BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi,
I'm a beginner and am going to buy a wetsuit to kite in the Bay. What would be the right thickness of the suit. Any brands work particularly well here?

Thanks,
-Alex

a 4/3 is what most people have. You can use it during the winter/spring/early summer all over the bay and in the ocean. Then by mid summer, some of the more inland spots (3rd Ave, Alameda, Rio), the water gets warmer and you can go with a shorty.

My advice, get a cheap surfing wetsuit (4/3). Then in the summer time, if you are getting too hot with the full suit, then buy a shorty. You can get a great shorty for $30 at Costco.

IMO, there isn't a good kitesurfing specific wetsuit out there, no matter what brand you buy. They all let water in just the same, the cheap ones, as well as the expensive ones. Just get one that fits right, is comfortable and is easy to get in and out of.

Big Al wrote:a 4/3 is what most people have. You can use it during the winter/spring/early summer all over the bay and in the ocean. Then by mid summer, some of the more inland spots (3rd Ave, Alameda, Rio), the water gets warmer and you can go with a shorty.

My advice, get a cheap surfing wetsuit (4/3). Then in the summer time, if you are getting too hot with the full suit, then buy a shorty. You can get a great shorty for $30 at Costco.

IMO, there isn't a good kitesurfing specific wetsuit out there, no matter what brand you buy. They all let water in just the same, the cheap ones, as well as the expensive ones. Just get one that fits right, is comfortable and is easy to get in and out of.

Sorry but I have to disagree with you about all wetsuits being the same. On Friday I tried my regular Oneil wetsuit at Sherman and when I stopped in the middle of the river for a rest COLD water rushed in through all the seams. On Saturday I wore my Gul wetsuit with welded seams and when my kite went dowm hardly any water got in the suit and I stayed nice and warm. Problem was I was getting too hot with the sun out.

Wetsuits are not created equal. My NP does not let water in. Maybe a couple of inches on the legs and wrists, but that's it. The only liquid inside is sweat. Surf wetsuite assume that you are in the water all the time and actually wet inside the suite, so they do not seal as well.

A 4/3 is good choice - even in summer kiting in the Bay can be cold. ok - I am a woman and like it really cozy....so I looked for a wetsuit which would keep me really warm and it took a few experiments to find the right stuff.

I found Promotion wetsuits, their seams are not just stitched but also glued and taped. They are holding now the 3rd season and look and behave like new. They claim to make them specifically for Windsports (kiting and windsurfing), so the chest/belly area is a very smooth material for example. I have a 4/3 and in winter I put a hodded Neoprenvest on top.

My boyfriend however - who is more cold resistant - trunks :shock: it in the summer (when I wear the 4/3) and has a top of the line NP 5/3 for the colder days and says he never will buy a cheap wetsuit again.

I've owned well over 20 wetsuits - for wsurfing and kiting. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

Cheap suits - last 1 year or less, breakdown easier, rip easier, difficult on/off (which sucks when you are in a rush or cold after a session), don't keep you as warm.

High end suits - last >1 year, dont decompose as fast, fit much better, easy on/off, keep you nice and warm.

I recommend a good 4/3, and save $ on the shorty. Don't wear a shorty in the bay - hypothermia is not ccol at al. Even when it's warm when you are rigging on the beach, swimming in bay water after a break down can be deadly.

Good winds, Z.

do you have any brand recommendations?

Something else to consider for a full suit is how the ankles are constructed. Some suits have a type of drainage system or straps to tighten the cuffs.

I have a decent wetsuit (I think it is intended for surfing), but it likes to turn into bell bottoms when water starts shooting up.

Max - my personal favorite is O'niell and ProLimit. You will pay around $300 for a good suit. Fit is most important part - not too tight/loose.

Shopping tip: do it when it's cold out so that you don't sweat too much. Also, apply baby powder to your body before you put on the suit - makes for easier on/off in the shop. You may get a few funny looks though.....

The water in the calfs/michelin man/bell bottoms look can be managed with:
duct tape around suit/ankle
some suits have velcro tape in same area

This most commonly happens w/surf suits, as they are not designed for the rider to be going fast for a long period of time w/water splashing from the bottom. Most wave rides are a few seconds long.

Z.

I don't use the straps around the ankles because I like the cankle look.