Wetsuit intended for surfers

[Session Eleven]

A website I frequent (Whiskey Militia for those interested) offers discounts on overstocked clothing and gear, generally targeted towards extreme sports participants. Occasionally, wetsuits come up that are intended for surfers.

Are there any features unique to SCUBA wetsuits that would make such products inappropriate, or is a wetsuit more or less a wetsuit?

Note: Whiskey Militia rotates their offering about 30 minutes, so you're unlikely to see the item in question. I found the specific suit in question on another site so people can take a look.

Thanks!

 

[Marquito]

My understanding is that wetsuits intended for surface sports compress more at depth than scuba focused wetsuits would, hence decreasing their insulating effects. To what degree the differences are, I have no idea. Someone with more knowledge on the subject might weigh in.

Does this mean you can't use a surfing wetsuit? Not necessarily, just depends on the environmental conditions you will be diving in as I imagine it would at least keep you warmer than no wetsuit at all!

 

[g1138]

My 4/3 multi-sport wetsuit is now pretty much a 3/2mm due to taking it down to 80ft dives for a month.

Non-scuba wetsuits use a neoprene that's not very resiliant. In the sense that it will compress at depth but stay that way even upon surfacing. You essentially crush the neoprene and loose the insulating properties you had when it was brand new.
Scuba wetsuits are designed for the compression and re-expansion that occur during depth changes.

Specifically speaking of surf wetsuits, their limbs and "sockets" generally are constructed differently as opposed to scuba wetsuits; it allows for more flexibility and range of limb movement that a surfer would require. At the 3/2, 4/3mm thickness you won't really notice the difference.

If you're doing recreational dives in 80F waters and wearing a 3/2mm or 4/3mm then it might not make a very big difference what type of suit you wear. Just keep in mind that you'll lose some thermal properties with a surf suit if you dive with it. Non-scuba suits aren't meant to be submerged at depths.

 

[koozemani]

I bought one of the full 3mm off steep and cheap (sister site). For the price I couldn't go wrong, even if it does compress down to nothing more than a skin. To add a bit to the other replies, they also don't hold up to abrasions as well. For what WM or S&C are charging for the 3/2s, buy one to use as a skin for warm water, still cheaper than a skin.

 

[Session Eleven]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It sounds like a screamin' deal might be worth picking up for warmer water stuff.

 

[Rhone Man]

Just for another point of view - I always TRY to buy surfing wetsuits. I find they flush less, and the chest padding makes them better for wrestling lobsters.

 

[Searcaigh]

Just for another point of view - I always TRY to buy surfing wetsuits. I find they flush less, and the chest padding makes them better for wrestling lobsters.

You do realise that with this statement you have now instigated a new PADI speciality .......... Lobster Wrestling

 

[aquaregia]

I wish I could find that "Criminal Trespass Diver" PADI card someone from SB 'shopped last year.

 

[ScubabunnyCR]

I have used a couple of "surf" suits in the past as a 3/2/ Apart from what seemed like extra knee and chest padding they were much the same as any3/2 scuba I've had before.