Salty Sessions with John Henderson
When picking a wetsuit, there are three things to decide: style, thickness, and zip type. For style, springsuits have either long or short arms and short legs, and steamers have long arms and long legs.
If you feel the cold, go for a steamer. I find the 3/2 thickness is fine for the Sunny Coast. This means the rubber is 3mm thick on the chest and back, and 2mm thick on the arms and legs.
A 2/2 springsuit is usually fine for Caloundra, where the water temp is rarely below 18 degrees.
Around here, the main benefit of a wetsuit is not so much for the cold water, but to reduce the wind chill on your back and chest.
Zip options are zipless, front, or back zip. I prefer back zips—they’re easier to get in and out of, and usually cheaper.
If you want to get into surfing, my best advice is to have a lesson with an experienced surf coach. Talk to Russell at North Caloundra Surf School (0411 221 73), or John at Caloundra Surf School (0413 381 010).
Aloha from John
caloundrasurfschool.com.au
