My mom got this for Chirstmas but I have to wait til spring to use it I had a old one used for diving a long time ago but it was my dads from the 60's and it fell apart. I have been looking for a long time for one of these
Pretty cool. It looks like it could be the O'niel Original that is currently available. O'neil make the matching farmer johns too. I still have some of a 3/8 diving wetsuit from the late 70's that I have been cutting up for different padding uses. All that is left is part of the vest with attached hood. The complete outfit was farmer johns, vest with hood and beavertail front zip jacket, boots and lobster claw mittens. You could hardly move in the things.
Yeah When I first started surifng my dad gave me a 3/8 thick rubber one he got from a diving shop . From it sitting for years in our garage it was all dryrotted. It fell apart before the end of that summer. I like to looks of the Vintage Soul one. Looks exaclty like the one my dad gave me more than 15 years ago
Sorry I'm not up to speed on vintage wetsuit design but, what do you do with that tail flap ? are you supposed to tuck it in board shorts? is it the back or front of the suit? lol anyways, glad your stoked
not sure either but it looks like it tucks up under your crotch, and secures in the front using velcro, kinda like a diaper.
Its supose to be worn with a farmer John and is supose to velcro up in the front. I and most of the ppl have seen use them just let the tail flap hang down Its a retor style suit
What's the point though... I understand riding retro boards, but not wearing retro suits... Not trying to be a jerk, just wondering what the appeal is
In the late 70's all the older guys on longboards wore those. I can remember being intimidated by anyone who wore one and gave instant respect . The flap must hang loose if you want to scare off all the groms in fact I never saw one with the flap connected.
Its just a style what I prefer. I dont buy into any of the Hype of 95% of the sure companies out there. I just grew up around that style of surfing and its all I have really been into. I dont even own a pair of name brand boardshorts LOL. All I have ever bought were Birdwell Beach Britches or Katin's. I am not into the whole Nike 6.0 , Volcome Army, Egro or any of the new stuff thats out there. Before some one chimes in I AM NOT BASHING ANY COMPANIES OR PEOPLE WHO BUY THERE STUFF!!!!!. It just not my cup of tea.
Yeah all back wetsuits and Black Bridwell's and boards with no fancey graphics of loud colors. A huddle of Guys in the line up like that and make any Grom think twice about snaking one of those guys
Tools "R" Us The Jacket in question is hardly "Old School." My first full suit came from Central Skin Divers 160-09 Jamaica Ave. Jamaica, NY 11432 718-739-5772 It was made to order, shipped directly to my home in Cape May, and featured exterior sharkskin texture in a two piece configuration, well before the "step-into" suits which are now so common. The pants were high waisted up to just below the nipple line and had zippered ankles, as were the wrists on the jacket. The "Beaver Tail" swung up between the legs and was held in place with two stainless steel swivel locks (not real comfortable when laying prone on a board for obvious reasons) that held it all together and ostensibly sealed the suit. . . NOT. Gloves were lobster claw three finger mittens, and the boots were prone to ballooning out when they filled up with water when standing up. The suits were 3/8" thick and generally flushed every time you went under water. Thankfully materials technology and design has made considerable strides since those days. And oh yeah, Matt- I found this photo of you in your first one-piece hooded suit. Just remember not to fart like this when you wear it. In the meantime, surf more, talk less.
I know this isnt totall era correct. I the origional one passed down to me was thick rubber and very restictive in movement. It had the the stainless steel swivle locks like you mentioned. I dont remeber what brand it was but is said "something" Diving Supply on it . This one I got a cross between modern materials and Classic style. Dont you worry about me When there's surf I am out there in it. Oh by the way Nice blow up doll. I didnt know you like bbw's LOL
I'm still wearing Birdwells but can't go with the black. I like the legs cut a little longer than the originals too. Maybe I'm not as tough as I used to think i was. Hard to wear a pair of Birdies out. Still the same old crew at the factory, family.
That was the ONLY design of wetsuits in the 60s and 70s. The "flap" is called a beaver tail and closed with twist locks and was intended to keep the jacket in place and from rising up. Usually paired with a farmer john pant which divers still used. It wasn't until the 80s when surfers influenced the back zip style and after that even diver's suits incorporated that idea. Nice to see that the smooth skins from the 60s and 70s have come back in style and practicality as they rubber smooth skins keeps water from evaporating, and cold water from rushing in, keeping you much warmer.
