Winter wetsuits for children

[AIMD]

Anyone bought a decent winter wetsuit for their children. Mine are 5 and 7. We are at the beach a lot so I’m wanting to invest in a decent wetsuit so they can manage longer in the sea to try surfing etc.

I’ve seen decathlon do one for around £50

Yes but we paid £100 for our dc but that was to use in winter when cold
Summertime use just bought cheap £25 ones

If not fussy some surf shops sell second hand ones

Thing is, for a wetsuit to be really effective in cold weather it needs to fit really well, and probably be full leg/arm, which makes it pretty difficult to get in and out of for an adult, let alone a cold five year old, so it's a bit of a trade off.

If you live near the coast I'd definitely consider hiring one to try it out before investing, and then hire places often sell off old stock too.

(Voice of experience, having spent a very sweaty ten minutes getting 8 year old DD into a decent hired wetsuit for surfing last year).

Do they actually enjoy getting in the sea in winter? Even with a wetsuit it's still kind of cold. Mine can get in up to her waist (she's 8) and that's about it. I would definitely hire and try one out next winter (not now) and see how they get on first.

They have had summer weight 2/3 wetsuits for ages but I know from when I had a summer wetsuit that they just aren’t anywhere near as warm as thicker, winter ones.

I’m not intending to get them in the sea over winter, but using the winter one to extend the time they manage in the sea over summer and maybe allow us to go in the sea earlier/later in the year. Although my son has run in up to his waist over winter....only to get annoyed when he is freezing cold.

I think hiring one is a good suggestion.
I hate getting in and out of my wetsuit so there is a chance my youngest just wouldn’t put up with the fuss of it. Think my oldest would be fine though because he loves the sea and was fine with his summer wetsuit.

Might hire one and see how they are with them. Decent wetsuits age expensive so I guess at least if I have hired one first I’ll know if there is a big issue with them getting in one.

@worriedatthemoment

Yes but we paid £100 for our dc but that was to use in winter when cold Summertime use just bought cheap £25 ones

Do you mind me asking what make winter wet suit you got?

I think its sola or oneil ? Dh has an oneil one and gul and ds2 has a gul one