Summer Wetsuits
Before we begin, welcome to ONE SURFING CO, the leading French surf brand created in Hossegor, the European surfing capital. We've developed an innovative service and a unique offering for wetsuits. In fact, we are the first to offer monthly or annual subscriptions for surf wetsuits. We design high-quality products using Japanese limestone-based neoprene, which offers the best performance currently available at prices that adapt to your practice. Discover our wetsuit collection by clicking here.
When you think of summer, wetsuits might not immediately come to mind, but they are a real asset for surfers of all levels, as well as for swimming or bathing in the sea.
In this article, we'll explore the benefits of a wetsuit for summer. We'll start by discussing protection against cold, safety, and finally, athletic performance.
Protection against the sensation of cold.
The primary advantage of a surf wetsuit is its protection against cold water. Over the years and with technological advancements, neoprene has become lighter, more flexible, and more comfortable.
Despite warmer water in summer, wind often makes an appearance during beach outings.
As a result, you might swim in water above 20°C but still feel cold…
Simply wearing a wetsuit with 2mm neoprene thickness will keep you warm, allowing you to fully enjoy aquatic activities for an unlimited time. The ocean is an extraordinary playground for bodyboarding, surfing, bodysurfing, paddleboarding, skimboarding, not to mention simply swimming or enjoying the waves. With a summer wetsuit, you'll have ample time to improve in each of these disciplines.
Finally, children are even more susceptible to cold, and a wetsuit will allow them to fully enjoy themselves with friends in the waves.
At ONE SURFING CO, we use Japanese neoprene that retains body heat. Furthermore, all our wetsuits have glued and blind-stitched seams to prevent any water infiltration.
Safety – the wetsuit is your ally.
Let's talk a bit about safety, what are the risks at the beach?
For those who are not very comfortable or have apprehension, a neoprene wetsuit allows effortless floating.
In fact, triathlon swimmers wear wetsuits during the swimming portion, which allows them optimal glide.
The buoyancy is consistent throughout the body. You can lie on your back and breathe calmly. If you get caught by a wave, the neoprene wetsuit will always bring you back to the surface.
The ocean is a magnificent playground, but the risks are sometimes invisible, starting with currents. Having a wetsuit can prove very useful. If we look at the best surfers in the world in competitions in Hawaii or Tahiti, most wear 2/2mm neoprene wetsuits to protect themselves from the reef (and thus from impacts) as well as from UV rays. Let's take inspiration from the best.
UV rays are strong!
There's no better sun protection than a neoprene wetsuit. Surfers who spend hours and hours in the water are well aware of this; they only apply sunscreen to their faces.
Not only are UV rays powerful, but in the water, there's also the phenomenon of reverberation, which amplifies the sun's intensity.
Whether you're a surfer or engage in other aquatic disciplines, if you spend hours in the water, it's wise to wear a 2/2mm wetsuit. You'll maintain performance with flexible and lightweight neoprene while being protected from UV rays.
If you usually stay exposed to the sun in the water for a long time, the same applies.
Finally, for children, they can fully enjoy the beach without having to slather their bodies with sunscreen every 30 minutes and wait before being able to go back into the water.
It is strictly impossible to get a sunburn on the body if it is protected by a neoprene wetsuit. It is even more effective than a rash guard.
Finally, let's talk a bit about impacts in terms of safety: neoprene will be the first layer before reaching your skin. A rock, a surfboard, a jellyfish or anything else, the surf wetsuit will protect you. It can help minimize an injury. You can think of a neoprene wetsuit like a biker's jacket. It protects and minimizes risks in case of an accident.
To conclude on this safety section, the summer neoprene wetsuit, often called a 2/2mm suit, is an excellent means of protection against UV rays and impacts, with optimal buoyancy in case of exhaustion…
Performance for full enjoyment.
Finally, let's talk a bit about performance for surfers and all other water sports such as bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, bodysurfing, foiling, and so on.
Wearing a summer surf wetsuit is probably a reflex, but performance is an integral part of choosing a neoprene wetsuit.
What are we looking for in summer?
- Lightness. In winter, a surf wetsuit is a real weight… every surfer dreams of summer to practice lightly! So if even in warm water, surfers have this feeling of heaviness, there's no point.
- Flexibility. Surfing and other water sports require freedom of movement to optimize performance. Therefore, having no restrictions during practice is paramount.
- Comfort. No irritation, a wetsuit that fits well and is suited for the activity. Putting on a surf wetsuit in summer means staying for hours without having to worry about UV rays, so it must be comfortable.
So for those looking for performance in summer, it's essential to have a quality neoprene wetsuit to spend hours in the water and constantly improve.
There are different types of 2/2mm wetsuits:
- Full suit, meaning it covers the entire body.
- Short sleeve and long leg.
- Long sleeve and short leg.
- Shorty, meaning short sleeves and short legs.
Well, there might be a bit of style involved… because YES, a surfer has a reputation to uphold…
Next, the full suit allows you to enjoy the benefits of a 2/2mm in cooler water, from 18-19°C depending on external conditions.
As for the 2/2mm short sleeve and long leg, it's ideal when it's very hot outside but the water is a bit cooler. Plus, it protects the knees, which can be prone to irritation from the surfboard's deck pad.
For the 2/2mm long sleeve and short leg, it's perfect when the north wind is present and can potentially counteract the sensation of cold on the upper body.
Finally, the 2/2mm shorty is often less expensive and offers greater freedom of movement because there are fewer neoprene restrictions. However, it provides less protection from the sun and irritation…
So with all this information, what is the ideal summer surf wetsuit for you?
If you don't have a big budget, the 2/2mm shorty is the perfect solution. However, only a small part of the body is covered by neoprene. Therefore, UV and impact protection, as well as buoyancy, are less effective.
If you prioritize freedom of movement for the upper body, you can opt for the 2/2mm short sleeve and long leg.
The area where you practice has a lot of wind despite temperate or even warm water. The 2/2mm long sleeve is ideal.
Finally, if you practice in cooler water but still want to lighten up with better flexibility than in winter, you should go for the full suit. This will also allow you to enjoy sessions in May-June and September-October, a real luxury!
So you have all the necessary information to choose your summer wetsuit.
At ONE SURFING CO, we opted for the 2/2mm short sleeve and long leg wetsuit. We are first and foremost surfers, and we want to optimize freedom of movement in the upper body.
Furthermore, we chose Japanese neoprene, which currently offers the best performance. The cherry on top is that it's eco-friendly because we replace petrochemical products with limestone.
Finally, our wetsuits have a unique design with a white sleeve (very classy) and the logo proudly displayed on the shoulder.
Discover our collection of surf wetsuits by clicking here. We are offering a 30% discount on our 2/2mm suits, click here.
Thank you and happy surfing!
