Do You Need A Wetsuit For Bodysurfing? (Pros & Cons)

Before I started bodysurfing, I would watch videos of bodysurfers in order to learn the technique. I noticed some of them wore wetsuits while others did not. This made me wonder if a wetsuit is actually necessary for bodysurfing.

Do you need a wetsuit for bodysurfing? Wearing a wetsuit for bodysurfing is not required. However, there are a few safety reasons that may influence your decision to wear one.

In some instances wearing a wetsuit may prove to be beneficial while others times it is unnecessary. Let’s take a deeper look at the disadvantages and benefits to wearing a wetsuit for bodysuring.

Disadvantages of wearing a wetsuit for bodysurfing:

There are certainly a few drawbacks to putting on a wetsuit. Before you invest in one make sure you are aware of the following:

wearing the wrong size can weigh you down
highly recommended to not pee in a wetsuit
may feel restricting
can cause skin irritation
very expensive
not easy to take care of
difficult to put on and take off

Can you sink in a wetsuit?

The only way you would sink while wearing wetsuit size is if you bought the wrong size. Wearing a wetsuit that is too large for your body will allow water to easily enter the suit at the neck opening and weigh you down. A wetsuit is designed to let in a small amount of water but not so much that it causes you to sink.

Wetsuits that feature a high neck design are probably the best for bodysurfing. Unfortunately, this type of wetsuit construction is very rare. Therefore, it is important to get a wetsuit that fits snug so it can work properly.

Can you pee in a wetsuit?

You can pee in a wetsuit but I highly recommend that you do not. From experience, I did this once and wish I didn’t. The wetsuit traps the urine causing it to smell absolutely awful. Therefore you will have to hold your pee and be in discomfort if you have to go.

If you do urinate in your wetsuit then make sure to rinse it out and wash it thoroughly. You want to rid it of the pungent odor that lingers.

Another reason I advise against soiling your wetsuit is to prevent rashes. If you plan on staying in your wetsuit for awhile, soaking in your own urine can cause an uncomfortable skin irritation around your private parts.

Will urine deteriorate my wetsuit? For most modern designs and materials, urine should not weaken the integrity of your wetsuit. The seals and glue should remain unaffected.

Is a wetsuit constricting?

If you are not used to wearing a wetsuit then it can feel very constricting. I remember the first time I wore one and it made every bodily movement very difficult, even breathing!

I also think the thickness of the wetsuit plays a role in restricting your movements. I wore a super thick wetsuit for white water rafting once, which made any physical movement more challenging than the thin rash guard I’m used to wearing.

*Pro tip: Make fitting adjustments in the water by allowing some of it to enter your wetsuit, which breaks the vacuum tight seal. Continue to adjust as needed and the wetsuit will naturally settle into a comfortable fit around your body. You can then work any excess water that you feel lingering in your wetsuit.

Can a wetsuit cause rashes?

If you have sensitive skin then you should be aware that a wetsuit can cause skin irritation. If you wear it for several hours then you are more prone to getting a rash. Any time you wear tight, wet clothing this bodily reaction can occur.

Cost of a wetsuit

How much does a wetsuit cost? Wetsuits are a big investment for any bodysurfer’s budget. Depending on the type of wetsuit, you can pay upwards of $1000 for a high-quality, full wetsuit!

On the other hand, rash guards and shorties are more affordable. You can expect to pay between $20 – $75.

There are many factors that determine the final price of the wetsuit. It depends on the material and thickness. Also, the functional design and intended use of the wetsuit impacts the cost. Make sure to check out my wetsuit buyer’s guide to make sure you get the right one and save money.

Difficult to put on and take off

I’ll be the first to admit that I always have difficulty putting on a wetsuit and taking it off. I’m not that flexible so it only makes this feat more challenging. It always seems to get stuck or caught at some point along the way.

Plus, it adds more preparation time to your schedule so plan ahead. If you are impatient then wearing a wetsuit might not be for you.

Benefits of wearing a wetsuit for bodysurfing:

Why do you need a wetsuit for bodysurfing? The benefit of wearing a wetsuit is to increase your overall safety. It reassures you that you will be protected while in the water.

Here is a list of safety benefits you can expect to experience:

Keeps you warms & reduces chances of hypothermi
Increased buoyancy
Increased bodysurfing speed
UV protection
Jellyfish sting protection
Impact absorption & abrasion resistance
Drag reduction

Do wetsuits keep you warm?

Wetsuits are designed to keep you warm. When should you wear one? Wear a wetsuit when bodysurfing in colder climates or low water temperatures. This will allow you to stay out in the ocean longer.

Wearing a wetsuit will also prevent chances of hypothermia. Did you know you lose body heat much faster in water than being on land? Wearing a wetsuit can help preserve your core body temperature so this life-threatening condition does not occur.

Wearing a wetsuit is great if your skin is sensitive to cold water. It will minimize the amount of heat escaping your body so you can tolerate the cold temperatures thus making you feel more comfortable.

Do wetsuits help you float?

Do wetsuits increase buoyancy? Wetsuits do help you float better, which comes in handy for bodysurfing. Buoyancy improves your planing capability and ability to catch waves. Being able to float better will also help if you get caught in a rip current so you can easily swim back to shore.

Is bodysurfing in a wetsuit faster?

Bodysurfing in a wetsuit will make you faster because of the hydrodynamic forces. You will experience increased lift and reduced friction. The buoyancy of a wetsuit will enable you to travel farther and faster than if you were only wearing board shorts or a bathing suit.

Can wetsuits protect you from the sun?

Wetsuits can protect you from harmful UV rays. Even a thin longsleeve rash tee can protect you from the sun. If you plan on bodysurfing the whole day then I highly recommend you wear a wetsuit to help shiled your skin from UV rays.

Can wetsuits protect you from Jellyfish?

Wetsuits can protect you from Jellyfish stings. This is a safe practice if you plan on staying in the water for a long time when bodysurfing, especially if your beach is home to many Jellyfish.

Trust me, I have been stung more times than I can count. Sometimes my local beach is littered with Portugues Man-Of-War so now I wear a rash guard swim shirt if I plan on being in the water for a while. Any type of barrier that protects you from inadvertently coming in contact with harmful aquatic life will prove to be very beneficial.

Can wetsuits protect from abrasions?

Sometimes bodysurfing can result in cuts or rashes on your body when you bump into sand, rocks or coral. Wetsuits or rash guards can help in protecting you by acting as a defensive barrier between your skin and underwater objects.

Usually, I scrape my elbows on the sand when I bodysurf all the way to shore. Wearing a long sleeve rash guard helps to keep my elbows free of any cuts or scratches.

Do wetsuits reduce drag while bodysurfing?

Wetsuits are designed to make you more buoyant in the water. Therefore, the amount of drag is reduced when bodysurfing a wave. You will be able to ride higher thus minimizing the amount of friction while planing across the surface of the water.