why go plastic free?For a long time the world has seen pictures and videos of rubbish piling up on to beach all over the world floating in the water of desert islands or even the great pacific garbage patch creating an impenetrable trash island. this has been brought...
TOP TIPS To Help Make Your Wetsuit Last Longer!!!
TOP TIPS To Help Make Your Wetsuit Last Longer!!!
Although its the quickest way to dry your suit for the next session, hanging it up in direct sunlight means a shorter life for your neoprene.
Next to buying a new board, investing in a fresh wetsuit is one of the most expensive purchases a surfer will make in a given year. With most new suits retailing above £300, you want your investment to last. We rang up Joanne Huebner of Froghouse Surfshop in Newport Beach for advice on extending the life of your rubber. With more than 20 years of experience repairing neoprene, she knows how to get your suit through another winter.
Fit Matters:
Having a comfortable suit that fits will not only make for a better session but can also extend the life of your suit. “If your wetsuit doesn’t fit properly, you’re not only going to be uncomfortable, but you’re going to be slowly ruining your suit as well,” says Joanne. “If your suit is too small, you’re constantly stretching it out further than it should, putting tension on the seams and rubber that will lead to holes and tears.”
Dry it in the Shade:
One of the absolute worst things you can do for your suit is to leave it in the sun. “It’ll dry out all of the rubber and shrink it up, which means you’re gonna start creating some holes and tears. Dry your suit out in the garage or in your shower, but never leave it to dry out in the sun.”
Don’t let it Rot:
One of the quickest ways to shorten the life expectancy of your suit is to wad it up and throw it in your trunk. Not only will your car smell like a gas station urinal the next time you get in, but if left soaking wet for too long, the rubber in the suit will begin to deteriorate. When you do hang your suit, don’t hang it wet over a hanger. “If your suit is soaking wet and you hang it on a regular small hanger, you’re actually stretching it out. The weight of the wet rubber will pull at the legs and stretch out the suit, creating tension in the shoulders that can lead to tears and holes. Drape your suit over something wide so there’s no tension pulling at any part of the suit.”
Desalinate:
The salt from the ocean can be one of the biggest factors in killing your suit. After each session, wash it off in fresh water, inside and out. “I’ve seen a lot of people bring in their suits and you can tell that they’re not washing it all the way off and only doing it halfway. You’ll see that the ankles and other places that they didn’t clean will start to tear.”
Kill the smell:
If your suit’s grown a bit ripe and no amount of freshwater rinsing seems to do the trick, there’s still hope. Fill up your bathtub with warm water and add a splash of Woolite. “That seems to help out a lot if your suit gets too stinky,” adds Joanne. “But keep in mind one of the worst things you can do is to throw it in the washing machine. If you just soak it in the tub with Woolite, that’ll do the trick.”
Utilize The Warranty:
Shit happens. Zippers break, seams tear, holes abound. Despite taking the utmost care for your suit, problems will inevitably arise. Fortunately, most good suits come with a warranty. Use it. “Most people that come to me for repairs come in with problems that could have been fixed with their warranty, but they waited too long,” says Joanne. “When you get a new wetsuit, take note of the seems zippers, knee patches and leg holes. Most of the problems can be replaced by the company. Just save the warranty card and your receipt.”
Related Posts
10 Simple Ways Surfers Can Go Plastic Free
SUP MAG Review The Widowmaker Surf SUP
We got in touch with Sup Mag UK Again after they last tested our Widowmaker 8'3 surf SUP a few months earlier. They wanted to give our biggest Widow Maker (9'1) ago and compare what they found to the 8'3. we happily obliged and sent over a brand new 9'1 widowmaker to...
How To Wax A Surfboard
How To Wax A SurfboardWax has been used for years to help surfers gain traction and grip to their surfboards in water. Traditionally a surfboard is quit slippery in the water and without wax or traction pads I would be difficult to paddle and ride. Most surfboards...
Never Wax Your Surfboard Again
Never wax your surfboard again Waxing a surfboard can be a tricky task if you don't know what you were doing, tropical warm cool and cold water wax as well as base coat there is quite a few different waxes you'll need depending on the conditions if you want to know...
10 Reasons Smoothies Are Perfect For Surfers
Do you like smoothies now I know what your thinking smoothies aren't just for the hipsters, they are actually an incredibly powerful way of eating that can have incredible effects o your surfing. Pro surfers like Kelly Slater, and Stephanie Gilmore have talked about...
SUP MAG REVIEW – Navigator
The SUP Mag Review Our Navigator has been our best selling sup for the last 3 years and for good reason, its one of our most versatile all round Stand Up Paddleboards we offer. Ideal for beginners just starting out looking for s stable platform that's easy to paddle...
Yoga and paddle boarding are a perfect combo as yoga can be very spiritual and using the paddleboard surroundings as a catalyst for a more enjoyable and relaxing experience is a great idea. Using the paddleboarding adds an extra dimension of balance to the activity. This can be a lot of fun as well as very challenging for someone who is already an experienced practitioner of yoga. In addition, the ambience that is associated with paddle boarding is far more pleasant and relaxing than being in a cramped gym or fitness studio. The sun and water will enhance the experience greatly.
