How kids wetsuits work
It doesn't matter if your child wants to go swimming, surfing or body boarding in the water - they will have a more enjoyable time if they are warm!
Kid's or children's wetsuits are made from Neoprene. The neoprene rubber traps a thin layer of water between the skin and the wetsuit, using body heat to warm the water, hence keeping the child warm. Children's wetsuits will give your child extra warmth in cold water and, in the summer, protect them from harmful UV rays.
How should a kids wetsuit fit?
The wetsuit must have a snug fit reasonably tight on your child for a thin film of water trapped between the rubber and the skin to be able to warm up. The dilemma is that most parents want to future-proof the wetsuit, as they know their child will grow out of it quickly. The trouble is the wetsuit needs to fit snugly for the child to enjoy the warmth of the wetsuit. We always recommend buying the right size kids wetsuit.
What are kids shorty wetsuits?
A kids shorty wetsuit is designed to cover the torso or upper body. A shorty wetsuit will have short legs and short sleeves and are ideal when temperatures exceed 20 degrees.
Another benefit of shorty kids wetsuits is that they protect against the sun. Most children don't like wearing tight clothes, and shorty wetsuits are a good compromise as they are easy to get on and off and warmer than not wearing a wetsuit at all.
Why choose a full kids wetsuit?
3mm full wetsuits are a little warmer than a shorty and are pefect for watersports in the United Kingdom in late spring. This is the most common choice for sports like kayaking, paddle boarding or surfing.
A wide range of winter children's wetsuits
If your child wants to be in the water through colder months, buy wetsuits designed specifically for winter. These are usually 4-5mm thick and will have seams that don't let the cold water in.
Full wetsuits provide good insulation and keep the body warm. Children love to spend a lot of time in the water and are more susceptible to hypothermia, so a full-length wetsuit is ideal for colder water.
If your child is a little accident-prone in the sea, a full wetsuit will give them some protection and make it easier for them whilst swimming, as the neoprene rubber has a small amount of buoyancy.
Kids rash vests are great to go under a kids wetsuit as they are super soft and can also be worn on their own in the summer.
Here at Boardworx, we stock high-quality and very durable children's wetsuits, giving you a great choice at a great price.