that wetsuit discussion...

[ajohnsen]

AJ! ..(Prolly gone to bed, but)...you not happy with the Buell?
(pop up for a coffee if your skint tomorrow

Skip, went to bed early but didn't fcuking get to sleep until half three! If any of those little Aspies at work get all Aspy on me, look out.

Very disappointed with the Buell. Really comfy and all, but second season in its leaking like an eighty year old woman who has given birth to ten kids.

Reckon I'll see you for a coffee. Thanks.

[buzzy]

I've just ordered myself a new Rip Curl Dawn Patrol GBS steamer on ebay. I have a (then) new fangled Rip Curl F-bomb, and bought a new Patagonia R2 at the start of winter to replace a worn out old Rip Curl Dawn Patrol. The chest zip on the F-bomb just ripped out so I was contemplating surfing justy the Patagonia for a few weeks and just couldn't do it.

Now no doubt the F-bomb and Patagonia are less leaky than the basic Dawn Patrol. But compared to the F-bomb the Dawn Patrol is infinitely easier to get in and particularly out of - I feel like I'm exiting a straight jacket in the F-bomb. And the Patagonia, while bomb proof, non-leaky and warm as toast, paddles like you're paddling in a straight jacket. Ok, exaggeration on both counts but they're the downsides.

Except on the very coldest days the dawn patrol is emminently serviceable. I can get into it at dawn in a few seconds and out of it in a few seconds too. It paddles pretty well - slightly worse than the F-bomb but miles ahead of the Patagonia. I have a two wetty set up because I hate getting into still wet wetties, and a Dawn Patrol is now permanently in the roster - its a perfect all rounder for Sydney.

[crabmeat thompson]

I've never had a problem with ripcurl. This is my 2nd billabong. Never got a full season out of either.

... $600.00 later.

.

You spent $600 on a Bong SS Steamer ??
The Bong clearence store has bong and Excell SS steamers for $150

600 all up on two wetties ...

[daryl]

I've never had a problem with ripcurl. This is my 2nd billabong. Never got a full season out of either.

... $600.00 later.

.

You spent $600 on a Bong SS Steamer ??
The Bong clearence store has bong and Excell SS steamers for $150

600 all up on two wetties ...

Good luck.

Is this the needed dedication perhaps.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[crabmeat thompson]

Has a tone ever got more than a season outta a 2mm wettie?

[alakaboo]

You mean a steamer, I assume?
I've got a 2mm springsuit on about it's third season, maybe 4th.

[crabmeat thompson]

Yeah a steamer. Really, 3-4 seasons? Is it leaking to bits?

Jeez my last post is a clusterfcuk of the queens english. There you go iPhone auto correct, another sterling job.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[OddaP]

I had long sleeved Oneill Gooru SS lasted 4 and have s 2mm short sleeve Xcel steamer rolling into 3rd. Sealed 3/2 steamer go 2 seasons max.

[Beanpole]

That's why I originally got one from the US. Stuffed if I was going to pay heaps for something that was only going to last one year max.
This ended up with me buying one as well. Only last one year.

He's now bigger than me.

[damo666]

Son has finally decided he is keen to get out there a bit more, he lasted an hour last weekend in shorts, it's not that cold around Sydney yet, but the wind will be a factor soon. Anyone got any experiences with absolute bottom of the range steamers for 12 year old boys? He can't really stand up to well yet, will only be here every second weekend and getting out there will very much depend on conditions. I don't expect him to wear it much before he grows out of it so wont be forking out $300 for a name brand.

Matticus,

Yep - my little blokes wear cheap sh*t steamers for the same reason, they are growing so quickly they'd need a new one every 6 months! You can usually pick up second hand ones for $20 or so...

Most are not too bad. As we are on the Sth Coast, if they get too cold they start wearing a springsuit underneath!

[The Mighty Sunbird]

Target has cheap kid's wetsuits

[Beanpole]

Anaconda and KMart now sell wetsuits.

[Jakaul]

Isurus.

I seriously got one, it arrived today. Its the 232 Elite rated 13 to17 degrees.
Instead of contributing to a multinational congrobulation I thought I give a company that's owned and run by surfers some support. They've researched and put a bit into developing a wettie that uses new technologies from triathlon (yamamotto rubber) and compression wear. Pity they're seppos, but they do sound pretty hard core coming from around the Mavericks area. Would have loved to bought Aussie but...

Check out http://www.surfisurus.com/

No I'm not sponsored by them but just see quality functional wettie.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[ajohnsen]

Yeah, all the buttery, blind-stitching etc. etc. sounds great in all these wetties, but I want to see reviews after a couple of seasons.

[tootr]

A heads up for those considering a Patagonia but terrified of the price. The sydney CBD store has a bunch of wetsuits 20% to 40% off.

Scored a R2 steamer for $390, ie cheaper than USA prices....