No wetsuits already?

i hate wearing wet suits and I'm sure most of you guys here will agree. a lot of the time i'm out, i'm the only guy not wearing one. with that being said, i bought a 2 mil oneil top... probably the best thing i ever bought. Its definitely too early to shed the full suit on the east coast. I usually don't til mid june. Really depending on air and water temps. If the water temp is in the 60s i won't wear a suit at all. I will wear only the 2 mil top if the air temp is cool. Anyone on the east coast knows that the weather and water temp fluctuate like crazy. I always have a suit in my car in case i need to throw it on.

 

In Jacksonville, I usually shed it early April, being in HHI you shouldn't be too far behind my guess is just a couple of weeks later.

 

68 degrees is my magic number where I start considering no wetsuit, but only if air temps are mid 70s + w/o much wind. Agree with you that it's really more novelty then and water needs to be low-mid 70s before I am truly comfortable, air temp dependent. Rarely go w/o wetsuit for DP sessions.

 

Water temp is about 70 here in Charleston, so I see no reason to wear a suit anymore. I was in my spring suit when the water hit 65. That said, I still see a lot of people out in full suits right now with 70F water temps and 77F daily highs. I would be pouring sweat I was was wearing my full suit today. I just think some people have no cold tolerance. I grew up in the north east, so that may explain why I feel that the water is warm right now. It is actually perfect for board shorts in my opinion. Once it hits 80F, it feels a bit too much like bath water.

 

I love my 5 mil, especially when the water is 45-54 F. And I pray for coastal upwelling this summer in the mid-Atlantic region. A real good coastal upwelling with water temps 58-64 in July....fog and consistent SE winds providing some choppy, albeit, intersting rideable surf. 3 mil and boots. You can't beat it. Rain.......I hope it rains all summer. Plus, NJSHREDMACHINE won't be able to show off his abs as much. Jeez, did I just write that? Now I'm into the NJSHREDMACINE hype. Wow. You guys realize that he's just recycling the Jersey Shore stereotypes right and it's just in jest. You non-Jersey dudes who get a kick out of him should really go to Seaside Heights in the summer. You guys would be BLOWN AWAY. If you find NJSM interesting, wow, look out !!

I like wetsuits. I don't know why everyone hates them. Yeah 5 mils and full rubber can be a hassle, but a 3mil ain't nothing but a thang.

 

Restrictive, hard to get on/off, require extra time out of water for changing, creative uncomfortable situations when you have to urinate, and expensive to replace. I don't hate them, as they serve a purpose in winter. I just don't like them. I much rather be relaxed out there in my boardies. Then I can just sit on the beach to let them dry.

 

Not a fan of the suit. Once the water hits 60 here in New Hampshire, I trunk it, with a 2mil top (no sleeves). Last year managed to stretch the suitless time from May 30 to Oct 2nd. Would rather be a bit cool than bake in a suit. Water temps here now are in mid-upper forties, so going with 3/2 suit, 2mil boots, 2mil gloves (no hood). Last weekend was the end of 4/3 season.

 

Brewengineer, oh how's that vodka brewing going? Anyways, it's kind of relative. After spending months in full 5 mil rubber, a 3 mil is nothing. You see what I'm saying. So I reckon geographical location plays a big part. And brewwngineer, you just let that urine flow. It's a built-in heating system.

Wave dave.......you trunk 60 F ? Dude, that's pretty chilly.

 

You are way more hardcore than I. I had a 4/3 on when the water temps dropped below 60F.

 

Oh don't worry, if I have to go I am going to go. It just feels awkward marinating in your own urine. Times like that, I am glad my 4/3 isn't completely sealed.

 

Here is my general scheme based on water temp. I usually surf dawn patrol in RI.

Below 45 degrees- Hooded 5/4, 7mm boots, 5mm lobster claw gloves
45 - 60 degrees - 4/3. Low end of this range, go with hood and heavy boots and gloves. Middle of range, go with 3mm gloves and 3mm boots, no hood. High end of range, drop gloves and boots.
60 - 65 degrees - 3/2mm
65 - 68 degrees - 2mm spring suit
68+ trunks plus neoprene vest

Straight trunking it at 6:00am in New England during the summer is not really necessary and is more just a novelty. Air temp is rarely above 75 in the morning and water temp usually only hits 70 in late August. If you surf a lot during the day, I could see trunking it a lot.

 

I am most comfortable wearing 3/2 with 3mil booties. Light wear, warmth, lots of traction and best of all the crowds dwindle with more rubber needed.

 

You guys crack me up, been trunking it since late march. I know, we don't count down here in FL

 

i think this is a pretty solid guide for most surfers here in the midatlantic/northeast region. i find most wetsuit companies "official" temperature guides pretty laughable & w/ no real-world application.

 

I swipe wetsuits throughout the seasons to adjust for the temp (craigslist is my friend much to my wife's attitude on spending money on MORE surfing gear).

I am now wearing a long john suit and have been for about a month which seems to be great for the air and water temp in Va Beach (though everyone else is in full suits).

I drop the suit also about at 68 to 75 depending on air temp.... but my kids do not seem phased by the water temp and already running out and playing in the water... and turning blue. End of this month the temp should be there when we skip spring and go right into summer again....

 

What exactly is a long john suit? Are you talking about surfing in something sleeveless in VA Bch for the past month - water temps in the 50s?

 

Regardless of where I've lived on East Coast,
If air temp is warm enough, I'm trunking in 63 degress +. Don't mind my wetsuit, but feeling the water/added mobility = priceless.
But who cares what other people are wearing, just be comfortable. You're only out there for yourself.

 

as soon as its trunkable, i dont hesitate. i always trunk it in upper 60's

 

During my session this afternoon, I could SWEAR the water warmed up overnight. So I checked the buoy and sure enough... up about 5 degrees since this time yesterday! I know the buoy readings and the surf zone are not usually exactly the same, but it's a good indicator.