I moved down from north QLD in August last year so had to buy a wetsuit. I got an ION 4/3 from RPS. Kept me nice and warm on my first few icy sails, would definitely recommend one. Bonus is they are made for windsurfing so the forearms have a bit of extra room compared to a surfing wettie, so you're less likely to get arm pump. And being a semi-dry suit they have ankle straps to stop cold water shooting up your leg if you do something weird. Bit more expensive than what you could pick up down at Torquay but worth it IMO.
Going to get my 3/2 E-bomb repaired (got a few vent holes in it now) & use a 4/3 whilst it's away. Haven't had the need for anything over 3/2 for the past couple of years, even during Vic winter.
"I've included a picture of a bear using a urinal, this is how I normally use the toilet, notice that the animal is not wearing a wetsuit. Although I am not a bear, I, like a bear, do not piss in wetsuits."
I've been windsurfing for over 25 years and for most of them I did not piss in my wet suit, but over the last couple of years I have got lazy and let a few out. Not to keep me warm, as how can pee running down your legs keep you warm. There is no way I'm letting pee go above my legs.
I vowed not to do it in my wetty as the dude who sold it to me said the ammonia breaks down the wetty.... but despite his warning, I baptized it last winter after busting to go, but wanting to keep sailing..... ended up stuck by my booties, so when I took them off wee gushed out all over the shop, it was like the love scene from team america
5mm all over, made for North Sea diving, used in it the U.K. when in winter we used to break the ice to get into the lake to go sailing 3mm boots, gath helmet, dinghy gloves
pissing in your suit might be great if your surfing and get washed over every minute, not so good when the winds low and your may not even fall in at all, and now they're all "blind stitched" meaning a lot less porous.
also for gloves a pair of washing up gloves is good for keeping windbite off when its proper cold
I've had an O'Neil Psycho Freak 4.5/3.5 for the last two winters and it very warm and too well sealed to pee in as it just doesn't rinse out - it stays almost dry inside. I've also just bought a 1mm neoprene rashie to wear under it if it is really cold - for some of those long mid-winter sessions at Sandy Point.
The downside of not peeing in it is that when the time comes I have to peel off the top half, often in the teeth of a freezing southerly storm!
As for helmets I've given up using my Gath and now use my ski helmet as it is far more comfortable and warmer, but has removable vent covers for warmer weather. It also holds in my fairly generously proportioned lug'oles which keeps the sun off them and gives me about an extra half knot in speed!
