How to get into and out of a front-zip wetsuit with eBodyboarding.com's Jay Reale

Tips and tricks to getting into and out of a modern front zip wetsuit.

[@ShreadsEBS]

I’ve never tried a front zipper wetsuit before. I panicked in the dressing room of Jack’s Surfshop trying to take it off, which is what led me to this video later on. Haha 😂

[@your_sister_is_a_female]

You watched this video while in the dressing room hahah legend

[@cascrubjay]

I got stuck in mine the first time too! That was more than ten years ago and I still recall the anxiety. Glad I’m not the only one.

[@christopherputney4031]

Thanks so much for posting this. I almost had a panic attack as well trying to get out of my Front Zip 4/3. Guys never like to ask for directions, and I had to swallow my pride and ask a guy in the parking lot if he had any tips, because I didn't want to rip my brand new $300 wet suit! LOL I will buy the changing mat and trunk liners from you guys in appreciation for your help! Aloha!

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Stoked I was able to help! It gets easier every time you do it. You sort of learn techniques and it becomes second nature.

[@fionarees9137]

I was stuck in my new wetsuit until I saw this video - popping the elbow saved me. Thanks!!!!

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Glad I was able to help!

[@JoDubu409]

I got stuck in mine new one too.. luckily I was in my bedroom !! LOL

[@michaeldew1508]

I just got stuck in mine, made it out and immediately came back to this video to watch allll the steps I missed. At least it burned some calories.

[@dannggg]

6:24 is the one you would want to remember. i remember my first time in one of these and i swear i almost had a panic attack lmfao

[@williamthomson3018]

Excellent demonstration Jay. I need to show this video to our students before they get to the beach. Too much time is spent wrestling into and out of front zip wetsuits. Thanks Jay. I'm an old surfing pal from Ocean City, Maryland.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Thanks William!

[@williamthomson3018]

@@eBodyboardingcom It's been a long time, but you may remember me as Bill. We spoke briefly @ our event at Barn 34 last June. 🤙

[@eBodyboardingcom]

@@williamthomson3018 For sure Bill! Hope everything is going well!

[@williamthomson3018]

@@eBodyboardingcom All is good, catching a few waves in the Sandwich Islands. 🌊🏄🏿‍♂️🤙🍍🥥

[@begemannracing]

Great video. Great education. Excellent explanation. Thank you.

[@surfingonmars8979]

Oh, for years I just assumed you had to cut your way out, so I just bought a new suit every day.

[@huttowild]

OMG I got stuck in my wetsuit after a solo snorkeling outing last week and I thought I was going to have a panic attack on the edge of the river hahaha. First time in a front zip wetsuit and I immediately came to this video!

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Ha, ha. I hear that a lot!

[@channel1channel139]

Thank you - the best video i found on this topic! :)

[@manuelvelez32]

Thank’s for the tip Master Jay 🤙

[@wilphred]

I went and tried on today and felt it like I was trying to escape a straightjacket.

[@darrisnelson5223]

You make it look so easy! I still struggle ... I wear a 4/3 chest zip with attached hood so a bit more challenging.😳 I bend over when I pull the neck/hood over my head ... I’ll try the head tilt. Thanks Jay!

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Practice makes perfect. I surf about 300 days/year, so that's a lot of putting on and taking off my wetsuits!

[@darrisnelson5223]

eBodyboarding .com good point about practice! A friend who’s in the water about 300+ days a year said when trying a chest zip for the first time “they should make this an Olympic sport!”😜

[@RomyIlano]

Thanks this helps so much !!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@soulfulwapechi]

Dude this was sooooo helpful!!!!

[@JayReale]

Glad to hear it!

[@brandonclaypool1533]

I love my basic wetsuit it's what I'm used to wearing plus it has the key pouch by the zipper... Xcel wetsuit is perfect for bodyboarding 🌊 I use a full neoprene suit so I don't stick to the board.. 💦

[@jams1533]

Tried this at home with my new chest zip. Felt like I was in a sauna😂

[@jezlucas3878]

Are they much warmer ? Iam scared to try one , always had back zips

[@clarencepalencia1697]

thanks I needed that tutor. I if yo can lower a little bit the price of the wetsuit that well be great I am thinking of buying one thanks

[@johnwatson8192]

I've just gone down a size from large to medium and my new front zip wetsuit (O'Neill Psychotech FUZE) is a lot better but I still get a bit of flushing down the back, I may try a neoprene scarf as my neck is not too large at 15". But what puzzles me is even if the neck was tight enough to make my eyes pop, why wouldn't the water find it's way in from the draw cord area?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Water can still get in. If you fall on the side of the drawcord, water can "shoot" into that overlapping neoprene.

[@LaChaineBienEtre]

i guess i'll go for a back zip one...

[@andreathomas8130]

I’m claustrophobic and scared to get into one and scared I can’t get out of it quickly enough.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Understood. The back zip style would be better for you I'd say.

[@luisoliveira211]

Thanks for this very useful video, I'm now about to buy the same Xcel Infiniti LTD suit you demonstrate tried at the store but to dress it up was really a challenge and stressful due to the friction of the rebound lining in the legs. Plastic bags in the feet (and maybe hands ?) are a possibility but I guess you tried with a 4/3 ? I'm thinking to buy the 4/5 and I suppose it would be rather harder as you cant grab and pull the NP so easily ? Thanks

[@eBodyboardingcom]

A dry wetsuit is a lot easier to put on than a wet one. Other than that, yes, the thicker the suit, the tougher it will be to get on, until you've used it a few times and "stretched" it out a bit.

[@krakenbodyboarding365]

@@eBodyboardingcom se estiran ? Luego de varios usos? Saludos

[@marytapioca]

What if I'm 61, and have slight bursitis in my shoulders? It's hard to get out of the suit.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Then for you, I'd suggest a backzip suit.

[@michaeldew1508]

I WISH the new DryLock suits slid over the shoulder that easily. I'll keep trying 🙂

[@jezlucas3878]

Hi, would you say avoid having suits with smoithskin on chest for bodyboarding? Just concerned it tears easily

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Yes, the problem with smoothie chests is that they stick to the board and don't allow you to slide up and back, left and right, which is critical to controlling your board.

[@jezlucas3878]

@@eBodyboardingcom many thanks Jay, you guys have helped me so much in getting back in the water . Absolutely love my new found way to ride waves ...stoked

[@wave._.hunter]

I’ve been trying to learn 360s but I always wipe out halfway through when I’m facing backwards. Any advice?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Lots of great instructional vids here: kzbin.infovideos

[@barclaysauers255]

Stick with 175's!

[@dodeebanger]

Try wiping out after you're past the halfway point

[@andydunn5673]

Thanks

[@MuerganoZFG]

Go comando! Lmao love it

[@crazyoldmaninthewoods]

What was the wetsuit, looks really nice?

[@eBodyboardingcom]

That particular suit was an XCel

[@nancybashista1390]

Thanks for this helpful video. Luckily, I don't have to wear a wetsuit when I surf :-)

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Thanks for watching even though you didn't need to. :)

[@nancybashista1390]

@@eBodyboardingcom No problem.

[@andydunn5673]

I have a thick winter suit And I cannot get it over my shoulder Crikey Someone should tell people how hard this is to do

[@JayReale]

Yeah, people with exceptionally broad shoulders struggle with front zip suits.

[@andydunn5673]

@@JayReale yea that’s me. Can get it on alone but not off. Better try again tonight. If not I guess it’s to return which is shame as this is the best wetsuit I’ve bought

[@Vivi_Vivi835]

Mel Gibson just dislocates his shoulder to get out. Simple.

[@coreyacre6070]

What is the brand name of that suit.

[@eBodyboardingcom]

That particular suit was an Xcel. I am currently wearing NeedEssentials suits.

[@barclaysauers255]

I checked with my care giver to see if she could help me with this. She wanted to know if it was really hard. Oh ya, I said. Later on she agreed!

[@eBodyboardingcom]

For sure. Front zips aren't for everyone. Back zips are much easier to get into and out of.

[@clarencepalencia1697]

I am 13 years old what size do I get. I am also 5'1

[@eBodyboardingcom]

Every brand has a different size range. Check our "size chart" link on the site.

[@RoninGroupUK]

drylock ?

[@JayReale]

Yes, that was an Xcel Drylock.

[@amylimplatya117]

It’s harder when the suit is wet 😭

[@joshsnyder5759]

Chest zips are the Devil.