WETSUITS

Board-Worx is Kent's wetsuit specialist, on Beach Walk in Whitstable. Wetsuits from C-Skins, O'Neill, Rip Curl, Mystic, Manera and Prolimit — summer shorties through to hooded 5/4mm winter suits, £49 to £350. Come and try one on before you decide.

What thickness wetsuit do I need?

Water temperature decides it, not air temperature. Kent water runs roughly 6–8°C in February and 17–18°C in August.

The two numbers are neoprene thickness: 5mm on the body, 3 or 4mm on the arms and legs where you need to bend. This is a guide — wind chill and your own cold tolerance both matter. See the full temperature guide and size guide.

Chest zip or back zip?

Back zip is far easier to get on and off with cold fingers, at the cost of a bit more flush down the back. A chest zip seals better across the shoulders and lets less water through, which you notice on a long winter session, but it's harder to climb into.

For a summer suit the difference is small and a back zip at £99 is honest value. For winter, chest zip is worth paying for.

How should a wetsuit fit?

Like a second skin, with no creases or baggy spots. That keeps cold water out and stops rubbing. It shouldn't restrict you — it should move with your body. A suit that's slightly too big will flush cold water through, and you'll be cold whatever the neoprene is doing. If you can pinch a fold away from your skin anywhere, it's too big.

Mens and womens suits are cut to different templates, and every brand cuts to its own. Sizes now include medium tall and large short for men, and UK dress sizes 8, 10 and 12 for women with tall and short versions from brands like C-Skins. An O'Neill large and a C-Skins large are not the same shape, which is why we'd rather you tried one on.

Do wetsuits keep you dry, or just warm?

Just warm. Neoprene itself is waterproof, but seams, cuffs and the neck are not, so water gets in. What keeps you warm is the insulation in the neoprene plus a thin trapped layer against your skin.

Blind-stitched and taped or fluid-sealed seams cut the flush of cold water and you stay warm longer. A common myth is that a wetsuit needs a layer of water to work — it doesn't. A tight suit that stays mostly dry against you is warmer than a wet one.

Is it better tight or loose?

Neither. Too tight is restrictive and uncomfortable. Too large flushes and chafes. Snug is what you want — firm on land, comfortable in the water. Overall fit matters more than your weight or height on a chart, particularly across the lower back and behind the knees.

Looking after it

Rinse in fresh water every time. Dry it inside out on a wide wetsuit hanger, out of direct sunlight — UV degrades the rubber. Never fold it tightly, as creases crush the neoprene into thin spots. A repair kit is under a tenner, and a split seam caught early takes ten minutes.

Shop by category

Mens: all mens wetsuits · summer 3/2mm · shorties · winter 5/4mm

Womens: all womens wetsuits · summer 3/2mm · shorties · winter

Kids: junior wetsuits and shorties, £20 to £69 from C-Skins and O'Neill

By brand: C-Skins · O'Neill · Rip Curl · Mystic

The rest of the kit: boots · gloves · hoods and beanies · rash vests and thermals · hangers, cleaners and repair kits · changing robes

Open Monday to Saturday 9:30–17:00, and Sunday 10:00–13:00 in summer. Free UK delivery over £50.