Free Surf 84

Ride Better Waves With The Right Surf Clothing

Surfing, like skiing, is one of those sports where image is everything. Wearing the right colours of the season and the right brands in the industry is a well known part of riding the waves. Most people have heard of a half a dozen top surfing brands and as a result tend to meander towards these familiar names when choosing their surf clothes. Buying you clothing for the season doesn't end at your wetsuit however. If you really want to look the part, there are board shorts, sunglasses, t-shirts and headwear to also consider, helping you stand out when riding the crest of your wave.

For those who have never stepped foot on a surf board, it is by no means an easy sport and takes a great deal of patience and skill to succeed. However once you master the moves, it's a highly addictive thrill. Riding your board out to sea, identifying a suitable wave, using all your upper body strength to push yourself up on to your board, positioning your feet and arms at the right angle and having enough balance to ride the wave to the very end, is a terrific physical and personal challenge. One of the greatest ways to ensure you can give your best performance is to make sure you are dressed suitably and wearing comfortable and appropriate surf clothing.

Surf clothing will ensure you are dressed at the correct temperature for the ocean and that you are suitably streamlined. The first thing to purchase therefore is your wetsuit. Depending on when you plan on catching your waves will determine if you buy yourself a summer or winter suit. This is important as insulation will vary between the two. Winter surfing obviously involves surfing in cold water and therefore you will require a thickness of 5mm. However if you plan on doing some summer surfing you will probably just need a shortie (3mm suit).

Finding a wetsuit that fits you perfectly (make sure you pick one for the right gender as they will be designed to fit differently) will not only make your surfing more comfortable but will also protect you better against the elements. It's important to get fitted properly to make sure you get the right fit for your body shape. Price will obviously be a contributing factor to your choice however the more you are willing to pay, the higher the quality materials of the suit and more advanced bonding processes means better protection and comfort.

Your wetsuit however should just be the first, not the only item on your shopping list. If you are planning to surf in warmer conditions, you may opt for a rash vest and shorts instead of the full wetsuit. Rash vests are seamless torso shirts that are designed to increase your paddle speed and your flexibility, as well as keeping you warm when the conditions turn a little chillier. Board shorts come in all styles, with the brighter, wilder prints usually being the most popular.

Hats and headwear are a personal preference however often surfers with longer hair often opt for these to keep their hair from their eyes while in action. Similarly many riders choose to wear sunglasses to keep the glare of the water from reflecting into their eyes.

On shore, Surf clothing also includes a good pair of flip flops (or jandals or thongs, depending on which country you are from). If you are surfing in warm weather, the sand may be too hot to walk on in barefoot so a good pair of flip flops will help overcome this problem, while being easy to slip off at a moment's notice when you spot a vital wave.

Like buying specific boots to play football, leotards for gymnastics and swimming costumes for swimming, there is also very specific attire you need when surfing. Buying the right surf clothes is not just about looking good but about protecting yourself from the sometimes extreme elements at sea and about streamlining your body to achieve its maximum performance.