Okay so i'm curious on what everyone else does.

I surf in a steamer in winter and boardies in summer, maybe a wetsuit rashie but its this time of year that i always struggle with, which one to use?

Early mornings is easy steamer but by 8.30 I'm sweating

So the obvious choice is a short arms and legs but that's just one more bit of kit. Is that the choice of most and if so any tips

It might be stupid question but what the hell, its quiet in hear. Ive never used a spring suit ever

As everyone seams to know by now, I don't like wetsuits. I did have a full length 3x2 up until December 2011 which finally blew out. I went a year without replacing it and happily surfed in boardies all year.

But the time finally came at the end of last year where I had to get another one.

Just got a 2mm, long legged, short sleeved chest zip wettie from Billabong and have no regrets and plan on using it throughout the winter. As much as I miss having the sun on my bare back it's nice to have skin on my chest and to not be shivering after 4 hours in the water.

Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

4 hours on a stormy day in midwinter in boardies? Yeah.

The theory goes at this time of year the water's still warm but the air gets cold, so you go short legs, long arms. In spring it's the opposite - as the air warms up but the water's still cold you wear short arms, long legs. If you can't afford these two alternatives you can make them from old steamers.

I wear a springy through summer because I have hair on my chest and stomach and it's incompatible with wax. Also boardies mean I wax my inner thighs. I've got hair on my legs too so while I do wear boardies (with a rash vest) occasionally, it can cause rash and ripped hairs. Depends on the day, but I usually surf in inclement weather so a springy's alright even on the hottest days.

Legion said...
Oh no! How are we going to recognise suba now?!

Just look for the best surfer out there. Simply enough

I know who the best surfers are out at "your local". Several of them were out at another local spot on Tuesday afternoon, although quite a few of the winter crew from "your local" weren't. I wonder which one of the best surfers is you ... you're not MDC, and he's pretty regularly the best out. There are a couple of other guys you're also not. Not going to name names, but they dominate (mainly because they surf there every day due to work circumstances).

I'm just curious, since you first mentioned the non-wetsuit thing I always look out for suba but there aren't many people without wetsuits except backpackers.

I know who most of the local crew are, around your age. I just don't know who suba is.

People recognise me in the water somehow. Sometimes they even say g'day, eh doggie. newguy said he saw me once. I know who a few internet people are, see them sometimes.

I'll see u at the footy jb

Rod, just do like you do in winter.

Stick with the boardies and rashie but if you get cold just urinate all over yourself.

Mark _australia said...
Rod, just do like you do in winter.

Stick with the boardies and rashie but if you get cold just urinate all over yourself.

I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

try one of the original Oneill Short Johns... the top half is all rubber neo so it kills a lot of wind chill and its all GBS so its a bit warmer than some others. i got one last year and i love it. its nice not to have rubber over your arms when your paddling...

there is a pic of one...

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otherwise anything which is a rubber only top half makes the windchill a lot better.

You will have less people dropping in on you if you get yourself something like this !

Smicko may have put this on this morning
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr stiff easterly

After nearly getting stuck in my wetsuit this morning ( farking shoulder) i want to get a springy today, or tomorrow if i have too

Xcel Infinity comp x-zip 2 mm for $185 on line..The only other suit found was Ripcurl Ebomb pro for $300..

The shops I've checked with have sent most of the stock back

Any last minute suggestions..

jbshack said..


I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

Now come on JB... We all know there are only two types of surfers... Those who piss in their suit and those who say that they don't.


For all you guys with the chest pubes... I'm in the same boat. Coming from Vicco I tend to be fully suited most of the time but when I travel up the coast I surf boardies only. I can't say I have ever had a problem with hair/wax incompatibility. Those into hair removal generally use hot wax so I don't understand how the hard stuff on your board can cause so much trouble.

Besides... If you get really keen you could lie on in backwards and work on the full Back, Crack and Sack. May need less than boardies for that one though so do it on a beach I'm not at.

Souwester said..

doggie said..
Short jon with a 1mm wettie top underneath.

Spot on mate, thats what I was in this morning, yes was a bit cold for about 30 min then bewdiful!

Refreshing not to be in a steamer!

I might get a spring suit soon, the Oneils look good.

chrispy said..

Mahanumah said...

jbshack said..


I'm surfing in a Excel 3/2 and i have re taught myself not to piss in my suit..

Now come on JB... We all know there are only two types of surfers... Those who piss in their suit and those who say that they don't.


For all you guys with the chest pubes... I'm in the same boat. Coming from Vicco I tend to be fully suited most of the time but when I travel up the coast I surf boardies only. I can't say I have ever had a problem with hair/wax incompatibility. Those into hair removal generally use hot wax so I don't understand how the hard stuff on your board can cause so much trouble.

Besides... If you get really keen you could lie on in backwards and work on the full Back, Crack and Sack. May need less than boardies for that one though so do it on a beach I'm not at.

A+ response

When i first got it i pissed in it. Its stays there for ages so no i actually need to really be busting to piss in it..This morning i was out of practise and pissed in it a few times But its getting older.