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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have had it with wetsuits

70 replies

Folicky · 14/07/2022 13:06

What an ordeal and what's wrong with bathing costumes! They're covered in sand after removal, then the hosing down and trying to dry before the next day. A bathing costume is 100x more straightforward. I don't like feeling cold so was drawn to them but I've had it! Are they not a bit pretentious for children when all they're doing is paddling in the sea? Oh and extra work for parents

OP posts:
Movinghouseatlast · 14/07/2022 13:10

I couldn't stay in the sea in the UK for very long without a wetsuit so although they do get heavy and sandy it's worth it to me.

If you can be in the sea without one then don't wear one. I wear a bikini underneath mine.

NeedAJobChange · 14/07/2022 13:11

YANBU.

I wild swimming in a costume all year round cos I can't be arsed with the faff of a wetsuit. Struggle to get on, struggle to get off. I end up freezing cold while I struggle out of it in winter or a sweaty mess getting in it in summer.

Harridance · 14/07/2022 13:12

I agree, I don't use them just for swimming in the sea, but I might if I was a surfer or something

Original poster
Folicky · 14/07/2022 13:18

I saw whole families at the beach yesterday in wetsuits and all they did was paddle. It's a lifestyle signifier thing now. But join me parents against this almightly faff! Unless you're a sea swimmer or something...in which case I salute you costume or wetsuit. Indeed there has been something very positive about the whole sea swimming initiative. I've seen a much greater demographic of women and range of bodies at my hotel swimming pool with beautiful suits and caps. I think they have more confidence....brought about by the sea-swimming. I asked where they got their beautiful retro caps you see, and was told they were sea swimmers and gave me a few brands

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 14/07/2022 13:19

Why would anyone put one on a child paddling in the sea?

Harridance · 14/07/2022 13:20

Folicky - I'm not even a fan of swim caps!

givemushypeasachance · 14/07/2022 13:24

Are they definitely wet suits or those "rash vests"/suits that are popular these days? I think the idea with the latter is they're UV protection and more coverage than typical bathing costumes or trunks. If a kid doesn't like having sun cream put on, or it washes off/attracts loads of sand, then you've got much less exposed skin to worry about if they're wearing a suit with sleeves and legs.

Fenella123 · 14/07/2022 13:29

I think with kids, it protects from sunburn, and keeps them from developing that blue-lipped cold-kid look that goes with loud protestations that they are NOT COLD!!!

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 14/07/2022 13:32

because the North Sea is freezing!

SaSamhradh · 14/07/2022 13:35

They don't need hosing down and the sand will just brush off.
kids can play for hours on cold beaches ( West of Ireland). I don't bother with one for myself

MarthanotMarfa · 14/07/2022 13:39

I think it likely, as has been said, that you’re seeing UV suits/rash tops and leggings. They’re universally worn now for sun protection and very popular. In Australia pretty much every child wears them and a lot of adults and I think things are going that way here now. I live in a seaside town and have noticed the same.

Christinatheastonishing · 14/07/2022 13:40

Fair enough if you don't like or need then but I can't understand why you're getting so worked up about other people using them.

And a 'lifestyle signifier', seriously?!

SometimesMaybe · 14/07/2022 13:45

have you been in the sea off the north east coast of Scotland recently OP? They are a palaver but mine keeps me
toasty warm. It’s the difference between my children being in the sea for about 30 seconds and up to an hour. They have boots and gloves too.

it is a total pain in the next getting them dressed before and in dressed afterwards so I am with you on that but we live by the beach and all the children here are in and out the water in summer. I feel sorry for the poor kids that are sent off into the sea with nothing but their swim suits on!

SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound · 14/07/2022 13:52

Dunk them in a tub of water to rinse off the sand and chuck them into the washing machine for a spin cycle, hang them up and they’ll be dry the next day. If they’re really sandy my kids take them off in the sea, rinse them and put them into the big plastic tub to take home.

It was freezing and raining with a North wind on the beach this morning, but with wetsuits we were warm and no one had blue lips and had to be hauled out of the water while they protested they were just fine...

Then we came home, did the above and the wetsuits are half dry on the line already.

Bazinga007 · 14/07/2022 13:52

Wetsuits are for surfing, jet skiing etc. They aren't for paddling or proper swimming.

ditalini · 14/07/2022 13:53

Yep. They're brilliant on Scottish beaches - we only bother with shorty ones though as that seems to give enough coverage to keep warm enough if back in and out of the water on a cold, windy day (ie top summer conditions).

The uv protection is a plus as fair skinned ds unfortunately takes after me and can get his back burned through clouds even in Scotland.

Morverner · 14/07/2022 13:58

DD sea swims a lot, so has one, Irish Sea isn't the warmest, one of us takes it in the shower with us for a rinse.
But in summer /autumn we swim in long sleeve rashies and leggings, with neoprene wetshoes. It's surprising how much difference having a long sleeve/leg layer makes even if it isn't a wetsuit.

Original poster
Folicky · 14/07/2022 14:08

No, not rash vests and shorts. I'm all for them.
Applying 50spf to children to have then breadcrumbed in sand 5 seconds later and crying about the abrasion is not my idea of fun. I think rash vests are the middle ground and best.

OP posts:
Hotchox · 14/07/2022 14:13

I've found a couple of rash vests (one long sleeved, one short) to be an excellent compromise. HTH

LemoniaLemon · 14/07/2022 14:33

Yabu
Family of wetsuit wearers on the coast of Scotland here. We were out yesterday for hours paddleboarding, swimming and boogie boarding in the sea (interesting fact, the sea here is colder in summer than in winter due to the currents) and there is zero chance you'd get me in without the warmth of my wetsuit. I HATE the cold. Honestly didn't feel it yesterday. We have the suits and boots and wouldn't be without them. Pita to get off but a rinse and the sands off!

RandomDentist · 14/07/2022 14:42

I’m all in favour - the kids can spend literally hours in the water from May through to October, in cold water.

RockinHorseShit · 14/07/2022 14:42

Give me a wetsuit any day, our local seas are seeing way to many jelly fish atm, including some more toxic ones. I'm prone to bad reactions to stuff like this, so I'll gladly take my chances with judgey knickers over jellyfish

Alwayswonderedwhy · 14/07/2022 14:50

Our kids wore them when they were younger to swim in the north sea, it meant they could stay in longer without turning blue. Never realised a wetsuit could be seen as pretentious!

10HailMarys · 14/07/2022 15:37

Fine if you're not keen on them yourself - never worn one, but they always look quite uncomfortable to me. But it's a bit weird that you're annoyed by other people's kids wearing them.

I don't think I've really seen kids wearing actual wetsuits, as such - only those little all-in-one swimsuit things with short legs and sleeves that are meant to stop them getting burnt. The ones that look like a short wetsuit, but they're really just like an all-in-one trunks and rash vest kind of thing. I've not really observed any kids having a paddle in head to toe neoprene!

Fluffruff · 14/07/2022 15:41

Haha I just bought one for my daughter! She feels the Cold and we live by the North Sea so figured she might stay in longer with one on