VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi guys, I need your help. I would like feedback on the best wetsuit options for winter windsurf sailing. I know it's almost summer, however I just want to be prepared once the winter sailing season starts.
I don't care how much it costs, I just want a suit that will work better than my current Excel 6-5-4. The Excel is warm enough, however it is too tight in the forearm/arm area, even though it is sized correctly.

One of the options would be a purpose built suit for windsurfers, like the Neilpryde Elite. Does anyone use this suit?

Another thought I had would be to size the suit a little larger than the recommendations in the sizing chart, in the hope of a looser fit in the arm area.....anyone tried this before?

I am 6'2", 195lbs, with a 34" waist, it's just my arms are larger than most people in this size range (no I'm not boasting..... I just ate too much spinach as a kid..LOL)

Anyway I think you get the picture, big arms + tight suit= no fun.....help.

I bet if you stuff the forearms with old t-shirts or something all summer, come fall it will be stretched out nicely.

Thanks DWD for the suggestion, I have been doing this with glass Perrier bottles for the last 8 months, it didn't work.

bigger bottles? !
well then my other 2 cents is for the cost of the elite suit you might consider the OR drysuit or the Bare 1/2 suit as well. tight on the wrists but lots of forearm room. you can save the xcel for surfing.

I had thought about a drysuit, however last winter I managed to cut my suit 2X on the fin.....this wouldn't have been fun in a drysuit. For safety reasons I want to stick with a wetsuit.

I would also recommend the Bare Polar Heat drysuit. The lower part of the suit is 6mm neoprene and that is usually where fin cuts happen. That works like a wetsuit when cut. I've had mine for 3yrs. now with no problems. They are very warm and comfortable for the arms. My wrist seals were too tight at first but I trimmed them back a bit and stretched them with beer bottles so they're no longer a problem.

Hey Mike, I've used NP 5000 5/3 semi dry's for over 9 yrs now. It's my main suit for Fall/Winter/Spring. Just got another last fall. The latest are incredibly comfortable and super stretchy, immaculate construction/quality. Windsurf specific, oversized forearms, near waterless, easy self entry. $299 from NeilPryde Maui. You will love this suit. I think Elites are overkill for the most part, the 5000's are still very high end but affordable!

hi

A different type of drysuit is the Pyro surf from Ocean Rodeo. It has a Lycra covering that keeps it snug, unlike a typical drysiut. Because of the outer layer, it is unlikely to get cut by a fin. A few of us have been using this suit for both surfing(it is specifically designed for this) as well as kiting. Unlike the typical bagsuits, it is comfortable for swimming in, especially if you need to swim in in surf, for example, the Oregon coast.

Surfboards have 3/4 sharp fins, and this has not been a problem. You could pm sonicspectrum(JZ from OR) nand he can probably set you up with a demo suit. i've surfed all my life and find this a very good alternative to neoprene.

http://www.oceanrodeo.com/surfing/drysuits.php

check it out for an informed opinion.

cheers.

All I can say is don't buy a 100% smoothskin suit. I bought a prolimit global 5/4/3 last year. It's been warm comfy like no other suit I've had but my harness has almost worn a hole in the chest panel (with little use) and have had many other cuts in the delicate smoothskin. Not too durable! I will be in the market for a new suit before my global is a year old. If you like the Bare Polar, Oneill has a similar suit the Assault, Windance sells it for $359. For me I will be looking for a 5/4 surf type suit with less smoothskin and more durability.