As protective as a wetsuit may be, like all of your expensive surf gear, it deserves to be treated with care. Although it may look bulletproof, your wetsuit is mostly designed to keep you warm in the waters, and is not invulnerable to the sharp, scary objects the ocean waves may bring.
As such, in order to extend its lifespan, it is important that you continually take great care of your wetsuit. Here are a few tips to help you keep your wetsuit in impeccable condition for a long time.
Avoid areas with sharp objects
The best way to ensure your wetsuit is not ripped by any sharp objects in the ocean is to avoid environments with them completely. Simply steer away from rocky areas, rough reefs and even beaches with gravelly car parks or sand masses.
A rip in your wetsuit is extremely difficult to repair (you’d have to take it to a specialised shop and repairs are generally quite expensive) so it is important that you avoid the risk of ripping it altogether.
Rinse and wash your wetsuit regularly
Although it may be obvious, ‘washing’ your wetsuit in the ocean does not count as keeping in clean. In fact, you need to prevent damage by rinsing your wetsuit of salt with fresh water regularly (preferably right after you have taken it off after a surf). Rinse both the exterior and interior of your wetsuit thoroughly.
Every once in a while, you can also take care of your wetsuit by washing it with a wetsuit shampoo. This way, you can prolong the quality of your wetsuit as well as get rid of any stubborn salt crystals or scrappy objects buried in your wetsuit material. If you take the occasional pee in the ocean as well, it is important that you wash your wetsuit clean of it to prevent it from smelling and breaking down.
Never dry your wetsuit in the sun
In contrast to most clothing items and other surfing gear, wetsuits should ideally never be dried in the sun. This is due to the fact that most wetsuits are made of neoprene (a synthetic rubber) which is a type of material that easily breaks down when exposed to UV rays.
As a result, be sure to dry your wetsuit in the sun, and dry it straight after you have finished wearing it or washed it as well. Reason being, wetsuits that are left wet for too long may stretch and lose grip around the shoulders and neck area. Also make sure to dry the inside of your wetsuit as well as the outside.
While all wetsuits certainly need to be taken care of, some are designed to be more durable than others. For example, the ladies wetsuits at Jet Pilot are incredibly long-lasting and made to withstand even the harshest of weather conditions out in the water. If you have been looking for a high-quality wetsuit to complete your surfer gear, the options at Jet Pilot may be worth considering.
