Dry Suits?

[Spencer R]

I was looking at getting a drysuit for the fall and spring riding in Utah, and when I head back to BC, for the coast riding. I just wanted to get the forums users experience as to what would work best for kiteboarding? Looks like ocean rodeo has 4 products and one new product - Pyro Surf Dry, which looks pretty sweet.
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/drysuits.php
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/surfing/reviews.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcYBPvrgDn8
Ya those guys are from up in my neighborhood, so i'm trying to get a hook up from up there.
Any other manufacturers to look at? Recommendations for drysuit kiteboarding?

- Spencer

Anyone riding today? Looks like it is coming north strong, but cold.

[Marty Lowe]

The OR drysuit has added many comfortable days to my spring and fall kiting.
My only regret is that I didn't get one years ago.
Doug and I were out this spring at Lincoln beach in sub 45 degrees. we both put to much on under the drysuit and were sweating. Not sure what the cold limit really is.
Feet, face and hands become the limiting factor.

They are a little hard to swim in, they would take more energy to keep moving if you had to swim.
They also make dragging back to your board a little more difficult.

I wear the same warm clothing under the drysuit that I wear under my ski clothes.

I have the Pyro Pro. but the classic is as good, just less features.

Jon is an Ocean Rodeo dealer and will give UWA members good deals.
Locals, Mark J. Steve M. and Todd have bought OR suits from Jon this year.

-Marty

[lesvierra]

Hey Spencer. I have two days experience with my new OR Pyro Pro drysuit. Not really enough experience to know alot, but its quite comortable riding and I like it. I'm excited to try and keep on riding as long as possible and start up in the spring as early as possible. Its alot of money to through down for a little riding in the fall and spring, but in the long run, if it holds up, should be worth it.

I was also looking at the close fitting/stretch OR drysuit. If I new I'd spend more time in the surf, I would have bought that one. You should try get it and let us know how it works. Talk to Jon for sure.

[RickHeninger]

Spence,

Drysuits change everything... Your muscles stay operational longer... And operational muscles are just kind of important when you're kiting/sailing... Yeah, I used to where a drysuit even in warm months in colder water and it would add a couple of hours atleast to my sessions, and they were more effective sessions because I didn't care one bit about falling in...

Since my drysuit more or less gave up the ghost (actually had a couple pinholes, but it was still perfectly operational, I just couldn't get myself to replace the seals again, the colors were 1990!) after having it for 13 good years (replacing the seals 4 times) I've used a full wetsuit which has surprised me as to how warm it is, but I will probably be getting another drysuit here pretty soon. I did actually buy an O'neil Boost a couple years ago and didn't keep it because the seals aren't covered by other material like my OS Systems drysuit's seals were for UV protec. I think the OR's are really good that way.

If you go with a breathable (Gore Tex type material) they are very expensive. But you don't sweat. I remember sailing at Grantsville in November with my drysuit...

As to the limits of temperature to which Marty was referring, I've concluded that 48 degrees (at least that's what PVU read) is the limit to comfortable riding... Anything below 48 degrees is going to result in some serious pain! Forehead, fingers, feet... Really fingers are the most painful part... But I have some new neoprene gloves, a 7 mil hoody and I'm going to test that limit again this year once I get my drysuit.

http://www.ossystems.com For a comparison... There is a Kiters Drysuit for sail at WindWing in Hood River... It has some killer features. I didn't buy it because it has a neoprene hip seal dividing torso from legs which seemed wierd to me. But the guy selling it (new/used) would probably take $150. (large)

[JimSouthwick]

Rick touches on the real Achilles heal of drysuits, latex seals. They're very effective at keeping the water out, but even the best ones seem to have a distressingly short lifespan. They can, of course, be replaced, but doing so is either (a.) a pain if you do it yourself OR (b.) expensive and inconvenient if you send the suit off to have someone else do it. An alternative is neoprene seals, which have recently started turning up on a few suits, for example:

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ... re_Code=MS

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ... re_Code=MS

It was (1.) seeing Rick using his OS drysuit at Lake Mohave AND (2.) the availability of suits with neoprene neck and wrist seals that rekindled my interest in drysuits a couple of years ago. So far my experience has been mostly positive; none of the seals has yet given up the ghost. However, they are not quit as totally waterproof as latex; I get a small amount of seepage past the wrist seals, annoying but not a serious problem. The Gul suits come standard with attached "socks" of VERY thick latex. I was initially skeptical, but decided to give them a try, and have so far have been pleasantly surprised. They (along with the from zip, a huge advantage despite some minor seepage) make getting in and (especially) out a snap. They do require you to wear somewhat larger booties.
My suit is allegedly "breathable", but I still sweat quit a bit if I wear too many layers inside.

An additional drysuit option is the all neoprene type, sort of a wetsuit with neck, wrist and ankle seals and a waterproof zipper. In my experience, they're a bit warmer than even the best wetsuits but not as warm as "real" drysuits, and a bit inconvenient because they all seem to feature a rear zip.

http://www.isthmussailboards.com/prodin ... er=NW77087

http://www.oneill.com/mens-products.php ... =99&id=860

[JimSouthwick]

Additional thoughts concerning drysuits;

Zipper placement is an important consideration. Traditionally, the waterproof zipper is installed horizontally across the back of the suit at shoulder level. As far as a suit for windsurfing/kiteboarding is concerned, this placement has two advantages : (1.) It makes getting in and out of the suit quite easy, and (2.) the zipper is out of the water unless the rider is in up to his shoulders, a fairly unusual event, at least for windsurfers. The major drawback is that most riders need assistance in closing a rear mounted waterproof zipper.

The alternative zipper placement, diagonally across the front, facilitates easy, unassisted zipper closure but makes getting in and (especially) out of the suit a bit more challenging. In addition, the lower end of the zipper is in the water whenever the rider is, making minor seepage more noticeable. On the plus side, a front zip can double as a "relief" zipper (at least for guys) greatly reducing the temptation to defile the suit.

[Augie]

I have owned several dry suits with latex gaskets for probably 25 years. One thing that I have learned is to take care of the latex and it will last much longer. The best way to do that is buy some SealSaver by McNett. It is a silicone based lubricant/conditioner that protects the seals and also makes it easier to slide your extremities through the gaskets. It costs about 5 dollars for a bottle and one bottle will last me about 2 years. Just apply about every 3-4 uses of your dry suit. I don't know where to get it locally but it is available on-line. Well worth the cost.

[RickHeninger]

Jim, I made the decision long ago to never "defile" any of my full wetsuits or heaven forbid my drysuit... My shorty on the other hand, no restrictions there! I mean, the drysuit, if somebody is defiling their drysuit, they may as well call homegirl at NASA and get some of those space age depends!

Heck, for that matter, how about some regular old depends... Takes me back to that conversation we had a while back at Mojave about lamentatious items we've purchased via infomercials! Good stuff.

[tjacques]

augie thanks for that bit of knowledge, i just bought a OR from jonand love it. i do wish i would have bought a front zip, but saving 150.00 was worth figuring it out. i have had a semi dry for 10 years that is worn out and has a rear zip. problem with a wet suit or a semi, is the second session is cold after standing around. a dry suit you will have more cohanes to get back in the water, imho.
todd, two d's

[lesvierra]

The OR Pro front zip has been real easy for me to get in and out of. BTW. My only concern are keeping the rubber in good condition. If I can follow Auggies recommendations, Im off in the right direction.

[JimSouthwick]

Rick,

The ideal of wearing Depends under our drysuits, while undoubtedly a good one, strikes a bit close to home for many of us poleboarders and certainly doesn't help our image among the darksiders!