I live in South Louisiana and would like to start riding now, get on the water while its not crowded and maybe learn a few more things. I know some of u guys ride pretty much year round so I was hoping u could tell me what I need as far as clothing in type of weather/water temps. I know I need a wetsuit...what size?type?thickness? Full or shorty? Any other lil things? <BR>Thanks, and hope 2 see yall on the water soon!

3/2 fullsuit with boardshorts over the top of course, then maybe a 2mm long sleeve top, then trunk it! water temps cant be that could down there can it? low 60's?

where in louisiana do you live? i live in south mississippi and i have been riding in just a long sleeve heater shirt. the water was mid-high 60's and not uncomfortable at all. i know mike has been riding out in layafette for about a month and i think he just has a normal wetsuit. nothing extra think or anything. <BR> <BR>where do u usually ride? are you going to LSF?

and by layafette i really meant lafayette <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Im from the lafayette area, 30 miles north of there, but ride in henderson, mermentau river. I think the water is in the low to mid 60's. <BR>3/2 meaning what exactly, sorry for the ignorance.

i wish that was the water temp here and i could start riding ...STUPID PA!!! we still have snow!

i hear ya jason, im in ny and goin crazy

Yea I'm up in Jackson and I've been riding in a wet suit, somedays a heater top. It depends. we have those days here, like this past weekend, when it got up into the mid 80's, but then in two days it'll be down into the 40's. Water usually stays about in the middle. Yea its a good bit warmer than all of ya'll up in the north, but at the same time, we aren't used to the cold down here, so 40 to us is probably like 0 to ya'll haha. <BR> <BR>But yea, if its really cold to you, get a wet suit, as it warms up get a heater top. you'll be aight. close toed boots help. and gloves (only when its cold!)

shannon 3/2 means a 3mm wet suit with a 2mm sleeve. its just the thickness of the wetsuit

3/2 = 3mm thick material around your torso / 2mm for your arms and legs. I do not own a wetsuit but I've had them on and think that's right. <BR> <BR>The thicker the suit the slower water will seep in and out, making it warmer. Thicker suits also make it harder to bend your elbows and knees. <BR> <BR>Most of my friends have 3/2 wetsuits or bag style drysuits. <BR> <BR>If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

lantz, you're right on the 3/2 stuff. thick suits trap more water in. so when you heat it up, theres more warm water b/w you and the cold stuff. <BR> <BR>Shannon, the water was 54* in east texas last week. I bet you're in the 60s by now. Most folks need a heater shirt (at least 2mil) at that point. Some would opt for 3/2 l/s shorty. longsleeve up top, 3 on the torso, 2 on the arms, with short legs. <BR> <BR>who's up for LSF?

whats about size? They look tough to get into. Im 5-11 and go from 190-200#.

super stretchy. i'm 6'2 same weight and wear a large jetpilot.

The thicker the suit, the stiffer it is (harder to move) the more it floats (due to more air pockets in the thicker neoprene) and the more it insulates. Water doesn't actually pass through neoprene (dry suits are made of neoprene too, although it is usually crushed neoprene which is why it doesn't increase your bouyancy the same way) which is why a wet suit keeps you warm. Water comes in at the cuffs/neck and zip but it won't pass through the suit, your body heat warms the water trapped in the suit which is why you stay warm. Make sure the suit fits you well a suit that is too big won't keep you warm, a suit that is too small is obviously no good either. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Jtnz on February 19, 2008)

Oh yeah if you have trouble getting into the suit try a plastic carrier bag over your feet/hands to get them into the cuffs.

nacho, you going to LSF? <BR> <BR>we have 5 house-boats already reserved and its going to be freaking AWESOME!!!! id suggest anyone wanting to go to start looking into hotel rooms etc...

you should be able to ride with just board shorts until the water gets below 55 degrees!!!

Yea right!

Sippi <BR>You been on the Pearl/Rez? I went to Eagle Lake 1 week ago. Just about ready to de winterize and head out a little.. <BR>BW

IMO a dry suit is worth the money if you can bc you can use it when ever in 60 degree water or 45

in all honesty, shortys are worthless..we go from a 3/2 fullsuit to a 2mm long sleeve top to trunks. i would rather be warmer then needed rather than COLD anyday!!

hey sippi. where are you ridin at?

60's water temp wouldn't require a full suit.

60s water temp doesn't require any suit... MAN UP!

wtf shannon??

70's = skinnin it <BR>60's = heater top-skinnin it <BR>50's = full suit/drysuit <BR>40's = wtf you doin on the water ????

well since ive moved down here to mississippi ive stayed south for the most part. i ride in gulfport/biloxi ms, head out to fish river in fairhope al, then sometimes the other way to covington area. i met some guys out in lafayette and plan on heading out there some, then of coarse head home to ride in my fav place ever, the trinity river in texas a few times a summer. it looks like the jackson/madison area has a good crowd, but i dont know anyone out there.

Man 70s is getting up there, we ride in the sea though, so it doesn't warm up or cool down anywhere near as much as a lake or river. Our summers aren't as hot as the states, our winters aren't as cold either. Never have to winterise the boat just keep riding all year. <BR> <BR>Usually between 65 Summer and 50 Winter. Middle of winter boardies and a 3/2 jacket (used to be a full suit til it got too small and I cut the legs off) gets kinda cold waiting for the boat to come back, but once you're up and riding it's all good.

IM with Jonny-WakeLV on this one, why be cold if u dont have to. Im getting a full suit off ebay. As far as the heater shirt; what thikness?? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by jixxxer on February 20, 2008)

Mine is 1mm, Rip Curl Hotskin, usually wear that under the wet suit as well. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Jtnz on February 20, 2008)

Yea, thats my other question, what do u wear under a wetsuit??

Man up. <BR> Lake Austin almost never gets above 60. I ride year round and I have worn my wet suit 7 times and took it off during one set but thats is the + of being in the 200lb+ club ha ha ha ha ha

whitie, we all cant be as manly as you!!! hope to see you this summer sometime.. get some A-town peeps and head out to LSF!!! i dont think ill be able to make round up <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> maybe fall bash and waketoberfest!!

dude mid 60s?! get buy a heater top and go man!

lantz, its all about the seams. like Jos said water doesnt get through the neoprene. the better the seams the drier you stay. thicker suits insulate better keeping you warmer. thicker does not mean stiffer. i have a 4/3 oneill psycho and it is way more flexible then my 3/2 oneill heat. both of those suits are 100% sealed with a fluid seam weld so i stay almost completely dry. i definitely feel warmer in the psycho and it feels like im naked it is so flexible.

Justin, <BR>If you ever come up to Jackson area.. holla. WE get good water on the Pearl River pretty often..gets a little rough on weekends when the bass boats, cigarette boats and pontoons race up to flag island...

ha, we have some issues with all the bass/pontoon boats.... heck it is mississippi so you just have to get used to the "redneck boatshow" every weekend.. <BR> <BR>ps, id love to make a trip up there.. we should def arrange something.

yea, i'm going. got to get on hotel rooms pretty soon. <BR> <BR>You know anything about where to stay? maybe LSF site..

Thanks for the corrections Mitch.

if its that cold you could always use your girlfriends wet suit?