What is the safest way to put your wetsuit on?

A wetsuit is just not your everyday piece of clothing. For anyone who is going to embark on your first surfing experience and need a wetsuit, take a look at our online surf shop at Hansensurf.com and find an ideal one. Alternatively, if you merely need some advice on wearing a wetsuit, then Hansensurf has the next tips for you.

The first step is to ensure that your wetsuit is not inside out and also the zipper is in the back. Its amazing how often people get this wrong and put the zipper at the front instead. Really the only exception are some "zipperless wetsuits" that also have a very very short zipper on the chest that opens a hole through which you squeeze into your wetsuit.

Extend your feet so they slide easier into the wetsuit legs and slide your legs, one at the time into the wetsuit.

In one movement, pull your wetsuit up to your waist. Adjust it so the wetsuit knee is on your knee, wetsuit crotch is on your crotch etc there should be no big wrinkles. This will make it so much easier to get it up over the top half of your body. You might start to feel that your wetsuit is too tight and maybe even too small but you will find this is only because the bulk of the suit is bunched up below your waist.

Pull the wetsuit up and put one of your arms all the way into a sleeve.

Pull the neoprene so your armpit and shoulder fit where they should.

Put in the other arm and then straighten and adjust the neoprene so that it is all in right place.

Straighten the flap under the zipper so that it does not get stuck in the zipper.

Use the cord that is attached to the zipper slider to close the zipper. You just pull it over your shoulder.

Close the neck panel with the velcro fastening provided and voila, you're done!

People always imagine that their wetsuit is too small when they try it for the first time. The reason for this is that your suit should in reality be snug and even a little tight. This prevents water from getting into a wetsuit. If you might choose a nice and comfortable wetsuit that you almost can't feel on you it would be too big. It would stretch even more in the water as neoprene gets looser when wet and you would be swimming in your wetsuit. So it takes some time to get used to how to put on a wetsuit.

In conclusion, you should keep two things in mind - One, ensure all parts of the wetsuit are in place, otherwise you will surely have excess neoprene in some parts and a too tight feeling in others and you will feel like your wetsuit is too small. Two, your wetsuit needs to be tight and snug to keep you warm in the water.

Visit Hansensurf.com for further information on wetsuits and find one which is best for you.