surfing wetsuit OK?

[H-MAN]

I have an option to buy my friends Rip Curl full length wet suit which he used for surfing for $20. What I'd like to know is if a diving wetsuit is different than a surfing wetsuit. I've looked it over and it doesn't have any built in flotation pads but I don't know if there are any significant differences that would make this a bad suit for free diving.
Thanks,
Brian

 

[cdavis]

A surfing wetsuit will work fine if it keeps you warm enough. Freediving suits are different in a lot of ways, but mostly related to keeping warm with the minimum rubber. At that price you can hardly loose.

Connor

 

[Lockedin]

I have an option to buy my friends Rip Curl full length wet suit which he used for surfing for $20. What I'd like to know is if a diving wetsuit is different than a surfing wetsuit. I've looked it over and it doesn't have any built in flotation pads but I don't know if there are any significant differences that would make this a bad suit for free diving.
Thanks,
Brian

I regularly dive SoCal in a Ripcurl Ultimate Elasto 3/2mm. Diving may trash the suit a bit quicker, but what is a wetsuit for?? No float cushions is by design, and not a bad thing for freediving (you need to get down there, right?); using the same 3/2mm suit as above, I wear 4lbs on my weight belt to get neutral around 15ft down (generally hunting in 30ft or less), as opposed to wearing 18lbs to do the same when wearing my Excel 6.5 onepiece.
As said above, for 20 bucks, it's really a no lose.

Also, where are you using the suit? Nor Cal and UK can get COLD, while SoCal & tropical places stay relatively warm.

Oh yes - the best part - Whatever you do, make sure to claim your suit by peeing in it as often as you have the opportunity, this will help to wash out your friend's pee too :yack rofl

Have Fun!

Rick

 

[penguinator]

Like people have said. $20 is a bargain but you have to be carefull.

Unless your friend has the exact same body type to you, it will be a bit of an awkward fit. After a while, the wetsuit moulds to your bodyshape. Although you may fit into it, you will find it is loose or too tight in some areas, mostly underarms, around the neck, back of the knees, and the crotch area. Thus the reason you should never let anyone else use your wetsuit

Another thing I found with diving using surfing wetsuits (I still surf alot) is the zipper and neck closure. If its a newer ripcurl wetsuit it wont be too much of a problem due to them being released with a second layer of neoprene that folds between the zipper and your skin which minimises water flow.

 

[sheepeck]

I also dive in surfing wetsuit. Even two layers - short sleeve and long pants overal plus long sleeve shirt. Both about 3/2 mm, so I have 2 mm on arms and legs and about 5 mm on body. (And still sometimes feel cold - would you believe it? On Hawaii???)
Well, and sometimes I do feel bit squeezed, but I got used to it.
And I'm afraid to try some open cell freediving suit - I guess I wouldn't wear that my multilayer armour anymore.

 

[argus66]

i only use surt wetsuits because i surf more than i freedive cant see buying a seperate wetsuit. good luck with it.