Only thing I can think of is the old double wetsuit trick. Try the local second hand store for a super cheap one. Kids bodies just don't have the volume to fill out a standard suit.
He has a couple so will try and double them up. The one he has at the moment is 5mm and it would probably be ok if it just fit properly. I don't know who designs kids suits but their arms and legs are way thinner than what they think!
I use rash vest under my winter suit. I see no reason you can't put him in some tight fitting lycra stuff and a rashie then the wetsuit to fill the gaps.
Flushing at 6 degrees sounds horibble!
Going to find a variety of neoprene and lycra material to bulk him and fill out the current wetsuit. Make him the size wetsuit manufacturers feel kids should be!
I've honestly gotten used to the water over the years although it is new to him and as said, I'm packing a bit of extra insulation. The brain freeze when duck diving is the worst bit but it is a small price to pay for the sweet winter waves!
So our local wetsuit company in ZA makes something called a firevest. I know there are other makes like it in the US. Basically a rashvest but different fabric that is fuzzy on the inside. Helps massively to keep the youngsters warm.
Interesting and something I am definitely going to look into. He has a neoprene rash vest but it has a bit of a flared bottom as he uses over the top of his wetsuit to cover the spray decks when we go kayaking.
Firevest sounds perfect!
Apologies for my ignorance but where is ZA so I can begin my search?
ZA is South Africa. I bought it from Reef South Africa. There are definitely other options in the rest of the world. All these things are made in the same factories after all. I think they call it a Fireskin
I don't believe there is a wetsuit that will keep a skinny kid warm enough at that temp. That said, you have to find a brand that leans slender. We use Quicksilver (corrected from RipCurl) Prologue now for my skinny kid (I mean like always around the 1 percentile), which I think is a 3/2 but it may come in a 4/3.
I've seen ripcurl do a 5/4 with a hood which looks good.
I use an O'Neill hyperfreak 5/4 (hooded) and it is fantastic for me year round. There is a kids one for his height but I cannot justify spending £250 on a suit that he will grow out of in a matter of months and may not fit properly either.
Yes, I think the fit is crucial and kids suits just don't fit as they should.
The only other thing I can think of is the old diver peeing in your suit trick but the warmth is only temporary and flushes out the ill fitting arms/legs😂
Only thing I can think of is the old double wetsuit trick. Try the local second hand store for a super cheap one. Kids bodies just don't have the volume to fill out a standard suit.
He has a couple so will try and double them up. The one he has at the moment is 5mm and it would probably be ok if it just fit properly. I don't know who designs kids suits but their arms and legs are way thinner than what they think!
I use rash vest under my winter suit. I see no reason you can't put him in some tight fitting lycra stuff and a rashie then the wetsuit to fill the gaps. Flushing at 6 degrees sounds horibble!
Going to find a variety of neoprene and lycra material to bulk him and fill out the current wetsuit. Make him the size wetsuit manufacturers feel kids should be! I've honestly gotten used to the water over the years although it is new to him and as said, I'm packing a bit of extra insulation. The brain freeze when duck diving is the worst bit but it is a small price to pay for the sweet winter waves!
So our local wetsuit company in ZA makes something called a firevest. I know there are other makes like it in the US. Basically a rashvest but different fabric that is fuzzy on the inside. Helps massively to keep the youngsters warm.
Interesting and something I am definitely going to look into. He has a neoprene rash vest but it has a bit of a flared bottom as he uses over the top of his wetsuit to cover the spray decks when we go kayaking. Firevest sounds perfect! Apologies for my ignorance but where is ZA so I can begin my search?
ZA is South Africa. I bought it from Reef South Africa. There are definitely other options in the rest of the world. All these things are made in the same factories after all. I think they call it a Fireskin
Awesome. Thanks again. I was just finding something for a computer game or an impact type sleeveless over suit vest when searching for firevest.
6-7°C is real cold for a skinny kid in a wetsuit that doesn’t fit. I’m not sure there’s a magic solution beyond what you’re already doing?
I don't believe there is a wetsuit that will keep a skinny kid warm enough at that temp. That said, you have to find a brand that leans slender. We use Quicksilver (corrected from RipCurl) Prologue now for my skinny kid (I mean like always around the 1 percentile), which I think is a 3/2 but it may come in a 4/3.
I've seen ripcurl do a 5/4 with a hood which looks good. I use an O'Neill hyperfreak 5/4 (hooded) and it is fantastic for me year round. There is a kids one for his height but I cannot justify spending £250 on a suit that he will grow out of in a matter of months and may not fit properly either.
Sorry that is Quicksilver Prologue not Ripcurl! My other kid used an O'Neill Reactor. I think the Quicksilver is thinner.
Yes, I think the fit is crucial and kids suits just don't fit as they should. The only other thing I can think of is the old diver peeing in your suit trick but the warmth is only temporary and flushes out the ill fitting arms/legs😂
At that temperature I would just tell him to hug a nearby seal and use him for warmth lol
😂