Falling Back

September is here, along with the warmest water, most powerful waves and more available parking spaces compared to the summer.  The reward surfers have been waiting for all year long arrives in the form of hurricane swells and the end of tourist season.  While the shift is not as abrupt as it used to be, the fall is a chance to enjoy local friends, fewer crowds and to surf in less neoprene before layering up for the winter. So what suit(s) are you wearing?

Those out east know the secret is to have a quiver of wetsuits equivalent to that of your boards; spring suit, 4/3, 3/2, 5/4, hood, no hood, short sleeve, long sleeve, no sleeve, wetsuit top, to name a few.  (And why aren’t there long pant short sleeve wetsuits for women yet)?  You can stock up and select your gear depending on the wind, time of day, amount of sun, and temperature, choosing wisely what you keep in your arsenal. Having it all, including a variety of booties and gloves for the winter, is a nice goal.  Ideally, you will have the very best which includes some zip-free, five finger gloves and Isurus and much as possible.

We find their Japanese Yamamoto neoprene and compression features both protective and freeing, which makes a difference in an already uncomfortable environment.  When you move easily, you surf better and recover faster; feeling just as warm wearing less is a win on the northeast.  Wearing a 3/2 that masquerades as a 4/3 or having a 4/3 with a hood when you are not ready for your 5/4 is a delight.

The Isurus zip-free is unique in how it is warm, flexible and easier to get in and out of, dreamy for a wetsuit. The zip-free seems to be the best travel suit when you are unsure of the temperature but want something super versatile.  There are always the winter surf trips that do not require a suit at all, but maybe that’s where the wetsuit top comes in handy or the spring shorty.  Like discussions about the weather, wetsuit selection is no different, and it’s all about preparation.  No one wants to get out of the water during a great session because they are too cold (hot, tired, or hungry).  East end conditions are way too volatile to not have what you need.

Also requiring care are those very suits, as year-round surfers you need to manage your gear accordingly.  Always rinsing it with cool fresh water, not hanging in direct sunlight, and never putting anything in the dryer after surfing.  Avoid bunching or stretching neoprene during storage.  You may want multiple versions of the same suit if you surf mostly in specific conditions.  If you come across something you love, why would you want to run out? The same goes for suits as it does for waves.

Happy surfing!