What wetsuit to bring for diving GBR in Summer?

[divebrasil]

Hi Guys,
I did read lots of messages here about this but there are several opinions. I know the choice of exposure suit is personal and depends on how each persons deals with the cold.
I have many options of suits I can bring, but due to luggage limitations I want to minimize it.
I will be in Cairns between 12/29 and 1/5.
When in Hawaii or Mexico I usually dive with a surf full 3mm/2mm suit. I do have also a 4/3mm surf full suit I could bring. I also have a 3mm vest I could put over the 3/2mm if it was too cold. From what I read, the water during the summer is pretty warm, around 27/30o C (85 F).
What are your thoughts?

Also, I plan to surf around sydney, should a rashguard be enough? Or should I bring a shortie?

Thanks guys

 

[bracko]

I wear a 1mm "sharkskin" L/S rashie style shirt and boardies when diving in the GBR.

the dive boats generally like you wearing ankle to wrist protection as it's stinger season, but it's your choice. I would probably at most take the 2/3 and if you really want to, also take the vest. 4/3 will keep you toasty warm in the water, but you'll be sweating up a storm from the moment you zip up.

as for surfing in summer in sydney, boardies are okay when the sun is out, but Sydney is having a strangely cold summer, so the 2/3 might be useful for surfing as well depending on how much you feel the weather and how long you sit out the back.

watch out for thieves on the sydney beaches as well, just take down $20 and your towel or something and certainly no iPods/phones etc... Christmas time is a popular time for beach thieves.

 

[divebrasil]

Thanks Bracko, that's good advice. I am originally from Brazil so somehow familiar to thievery. What's the style there? They just grab your bag if you not paying attention, or might actually point a knife/gun and ask for your stuff?

As far as wetsuit, I will bring an old 3/2 and the vest. And a rashguard for surfing.

If others have advice, please chime in.

Thanks

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Agree with Bracko. In Cairns the water temp is around 28 deg C (90 deg F) so pretty warm. On the boats we provide 5mm shorties but most just dive with a T-shirt and board shorts to be honest.
Because it’s stinger season lycra body suits are often available, but you would not need a full length suit at all unless you feel the cold. Then use a 3mm steamer.

Sydney is a lot cooler but for surfing again a rash vest and boardies are used, but if you feel the cold use a 3mm shortie. More than this can restrict the movement if you want to surf. 3mm long steamer if really feel the cold!

Wet suits are provided on the boats anyway, so you would not have to worry up here about bringing your own.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Don't miss out on diving in Sydney.. there are some darn good dive sites and unusual critters here. Seems like you already have some good advice on exposure protection. We normally dive in Sharkskins in Sydney summer but we don't tend to feel the cold.. too much bioprene!

 

[bracko]

ha... i probably should have checked the username again when i mentioned about the crime.

rarely you'll be held up in sydney (unless you go to really rough areas) it's more they will wait till you walk into the water then take your bag. This is only prominent in the very popular beaches like manly, bondi and cronulla... arguably there are far better surfing beaches anyway (check out Freshwater + north curl Curl for good north side surfing)

Sydney water temp will be around 21-23 (I haven't been checking the temps as I've moved away from sydney this summer) but I never felt the need for a steamer or shortie in summer, then again i was a fair weather surfer.