Wetsuit Buying Tips

Not so long ago - wetsuits for children were virtually unheard of. As a child, my skinny little brother loved playing in the sea on Welsh beaches, but he would rapidly turn blue (literally) changing the day from happy and relaxed, to charged with anxiety. My Dad bought a DIY kit to make him a wetsuit - it cost £14 (a lot of money in those days, but then a ready made wetsuit cost £80). It transformed my brother's seaside holidays.

Over the last few years, the cost of the hi-tech fabrics used for wetsuits has come down dramatically, making wetsuits for children so much more affordable.

Technically, wetsuits work like this. As the wearer goes into the water, the wetsuit fills with a small amount of water. This initial 'fill up' gets trapped in the wetsuit and is warmed by the body. As the wearer moves about - instead of constantly meeting new cold water, the body warmed water stays in place, allowing the wearer to stay warm for longer. Obviously, the better the wetsuit fit, the better the warmed water stays in place, and the longer the wearer can stay comfortable.

It is important therefore, to have a well fitting wetsuit. The suit should fit like a second skin. Comfortable, but form-fitting. If the suit is too large, there will be loose folds of rubber in the middle and/or bottom or crotch area. If a bigger size is required, it will be most evident in the vertical fit of the torso-from the shoulders to the crotch. There will be uncomfortable tightness pulling down on the shoulders and up in the crotch area. We provide detailed sizing information, allowing you to select the correct size for your child.

As well as keeping the wearer warm in water, wetsuit have other benefits. The neoprene of the suit has a slight buoyancy, which can aid the confidence of a novice in the water, and the suit provides wind and UV protection both in and out of the water. They also offer some general protection too, for example from jellyfish.

Choosing a wetsuit can be mystifying. There is a lot of technical jargon around, and very little information as to what makes a 'good wetsuit' and what makes a 'cheap wetsuit'.

The answer is simple. The better the potential fit, the better quality the wetsuit. The best quality wetsuits are made with the stretchiest neoprenes, and have multiple panels in them for the best cut. They use expensive materials, and involve more labour. Also, flatlocked seams are flush against the body, again for fit and comfort, and these are more expensive to manufacture.

But unlike adults, children are in and out of the water many times. They will play in the water, and then come out onto the beach. They need something to keep them warm between the two, keep the wind chill off and provide UV protection. Technical fit becomes less important, comfort and freedom of movement more important (which is why we only offer shorty style wetsuits and not full body with long sleeves and legs).

In our opinion, our wetsuit offerings are the best balance available for technical performance, practicality and price. All our wetsuits are quality, value for money products; we do not sell any of the cheap, inferior wetsuits commonly available in resorts. As parents, we understand how quickly children grow, and that what is required is something which can really enhance their water and seaside experience, but is ultimately affordable (and tough enough to be handed down!).

Since holiday time always seems brief, and you need to maximise your enjoyment and play-time whilst you are away, we strongly recommend that you take time to choose and get your children's beach wear sorted out before you travel - by buying respected brands from us!

Rash Vests

Your child may find that the neoprene of the wetsuits chafes. In this case, using a rash vest under the suit is recommended. Rash vests are like slips worn under a dress, they are designed not to stick, and will not clump up into uncomfortable lumps. Rash vests are lycra, just like UV clothing, so we recommend that you provide your child with a rash vest or UV outfit and a wetsuit, and it is probable that they will end up wearing both together.

Infants Wetsuits

The infant wetsuits are ideal for tots on the beach. Adjustable at the shoulders, they do offer some size tuning and room for growth. They are perfect for running in and out of (toddler size) breaking waves. They also provide extra warmth and wind protection on the beach and allow free arm movement, and of course they provide UV protection.

Babies Wetsuits

For babies, we believe that wetsuits are close to essental for any pool activities. The smaller the child, the more rapidly they can lose body warmth, and as we all know, young babies can only cope with being in water very briefly. It can be such a palaver, taking your baby to the pool, getting them ready, and into the water, only to have to come out moments later because they are cold (particularly if older siblings are left frustrated). Our Baby Warmas and wetsuits allow your baby to stay warm for longer, (and allow you to hold them with more confidence in the water and on the side, as they are less slippery!).

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