Let me know exactly what you'd like in a SUP wetsuit...
I have a meeting later this week with some top decision makers from a major international wetsuit company.
This brand is (thankfully) seriously considering launching a line for standup paddlers. (It's about time a wetsuit company stopped worrying about it's image with surfers and supported us.)
The product will certainly be high quality... The question is... what features do paddlers want/need in their wetsuits that differentiate this suit from a surfing suit?
Let me know... I will get your ideas to the meeting.
Your help will get us as paddlers closer to having the ultimate suit for SUP... not just a suit for surfing.
Thanks,
Big Seppo
Full disclosure: I do not work for this brand. They simply know me as a hardcore standup paddler, so they asked for my input, and have invited me to this meeting. They don't officially call me a teamrider (they don't have any official SUP teamriders yet). But they do sell me their surfing wetsuits at significantly discounted price.
I can't share the company's name yet. But I will as soon as I am allowed to.
How about front zips for easy cooling / ventilation .
Detachable armpit to wrist to ankle wings for down wind flying .
Cheers
No need for a wetsuit in Perth north just shark guard ,
If anything like a radiator type thin Would be my call
Down south may be a bit different
Megan Gale.
edit:
seriously though, for winter in Melb
this
http://www.quiksilver.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11492628&cp=11682166
plus this:
but in lighter neo
www.thepaddlecompany.co.nz/products.php?p_id=34
and for Warwick, this:
and this:
A couple thoughts I have...
-Significantly thinner material in the shoulders and arms.
We spend 95%+ of our paddling OUT of the cold water. For racers, it's more like 99.9%. So instead of a 3/2 wetsuit or a 4/3 wetsuit, you could have lightweight 1mm arms and shoulders.
-A legitimate windblocking material through the torso / core area.
A wetsuit is designed to use your body heat to warm the water in your wetsuit to keep your body warm. But what if your suit is relatively dry while paddling? You get cold. We are not in the water as much as surfers. This needs to be taken into account.
-Possibly somewhere to carry some water to drink.
Racers need it more than me. But I actually bring water with me on those 4-hour surf sessions where I'm a kilometer away from land. It allows me to go an extra hour.
Other thoughts?
gold coast/tweed cold days( because we are soft)-some good leggings for dw ing- pretty thin i would think.
there is not to many days like this thou
I like the quicksilver jacket haven't seen one in the shops yet but will be buying one when they come in, will also be many as a rigging jacket when its winter.
More smooth skin outer surface (because we're standing up in the wind a lot getting cold).
Somewhere to attach the paddle when swimming after your board.
Something that is easy for the older gent to get in and out of.
I am way too inflexable and old for the gymnastics required to get in and out of any long sleeved and long legged wettie.[}:)]
Very embarrassing cramping up and wimpering in the carpark.
Jason
Hey Big seppo , you have been strangely silent about my idea for detachable wings on the new suit !
when these appear on anyone's new wetsuit , just PM me and I'll give you the bank details to send the big fat cheques to
Back to the designs
I have a few ideas
Maybe add a compartment to stash your yoga mat
A scabbard for your paddle would come in handy
Maybe a megaphone holder as this will probably be the latest sup accessory
(think oil tankers coming into the harbor)
And as previously mentioned the shorts over the wetsuit look
Put me down for the sleek jersey and bib set
And the splat jersey and bib set for weekends
The street sup people will be jealous
Thanks for all these well thought out replies. I knew I could count on the Aussie paddle crowd to come through.
Here's a mockup of what you asked for. Can't wait to get shacked wearing this...
I apologize that I couldn't include all the innovations in this first mockup... Just too many solid ideas.
I'm sure the guys at the wetsuit company will be stoked with this solid Aussie input, and have many more questions for you (Like... Spikes or no spikes on the gimp mask?)
Please keep 'em coming...
Don't forget solar panels in the shoulders, they always come in handy to power the inbuilt ciggy lighter IMHO.
Lets face it, when we are whinging down the track about how **** the wetsuit range is for SUP we can only blame ourselves!
