New wetsuit

I picked up my new wetsuit today. It is a Hotline that you pour youself into from the top. In other words, you have to stretch the neck enough to step into it and pull it up. There is a very small (about 6-8 inch) front zipper. I had to try it out and headed over to the Hook, Santa Cruz. Not much in the way of waves; small and inconsistent. But I haven't been in the water for about a month so I was really happy to be in salt water, rather then the swimming pool.

I had the arms and neck altered on the suit and it fits like a second skin. I'd give it a very definite thumbs up rating.

Now, it is time for a new board. I want something about 6'10'. My 7' is a Pearson and I've been extremely pleased with it, but I wonder if any of you could suggest other shapers that you like.

allen main up in garberville makes good boards, and at a decent price. the guy has 20 years + shaping and surfs the north coast, so he's familiar with the area from santa cruz north and will make whatever you are looking for. may be a bit north for you glenda, but figured i'd give the shout

did you get the deal I told you about at Cowboys, or was that a done deal there?

LOL, the first time I surfed with somebody else since the last contest, I'm sitting in the parking lot at Rockaway, talking to the other bsurfer, not paying attention and I put my wetsuit on backward.

I looked down, kept twisting the legs to get the kneepad lined up with my knee, then I see the neck flap in front of me.

kook.

Is Joey Thomas still shaping boards in your area? I had a few boards shaped by him years ago (when he was spending some time in Fla.) and they all seemed pretty good. Also had a couple boards by Johnny Rice that were okay.

hi glenda,

you might want to ask gioni. he had a board shaped by a guy over at sc fiberglass and has been pretty happy with it. got a nice deal as well.

the suit sounds a little odd. you described what sounded like a zipperless, but they put a zipper on it. maybe they have tried to be able to fit larger guys now. i've never been able to get in and out of a zipperless and the shops don't want to see any of the more football player shapes even try them on since they rip easy. though in your case, i know you wouldn't have had any problems with the zipperless.

i'm about ready for a new suit, though i almost always wait for last years model.

snip

I've got the same model suit Glenda was talking about.

the hole for the head is wider, then you pull a flap over your head from the back which zips horizontally across the front of the suit that seals around your neck.

Suit's comfy and flexible for my bsurfing. Frankly I find it easier to get in/out of than messing with the velcro and zipper.

On a good set a winter ago at a contest I actually had my zippered wetsuit taken off to the waist when I got thrashed on a late drop in the final.

My only beef is I wish I'd gotten the 3/2 instead of the 4/3, I'm a bit toasty in it even in winter, I find myself constantly letting water in to cool off a bit.

Nope, too late. I got this at the Hotline showroom on Swift St. in Santa Cruz.

Toasty is just what I'm looking for. I don't have that much body fat and in the winter, I tend to get cold even with gloves and a hood.