WindSense is no longer in business.

As far as wet suits, I've always recommended 5 mm, not the 4mm, it's warmer and the price is pretty much the same, and you'll probably end up sailing in cold weather, Make sure the suit is mainly slick skin (not cloth covered.)

Welcome to the great sport of WindSurfing!

Gene

Welcome!
I miss Windsense.
There are a lot of good days for windsurfing in December and the water is still relatively warm, unlike today* ( 46º ) and well into March when things can be pretty frisky weather-wise Late fall is prime time, imho.
Cool looking board, btw– should be a lot of fun!

*Lanier water level, temp & other info: 770.945.1467
Conditions at Gilmer (airport nearest Lanier): 770.532.4687
Live lake cam (and current weather right on the shore): LLSC.com

Best cold full wetsuit (semidry) that I used. Add a shorty and you are covered.

http://www.gorgesurfshop.com/wetsuit/ion-2017-wetsuit-men-element-backzip-semidry-55

gene_mathis wrote:

WindSense is no longer in business.

As far as wet suits, I've always recommended 5 mm, not the 4mm, it's warmer and the price is pretty much the same, and you'll probably end up sailing in cold weather, Make sure the suit is mainly slick skin (not cloth covered.)

Welcome to the great sport of WindSurfing!

Gene

For clarification, many suits come with more than one thickness. You will see suits listed as 5/4, 4/3, 3/2, etc (actually my cold weather suit is a 5/4/3) so I am assuming Gene is recommending a 5/4. Look for a windsport specific suit, which is much different then a surfing wetsuit. I am a big fan of Neil Pryde suits...

Some good information on the different wet suit types here: http://www.wetsuit.com/2New_Wetsuit_Buying_Advice.html . Look at the link about windsport specific wet suits.

Pay extra attention to sizing. Don’t just go by letters. Use your real measurement.

First of all, welcome!

To expand on what Nitrojiber said, the different thicknesses are for different parts of the body. Say on a 5/4, the torso gets 5, the arms and legs get 4. What a better wetsuit gets you: stronger seams that don't leak over time. When the water is cold, any leak is quickly apparent. Better closure system. Better re-enforcements (knee pads, etc) and crotch (for harness straps). Better, softer neoprene that is easier to get on and off.

Please notice how we all tell you to get a wind sport specific suit with a slick outside. Fabric on the outside of suits (common in diving, surfing and triathlon suits) will absolutely chill you when the wind goes across it . Also, the arms have to be cut a little larger to accomodate the muscles in use. Too tight arms and wrists on a wetsuit are very uncomfortable.

Next: If you haven't already, take a bit of time and look at a bunch of tutorials on Youtube, etc. Jem Hall, Getwindsurfing, How to Windsurf 101 (also their website: http://howtowindsurf101.com/)

Next, next: Come hang with us. First, because we all have charming personalities. But, more importantly, we can help you rig correctly, give pointers, keep an eye on you, etc. Sure some of us have being doing this a while but we all started just like you (but probably with crappier gear.) We want you to have fun and make it as easy as we can. A few good tips can save you months of trying to figure something out on your own.

Here's a warm up

Like Ed said, sizing is very important. If possible, you need to try the suit on. Like NitroJiber, I'm partial to Neil Pryde suits, but have found their sizing doesnt work for me. Their charts say I'm a Medium, but I've always had to wear Large (5'10" 160 lbs.) If you're in the area, and are around my size, you are welcome to try on one of my suits. A wetsuit which too short in the crotch or too tight thru the chest is no fun.

Gene

I have an old full 5/4 suit that still has a few sessions in it (and a lot of goop sealing old leaks) you can have if you want it. Fits a 6'1" 175 185 lb me

Congrats! Nice board and sail. Fair warning, it can be very addictive! I'm with everybody else with the 5/4 suit and a shorty, covers everything from a chilly summer day to winter's colder water. I also like Neil Pryde or Oneil windsport suits, and also had to order a size larger for right fit. Probably should start seeing some closeouts with Spring coming, I jumped on a nice shorty that Webguy found that's still available:

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/np-surf-rise-shorty-wetsuit-2mm-short-sleeve-for-men~p~244hx/

Windward400 wrote:

You all are so welcoming and informative!

I didn't realize how important slick skin vs jersey skin distinction is till this thread. Two wetsuits that I am interested in are:

• Neil Pryde Mission 5/4/3 : https://www.npsurf.com/collections/mission-wetsuit/products/mission-bz-fullsuit-5-4-3?variant=877136969755
• Ion Strike AMP 5.5/4.5 : https://www.ion-products.com/water/men/wetsuits/strike-amp-backzip/semidry-5545-dl/

Based on the photos it looks like both suits have torso covered in slick skin, but extremities are classic neoprene. Would either one be a good choice for Lake Lanier, or do I need to find suits with more slick-skin coverage?

Thank you!

FYI, I’m 5’7”, 155lbs and wear a small (almost a Medium if I put on any more weight). The newer, higher end suits tend to have very stretchy neoprene that are forgiving. Way better than suits we were wearing 10-15 years ago.

Both of those suits look like next to top of the line. You definitely aren't cheaping out (a good thing). Maybe the 4.5/3.5 ION is enough unless you are going out on the coldest days. My 4/3 ION has been warm enough that I rarely use my dry suit. Let me double check tomorrow that it really is a 4/3 not a 5/3.

To confuse things, one more option, ProMotion: http://stores.wetsuit.com/windsport-wetsuits/
They are based in the Gorge (OR, near Portland, one of the epicenters of windsurfing). They have lots of sizing option.

Any of these options are good ones - well done. You won't go wrong. What we didn't want you to do is this:

One more thing, many of us learned to windsurf without any lessons. It’s doable, but looking back, I wasted so much time by not having one lesson. I wish I had done it. Whitecap Windsurfing in Augusta GA, offers one day lessons in late spring and summer. It’s a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, but it might be worth looking into. Also, and even better, you can learn more in one week sailing in Hatteras NC, than in one year sailing in Atlanta. It’s a great place for a trip even without windsurfing.

I had both Ion and Pro- Motion wetsuits. My first Pro Motion was very good. It lasted a very long time. My second Pro Motion was not very good and had a short life. I was also disappointed with the longevity of the Ion suit I owned.

My suggestion is to try the suit on in person. Sizing charts are pretty worthless.

Windward400 wrote:

Unfortunately I couldn't find any local shops that stock Ion or NP suits nearby, so I had to go the online route. I ordered a NP mission based on my measurements - hope it fits!

By the way, do we need a PFD per Georgia law?

No PFD required by explicit exception. We worked hard on that 20-25 years ago. You have a board that floats and the wetsuit helps. HOWEVER - in more challenging condtions, some of us wear some sort of additional flotation which may/may not be USCG approved. A lot of folks in lighter conditions elect not to wear them as they are hot and uncomfortable in the summer, it's a pain to be under the sail with one, etc. In heavier conditions, where there is a chance that your board can blow away from you and it's a long swim to anywhere, it's another matter. Ultimately, wear what you feel is appropriate for the conditions. Swimming in a 2+ foot chop is less fun than it looks on TV.

Partial thread (among the other discussion of Florida): https://windsportatlanta.com/comment/41722#comment-41722

Barrett as some openings in late April, early May for his Nags Head trip if you want to accelerate your learning curve from a year to about a week.