Stretch Surfboards

Stretch Surfboards

Even if you surf in the warm waters of California, Florida or Hawaii chances are you will still need a surfing wetsuit if you're looking to extend your time in the water and the months of the year you can enjoy the waves.

Water, even relatively warm water, robs your body of heat; over time you will find yourself uncomfortable and may even experience negative health effects. In order to keep all of this at bay you need to invest in a surfing wetsuit that suits the environment, your body and needs.

Wetsuits are almost exclusively made with a synthetic fabric called neoprene and do not keep you completely dry. The suits allow small amounts of water through the suit and that plus your body heat helps insulate you from the cold.

When looking for the right surfing wetsuit you need to consider the following:

Length

Suits comes in a variety of shapes but the two most popular are "shorties" and full length suits. Shorty suits cover the entire torso but have short sleeves and legs. A full suit, as the name notes, covers the entire body with the exception of the feet and hands.

What suit you need depends on the temperature of the water and your budget. Full suits are more expensive and can be more restricting compared to shorties.

Thickness

The neoprene that wetsuits are made out of is measured in millimeters and the thickness you need is a function of water temperature. The thickness of a suit will be listed like this: 4/3 mm. The first number represents the thickness of the body while the second is the thickness of the appendages.

Kind of Neoprene

Neoprene comes in a variety of variations but the most important two are normal neoprene and super stretch neoprene. Super stretch is more expensive than regular and so is often just used strategically on a wetsuit to keep the costs down.

A suit with 30% (the bare minimum for surfing) super stretch will cover the back, arms and chest; everything else is normal neoprene. This gives you the mobility you need to surf properly. A suit with 60% will have super stretch material cover the torso, short sleeve arms and legs down to the knees. A suit with 100% will be completely made out of super stretch neoprene.

The more super stretch neoprene a suit has the easier it is for you to move but it will also cost you more. Balance your budget against what you need to do what you do on a board.

A lot of more experienced surfers have preferences when it comes to zippers, seam construction and extras but in the end the three areas above are what you need to look at.

Thanks for reading my article on picking the perfect surfing wetsuit.

If you're looking for wetsuit reviews and the best deals on all kinds of wetsuits stop by Wetsuit-Reviews.com.

Surfboards $10 Surfboards

Xcel Stretch Rashguard (Girls) (Pink) $28.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Honolua Stretch Five Boardshort (Black) $55 The Honolua Stretch Five boardshorts are made from stretch material allowing for premium shred capability. They feature a drawstring closer, two tone stripe down the left side, single side pocket with button and velcro closure, and Honolua patch logo on the lower left side.

Xcel Stretch Solid (Boys) (White) $28.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Honolua Stretch Five Boardshort (Harbor Blue) $55 The Honolua Stretch Five Boardshort is a regular fit stretch boardshort with stripes down the sides, a single side pocket, and Honolua patch logo at lower hem.

Xcel Stretch Tank Top (COBALT) $29.95 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features hemmed waist, hemmed sleeves, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts

Xcel Stretch Tank Top (WHITE) $29.95 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features hemmed waist, hemmed sleeves, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts

Xcel Stretch Tank Top (BLACK) $29.95 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features hemmed waist, hemmed sleeves, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts

Xcel Solid Stretch Rashguard (Girls) (White) $28.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (WHITE RASTA) $29 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on waist, hemmed sleeves, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve (Girls) (Blue) $37.5 The Xcel Stretch Longsleeve Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (ALLOY WHITE) $46 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (BLUE ASTER) $27.5 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (GRAPHITE GOLD) $27.5 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel Stretch Solid (Boys) (Blue Aster) $28.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve (Boys) (Grey) $37.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve (Boys) (White) $37.5 The Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Honolua Stretch Five T Shirt (Black) $26 The men's Honolua Stretch Five tee is made of 94%cotton/6%organic cotton. It features a small logo at the chest and an enlarged logo at the back, and a chest patch pocket.

Xcel L/S Stretch Top (White) $44 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features hemmed waist and hemmed sleeves.

Billabong Malice Pants (RAW INDIGO STRETCH) $86 Billabong Malice Pants are made with polyester/cotton/sorona blend material. These stretch denim pants feature a slim leg fit, a button fly, classic five pocket style, and a satin woven label at the back waistband.

Xcel Xcelerator LS Neo Stretch Top (Assorted) $75 ENGINEERED FIT FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE: Features 1mm UltraStretch upper sleeves, UltraStretch, collar, 1mm easy on off SuperStretch back; and 8 ounce stretch fabric under sleeves. Nylon lined front helps prevent flushing. LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for boardshorts. Elastic cord with cinch in waist.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (White) $33 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features hemmed sleeves and waist, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts

RVCA Romero Stretch Twill Pants (Dark Khaki) $59 Hop into the RVCA Romero Stretch Twill Pants before heading to the skate park and you'll really feel like a pro. These cotton/spandex blend pants have a classic five-pocket style, a button and zipper fly, medium rise, straight leg fit, a woven logo label a the left hip, and LR custom embroidery at the back right.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (WHITE RED GRAPHITE) $43 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (INDIGO ALLOW BLACK) $43 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel GIRLS LYCRA L/S Stretch Top (White) $36 UPF (UltraViolet Protection Factor) 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this 4-way super stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features stretch binding on waist, hemmed sleeves, and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel S/S Stretch Top (DEEP RED FLORAL) $27.5 UPF factor 50+ rated, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, this S/S 4-way stretch top is engineered for sun protection and performance. Features Stretch binding on arms, hemmed elastic waist and Xcel's LOOP IT OR LOOSE IT waist loop for securing to boardshorts.

Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve (Boys) (Blue Aster/White) $42 The Xcel Stretch Solid Longsleeve Rashguard is made with 8-ounce 4-way stretch fabric. UltraViolet protection is excellent, blocking over 98% of harmful UVA/UVB Radiation. An engineered, durable, and comfortable fit make this rashguard top of the line in protection and function for your little beach bums.

Bing Surfboards $19.99 Bing Surfboards - Tin Sign

Nine Surfboards $34.99 Nine Surfboards - Giclee Print

FCS SF4 Printed Stretch Quad (SF4 Rear Fins) (Glass) $56 Side Center Base: 4.48 / 114mm Depth: 4.48 / 114mm Area: 15.15² / 9776mm² Sweep: 30.7° Foil: IFT

Xcel NeoStretch Xcelerator (Alloy Black) $77.5 The NeoStretch Xcelerator by Xcel. Ultra Stretch 1mm upper sleeves; 4-way stretch performance fabric undersleeves, super stretch 1mm easy on & off back panel, nylon lined front helps prevent flushing. LOOP IT OR LOSE IT waist loop ties to boardshorts for a secure fit. Elastic cord with cinch waist.

Billabong Superior Boardshort (boys) (Blue) $48 The boy's Billabong Superior boardshort is made of 87%polyester/13%spandex. It features a 22 zero gravity stretch, Andys Platinum X quad stretch boardshort, an oversized engineered geo print and wave logo applique.

Billabong All Day Boardshort (Lifeguard Red) $45 The men's Billabong All Day boardshort is made with 100% polyester. It features a Platinum X Quad Stretch boardshort with H2 Repel, strategic paneling for superior stretch and logo screenprint detailing. 21 HYDROSTRETCH

Quiksilver Cypher Paradox Boardshort (Navy) $59.5 The Quiksilver Cypher Paradox Boardshort is a high performance 4-way stretch boardshort, with a 20 outseam, double tie with the new neo fly 2.0, stretch hems, and Quiksilver logos. 88% Polyester and 12% Spandex

Billabong All Day Solid Boardshort (Black) $45 The men's Billabong All Day Solid boardshort is made of 100% recycled polyester. It features a platinum X quad stretch with a H2 repel, a strategic paneling for a superior stretch, a logo screen print, and a drawstring waist closure.

Billabong All Day Boardshort (Royal Blue) $45 The men's Billabong All Day boardshort is made with 100% polyester. It features a Platinum X Quad Stretch boardshort with H2 Repel, strategic paneling for superior stretch and logo screenprint detailing. 21 HYDROSTRETCH

Honolua Equator Unlimited Boardshort (Black) $55 The Honolua Equator Unlimited Boardshort are a standard fit boardshort built with Honolua Unlimited Stretch Technology. They feature a single side pocket with zip closure and ultimate stretch to keep you ripping with ease.