federation regional in Santa Cruz this weekend. Fig’s going up to protect his No. 1 rating in the Senior Men’s division.

Launched: Doug Bunting’s Toes on the Nose surf shop has been open four weeks. Bunting, a master marketer, has already stocked the shop with classic long boards worth a look. The shop is at 301 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Forecast: Another Southern Hemisphere swell can produce shoulder- to head-high waves, possibly bringing more of the same conditions as Super Monday (Nov. 29), when Orange County breaks were on fire, said Surfline/Wavetrak. Also, look for some offshore winds for the weekend.