[Closed] Wetsuits.

Depends on how much you feel the cold.
At those temps I'd go for a 2.5 or 5mm shorty.

Buy a couple from Decathlon - M and L - and keep the one that fits best.
You want a wetsuit to be as snug as possible for it to work properly, and they'll stretch a bit in use.

A mate just got Lomo wetsuits for him and family. Seems to rate them, albeit he has a contact for reduced prices. They're not at the pricey end of the range, though.

Measure your height, weight, chest size and give a specialist shop a ring. Best thing I did for my swimming wetsuit I bought in June. Great advice over the phone, in the current circumstances. Different makes have different fits, neoprene etc. I used Wetsuit Centre and couldn't fault them.

Water temps in spring are nearly as cold as winter.

We got our kids Aldi ones for a recent trip to Cornwall water was 16C so warmer than spring but they were happy all day

Only cost a tenner

SUP on flat stuff? i.e. is the outdoor centre a lake or sheltered water?

If this is for you and the idea is to actually paddle (rather than kids looking to use it as a platform to dick about on and launch themselves into the water) then no wetsuit required imo. I'm yet to fall off this season and have done cira 120 miles of paddling. My usual attire is a pair of kayak shorts and a rash vest. Maybe a thermal rash vest if it is colder and I've been known to put a kayak spray top on if the weather is grim. Then a baseball cap or floppy hat to keep the sun/drizzle out of my eyes and a pair of sunnies. Sometimes a hip camelbak for a bit of fluid if I can't be arsed to reach down to a bottle under the bungies.

This is me in the north of Scotland too. Basically SUP is a low wind sport - it is zero fun (until you get into downwinding) in more than circa 6kts of wind. Personally any more than 4kts forecast and I'm on my bike or open water swimming. A low wind sport not actually in the water in the spring and summer means little or no wind chill and the wet stuff effects no more than your ankles. It's not a wetsuit sport imo.

If I was going out with the intention of going in (surf sup) I'd put my summer steamer on. Gul work well for the stockier shaped british male! Snugg if thinking custom made. But if I was paddling for exercise and not getting in the water too frequently I'd be way too hot in a wetsuit in summer esp. Extra effort on your shoulders too.

Needs essential wetsuites

Think water temps 12 > 18 deg C range.

That's quite a range - 18 is balmy, 12 is bloody freezing.

That’s quite a range – 18 is balmy, 12 is bloody freezing.

Good point. I balk at swimming in 11 degree water (12 is probably the cutoff for me) and that's with a wettie, swimhat & neoprene gloves, whereas 18 degrees I'd happily swim in nothing but trunks for 20-30 min or so.

Anyone tried the Alpkit Lotic wetsuits? Or any other of the Alpkit ones?

whereas 18 degrees I’d happily swim in nothing but trunks for 20-30 min or so.

I would also consider what facilities are onshore as well.
When paddling at lee valley I may dress lighter than if I was out on a proper river trip. Since, if I do screw up and take a cold swim, I can be inside in a minute or two.

Anyone tried the Alpkit Lotic wetsuits? Or any other of the Alpkit ones?

Got the terrapin and will get the silver tip when my size is in stock.

I like it for the price. It's not a triathlon race suit but an open water swim suit I'd say. But I like that about it have owned and raced in suit 3 or 4 times the price. Tough and durable for a swimming wetsuit and pretty comfortable. I think the buoyancy (neoprene thickness in the torso and the legs) of the lotic is closer to straight triathlon suit but not tried it.

It is still a swimming suit though - would only handle sensible use if you were buying it for messing around on vessels and rocks.

If it's where I think it is -berts?

Then the range is correct it's a purpose dug open water swimming and human powered water sports center ... Ie shallow with lots of surface area for the sun to heat and good sun cover.

Thanks convert, that’s pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear. I have done a few triathlons but always at the non competitive end of the field. However now I just want to do more open water swimming.

The Lotic sounds ideal for what I want to do. And if I do end up really enjoying it would maybe splash out for the Silver Tip though where I see me doing most of my swimming is a reservoir that’s quite shallow and never gets that cold really.

Thanks again for the feedback.