Ianovated, just some of the pioneers!

The unique wetsuit has a breath powered hand heating system; via a mouth piece and tubes that mainly run along the inside of the suit to your hands you can exhale warm breath into your gloves or palm less mittens when ever your hands ask you to do so.

You can become a pioneer Ianovated sailor for as little as £200 with a guarantee of your money back any time in the first 6 weeks of use if you don’t agree that this suit keeps your hands warm!

The suit is on offer for £250 (£100 off) together with a 6 week full refund guarantee; this means you get six weeks to try the suit in various winter conditions and learn how to tune it to your needs. If during that time if you do not believe it transforms your ability to enjoy your water sport in colder weather – simply pack up the suit and return it to Ianovated for a refund of your purchase price.

You can also become an active Pioneers; Ianovated will refund  you £25 on submission of your review and photo or £50 on submission of an action video and review!

To get find out more about Ianovated and how the suit can keep you sailing through the winter head to their website here. 

As we get deeper into winter and the nights draw in, unless you work night shifts, Mr ‘after work sailing’ has left us for another year!

I was therefore intrigued to find out what other fellow sailors did to keep themselves fit and healthy through the winter month…….how many of us actually do keep sailing (!?), what do people get up to on those ‘less enticing’ days!!

Get kitted up!

Many a dog walker has greeted me with strange looks as I get changed at the back of a van on a cold blustery windy day – I’m sure they must think we belong to some strange sect! But those of you who have braved those days, will agree, we often get blessed with some of the year’s best sailing!

But what if the weather really isn’t playing ball, when it really is just too cold to brave getting frost bite whilst getting changed behind the trusty van, or you best winter ‘get up’, just isn’t enough…….are there such days……….? I caught up with fellow RYA Windsurfing Coaches Jon Metcalfe, (The Army’s Windsurfing manager – a job in which you really can’t be seen to be a sissy!!) and Sam Ross (RYA OB Officer and Freelance Coach) to tell me what they will be up to this winter.

Windsupping; less windchill and you stay drier!

Jon is an all winter sailor, with some great tops tips …….”put as much rubber on as possible, buy yourself a decent single lined winter suit, use mitts not gloves to avoid the cramp, a decent balaclava, split toe boots all the way and don’t live in a mobile home during winter, it tends to lead to colds and flu!!”

Getting back to the serious side, when sailing is just not on the cards Jon’s ‘next best’ alternative suggestion is mountain biking or building a house………whereas Sam ‘no pain, no gain’ Ross, the ‘you can always get out’ optimistic chap, gets on the water as much as he can during the winter months, equipping himself, like Jon, with key clothing such as palm less mits and a hood.

Sam Ross demonstrating a new move on one of those glorious winter days!

With house building not really on Sam’s agenda right now, he spends winter days SUP’ing, as well as something we may not have all considered – Local Racing. “When you are exercising it’s not much different in temperature than going for a run ………..unless you fall in! I don’t just wait for the epic days to get out on the water, big sail weather is great during the winter. The wind-chill is a lot less and you are working hard blasting up and down with less likelihood of falling in” explained Sam.

“I tend to find it’s sweat in the wetsuit rather than cold water…… (Nice! Thanks for that Sam!), so bizarrely I tend to find it’s the lighter wind summer alternatives that make sure I stay active during the winter and don’t dry out.”

Supping gets you on the water rather than in it

But if winter really isn’t your bag, make sure you don’t lose that windsurfing fitness or next years ‘come back’ will just be that little harder!! So for those of you snuggling up to a warm fire this winter, here’s a few health tips from Bonnie at BFit (bonnie@alphaplusuk.com) to help ensure that first dip in 2013 is a good one………

Don’t let winter be a time to hibernate, resulting in your wetsuit feeling a little tighter when you wiggle back in to it and your first time back on the board a struggle. Take the opportunity to work on a different side of your fitness that otherwise gets pushed to the side, as let’s face it time on the water will always come first!

Cross training is a great way to keep in good condition but also rest repetitively used muscles potentially preventing injury. So shake it up a bit and challenge your body to new fitness heights enabling you to spend longer on the water.

Go get muddy in the woods either a mountain bike or with a refreshing runs through the woods utilising a wide range of muscle groups as you duck under branches, hop over tree stumps and leap over puddles.

But what if the British weather really does force us indoors……….. spinning, a challenging cardio or endurance session are all good alternatives, giving a good body workout, getting the heart pumping and burning plenty of calories! Always try and balance it all out with a mixture of core strengthening, posture improving, back strengthening and overall body balancing workout in the form of Pilates.

The centre of the body below your bottom ribs and above your pubic bone is called your ‘powerhouse’ consisting of the abdominals, pelvic floor, muscles around the hip joint and through the lower back. Pilates looks to strengthen these muscles which in turn protects against potential injuries. Pilates will also develop and maintain flexibility and mobility through the joints all which are priceless when jumping back on your board.

And for my favourite part……….food!! Bonnie’s advice is to enjoy nutritious stews and soups full of vegetables containing vitamins and minerals needed to keep energy levels up and the immune system on top form. Instead of filling a casserole pot full to the brim with red meat plump it out with puy lentils which are low GI and provides slow burning carbohydrates for sustained energy as well as a good punch of protein and fibre.

So is 2012/13 going to be the year you brave a full winter on the water……..? Remember there are lots of us out there! If you need a little extra encouragement, make your winter even more enticing by joining a club and meeting lots of like-minded people, taking part in some local racing or perhaps taking a few sneaky coaching tips at by nearest training centre. Details of all of these can be found by visiting ‘Find my nearest’ at www.rya.org.uk

You might also like to read:

Boards Wetsuit Guides. 

Keeping warm in Spartan!

At Spartan we do things differently. All our research and testing is completed in the cold waters of the UK, not in some tropical paradise whose most miserable conditions are still warmer than an average British summer’s day.

Building on 50 years of history and development we have engineered this new range of suits to raise Spartan’s glowing reputation in wetsuit construction to even greater heights.
Using feedback from our sponsored riders and development team we have created wetsuits that give maximum warmth, flexibility and comfort by using only the best construction, materials and features.

All aspects of the new Spartan range of high performance wetsuits have been analysed, tested, checked and double-checked. The attention to detail has been obsessive.

Thanks to this fanatical approach we have managed to achieve:

1. Flexibility and movement to compliment the specific sports.
2. Maximum warmth/comfort in extreme weather conditions

The sign of a good wetsuit is one that allows you to regulate your temperature over a wide range of air and water temperatures. Hence our R and D team tests our suits extensively all year round at home and abroad in the extremes of hot and cold water.

Lets bust a few myths….

The myth that a wetsuit traps a layer of water is an excuse for a badly made suit. All flushing uses valuable energy from the wearer to warm the next water layer up it is not an advantage.

The biggest myth is that double lined neoprene is warm in windchill, the National Physical Laboratory has proven that surface temperatures, and hence chilling, are in force three and above is greatly reduced by single lined neoprene and should be a windsports enthusiasts first line of defence against the cold.

Testimonials

Phil Dobner

Phil Dobner

The Vortex 5/3 is shit compared to sailing in board shorts but if you do have to use a wetsuit this has to be the closest you’re going to get for a 5mm suit! 
I don’t know what Voodoo technology you’ve used on the shoulders and arms but it’s like sailing in a Long John (which I actually quite like, it reminds me of my oppy days) 
I seriously could not feel any restriction on the arms at all, 
have you woven in a thin layer of the all curing rhino horn powder or used plain old Voodoo on the shoulders? 
The 3mm arms and shoulders are such a good idea…

Cheers guys, it let me land my first back loop, whoop whoop,  at 42 as well,  I thought it would never happen..   ( Phil Dobner April 2012 Shoreham beach)

Aron USA

I use a convertible version of their 4mm suit, I think it is.  Frankly, since I got your suit, I don’t use it unless it’s really cold out (in the winter storms, with the arms on).  What I like most of all about your suit versus the Patagonia suit is that it’s built specifically for windsurfing (which the other is built for surfing), and it has the capacity to deflect wind & shed water, which I really like a lot.  The wool in the Patagonia suit makes it a bit too hot as well for me. I run a bit hotter than most people, and so I’m trying to stay a bit more cool, which is another reason I like the sleeves off.  

Those are my thoughts off the top of my head.

Cheers,

Aaron

(August 2012 on the 4/3 convertible)

Martin Downing Aberdeen

see SUPer sunday!
Had some mental waves, but this seems to be the only evidence so far!
I was in your Xdry, toast warm throughout, watched many surfers give up with the cold, I came in at 6 in the dark! (Martin 2012 February)

John Pink and Richard Peacock commenting on the 3/3 Vortex

“Something I was massively amazed by is the steamer that you gave us. I always thought it was a 4 x 3, as I used it all winter and was pretty warm. It wasn’t until not that long ago I read on the sleeve 3 x 3 and was amazed that I had used it all winter when I usually had a 5,3 to do the same job!! ”

Dom Moore Extreme Kitesurfer and Surfer on the 3/3 Vortex

“Loving the Vortex suit, thank you. Since I got it, I’ve been in the sea probably 90% of days, surfing, bodysurfing, getting slammed into the sand, and now more recently that the wind is back, plenty of kitesurfing. It’s definitely a warm suit; I’m into my summer suit a lot earlier than my friends – the 3/3 combo seems very logical for the UK – there are still people here paddling around in gloves and boots though maybe they are a bit misguided! Feels very comfortable too and the neck seal is proving to be very reliable in all sorts of wipeouts. Wrist seals are good and the velcro on the ankles holding great so far, I’m really enjoying this suit for multi-discipline”.

Dom Moore (May 2011)

Corky Kirkman

BRILLIANT MATEY….GOING SWIMMING NOW IN WATERMAN SUIT…..LOVE IT…….TRYING IT ON A S.U.P FROM O’SHEA……SO WILL HIT THAT HARD TOO….K212 CORKY

Peter Hart

Peter Hart and the new XTR

Sorry this has been a bit late  - I got the new XTR winter suit, then the freeze came, then I went to Brazil – anyway  now I’m back and have been out in the weekend gales. The new XTR is quite simply the best winter suit I’ve ever used – in terms of flexibility it feels like a 3/2 and YET it’ toasty.
Great work too on the neck, arm and leg seals. Winter sailing has suddenly become appealing again!

Naomi Dines on her two new Spartan Winter suits

Just wanted to say how fantastic my new Ladies Cyclone 5/4/3 suit has been this winter. I’ve been out in 3 degrees with minus 5 extra windchill, and sea temps of 5 degrees, with only a shortsleeved polypro underneath, (plus hood and gloves) and been able to sail for a couple of hours at a stretch, which is pretty remarkable in a back zip suit, especially for someone just learning to sail in waves and spending plenty of time in the water! It’s also super stretchy and comfortable, especially the new neck, and really easy to get on and off. The lining seems to dry twice as fast as my other neoprene so the suit is dry overnight for the next session, which makes a real difference on the beach.

Adam Sims in the Spartan rigging jacket

Adam Sims K669 – about his first sail in a Spartan Wetsuit in  cold cold cold December 2010

“Hi Guys,

Got out at last, yesterday. Used the Extreme Dry and it rocks! The legs are super warm, in fact the whole thing is, although i felt like i had a mini heater around my legs which was really nice. Once I was sailing I didn’t notice the zip across the shoulders which was cool. Not sure what to say, except it was awesome! Gloves were a little small I think, probably should have gone for the large but no fret.

Hood was super warm.

Really had an awesome session. 3 Hours on the water non stop!! That’s a first for me for this time of the year i think. Didn’t feel cold once, except when rigging (out of the suit).

Cheers for the suits and have a great Christmas,” (Adam Sims K72 Dec 2010)

For more Spartan news keep up to date with them on Boards here, or head to the Spartan website. 

Mormaii Windsurf Wetsuit. Linha Wind - Blue.

Mormaii 5/4/3  Windsurf Wetsuit     RRP £199

It’s Mormaii’s windsurf specific suit designed to keep you toasty on the coldest days but not at the cost of maximum flexibility, which is essential to reduce muscle fatigue, allowing you to maximise your time on the water. The design has been based purely on windsurfing and as such it has Super Stretch materials in all the constant movement areas ie Arms, Shoulders and Back. The suit has blindstitched seams and adjustable ankles along with an Anti-Flush internal waistcoat to stop you getting any nasty surprises. The smooth skin construction repels water and vastly reduces windchill negating the need for a windproof overtop and provides comfortable protection for your vital organs. The neoprene is buttery smooth and along with the flexibilty and warmth it’s easy to forget your actually in a wetsuit.

Characteristics: anatomic design, 90% made with Mesh Skin material, Super Stretch X3 material in the arms, shoulders and back area, blindstitched seams, velcro adjustable ankles. Advantages: Non-slip surface – does not absorb water, more flexibility in movement, comfortable, protection for vital organs.

Time of year/weather recommended for: Winter / all Seasons

Sizes – S/MS/M/MT/L/XL

Colours – Blue

Anatomic design

Super Stretch X3 on back, arms, armpits, shoulders, knees,on calf and crotch.

Blind stitched

Titanium Reflex Technology

Mesh Skin on body, arms and calf

Antiflush internal waistcoat

Zipper® with handle of inoxidable steel

Automatic lock

Powertex knee pads

Adjustable velcro on ankles

Super Light Foam

For more information and to find your local dealer head to http://www.zerogravitydistribution.co.uk/dealer.html

Other items in the Wetsuit Guide:

As 

Spartan present the Reflex 5/4/3, which as a single lined suit presents great protection from the elements.

The Reflex is a vertical, zipped overhead barrier sealed suit. The chest lining has a specialist thermal material using the same technology as used in cold weather, technical, sports clothing. Combined with the refined panel layout, adjustable neck seal, water entry to the suit is kept to an absolute minimum; this suit allows maximum flexibility and warmth.

The Reflex is designed for wind sports and will keep you warm and comfortable even in a windchill.  5mm chest and back, 4mm legs, 3mm arms and shoulders with a vertical zip.

Spartan Reflex

Mesh. After the air temp drops below 14C and the wind picks up to force 3+ if you want to stay out on the water all day without getting cold and remain comfortable then the Reflex is able to protect you and keep you warm to the core. It must be a mesh suit we have tested everything and been in long talks with Neoprene manufacture’s who agree with our findings.

Quality of Materials. The Reflex also dries very quickly and does not absorb lots of water as the Neoprene is of a very high quality, the quality of the materials is so important for durability, warmth and the right amount of stretch.

Benefits for wind sports. Specially tailored cuff seals with option of Spartan straps to to allow true baggy arms that will ensure that the wetsuit does not prevent full supply of blood to the hands and therefore prevent cramping. The new water release valve in the leg works a really well. It allows water to run out of a special neoprene valve placed high enough so that if you need to prevent ballooning you can tie a Spartan Ankle strap. It s also a very easy leg to get on and off.

Design essential requirement. Today we all know that we want to prevent water entering a suit as it burns very valuable calories that are better spent on doing your chosen sport.

Tailored 3d fit. A wetsuit must fit well and our suits are tailored to make a 3d shape.

Reflex technical sleeve

Barrier

Reflex wrist

Benefits and features

1. 3D Profile: Neoprene is formed to create your body shape, and be comfortable on the water.
2. Smooth skin Neoprene: Greatest resistance to wind chill.
3. Xtend arm panels: Super flexible arm panels that work with your natural body movement.
4. Overhead Barrier zip seal system: No water penetration through zip area, ensuring minimum flush creating an extra seal around the zip and neck.
5. Warm chest lining: Wicks away moisture keeping you warm and dry.
6. Sealed seams: Eliminates water entry via the seams.
7. Water sports neck: Reduces water entry and extends seasonal use.
8. New Compound knee pad: Comfortable, flexible and durable.
9. New leg drainage: One-way drain holes in calf, stops water ballooning in lower leg.
10. Enhanced Neoprene layout: Very warm and durable.
11. Over head barrier
12. Cuff seals and smooth glide materials

Retail price £199.00

For all the info on the Spartan Reflex head to the Spartan website here.

Check out these Spartan recommended retailers:

Boardwise

Andy Biggs

Juice Boardsports

More items in the Wetsuit Guide:

But what does make the ultimate gift for a windsurfer? Over the coming weeks we will talk through a variety of gift ideas; first up are our favourite Winter Warmers – every image is clickable, so click the pic for more information on the item.

Our top pick of winter warmers

Keeping warm on the water is pretty tricky as temperatures plummet, but there are a few items which will really make a difference and mean you can stay on the water even longer. Gloves are definitely one of these items, but which style of glove would suit you?

There are two main types to look at: closed and open palm.

Closed palm, traditional gloves no doubt give the best protection from the elements. ION produce a pre curved version called the Claw (£23.95) which gives optimum warmth with comfort, and O’Neill also make a version called the FLX (£18.00) with a slightly tacky grip to help keep hold of the boom!

Which closed palm glove? The O'Neill FLX?

Or the ION Claw?

Click for more info!

Whilst traditional gloves offer the most warmth and protection, some windsurfers prefer the feel of an open palm glove.

With the palm part of the glove cut away it means that there is a little more flexibility and movement for the hand. This also enables you to get a better feel for the boom, whilst still protecting the outer part of the hand from the elements.

Again there are various options of open palmed gloves on the market; our top picks are from ION (£19.99) and Spartan (£17.50). Both provide warmth, flexibility and a great all round fit.

Find out more about Spartan Mittens

Or do you prefer the ION version?

Moving from hands to feet, there are again various options for keeping your toes warm over the cold spell.

O’Neill offer a traditional style boot, called Heat (£34.95) which more than lives up to it’s name and offers optimal warmth with 5mm fluid foam neoprene. Another fantastic boot comes from Atan, who offer two versions: the Mistral 3mm (£39.95) and the Hot Mistral 6mm! (£42.95). Designed by windsurfers, for windsurfers the Atan boots again offer warmth and a comfortable feeling in the straps.

Click here for more on the O'Neill Heat

And here for the Atan Mistral....or Mistral Hot?

The ION Ballistic socks

Billabong Revolution, also with split toes...

A different option for boots is to go split toes; some prefer this feel as it offers a little more movement  for the feet. If you are looking at this type of boot our top pick is the Billabong 3mm Revolution boot (£29.95).

The ION Ballistic Socks 6/5mm (£64.95) are also adding to the variety of footwear on the market. With no seams these socks offer an internal split toe plus an even more flexibility for the foot.

We all know keeping our heads warm, both on and off the water, makes a massive difference. Again with headwear, there are a few options to look at. O’Neill offer the fantastic Gooru Hood (£19.95) which gives complete coverage for head, neck and ears.

Relatively new onto the market are a new way of keeping your head warm; the neoprene beanie. Offering almost the same warmth as a full hood, the beanie will keep your head warm but with your ears free you can hear at full capacity! Spartan (£15) offer the beanie shown below and  ION offer an incredible 10 different designs from £19.99. Beanies also come with straps/strings so don’t worry, they won’t be lost at sea!

O'Neill Gooru Hood

Spartan Beanie, classic is great

ION Beanie: one of many to chose from!

Our final must have winter warmer is a thermal rash vest. These offer another extra warm barrier against the cold; O’Neill’s Thermo X is  fleece 8oz lined providing great insulation and comes in long (£34.95) or short sleeved (£39.95) . ION’s Hooded Neo vest (£64.95) is fully made of neoprene and can be worn under or over a wetsuit, where of course the  attached hood gives you the best of both worlds!

ION Neo Vest

O'Neill Thermo rash vest

Where to buy?

The following retailers stock items in this week’s Christmas wish list.

Andy Biggs - ION, Spartan, O’Neill and Atan.

Boardwise – ION Beanies, Spartan, O’Neill, Billabong boots and Atan.

Robin Hood Watersports - ION open palm mitts and O’Neill.

Quayside Windsurfers – ION and Atan.

Juice Boardsports – Spartan and Atan.

4Boards - ION and Billabong.

Bray Lake – ION and O’Neill.

L.A.R. Watersports – all ION Products

Puravida Boardriders - ION, O’Neill and Atan.

Wet n Dry Boardsports – ION and O’Neill.

The Ianovator

I bought my first windsurfer two days before my physics A Level exam; I have been a windsurf addict for the 26 years since. After a lucky run in business I sold my interest in an engineering company and retired four years ago, aged 40.

Now with spare time I took on the battle of cold hands. As windsurfers need a bare hand grip on the boom I knew the answer would revolve around palm-less mittens cut back as far as possible. I first tried chemical heat pads and thermal linings but did not find sustainability. In my first attempt to exploit breath power I simply ran the tubes along the outside of my wetsuit and I noted the problem was the breath’s loss of heat between my mouth and my mittens. That gave me the idea of running the tubes down the inside of the wetsuit along each arm. When I tried it I knew immediately I had ended the war with cold hands in the sub 10°C UK winter conditions.

I got a patent application filed straight away before anyone had seen my tubes and proceeded to develop this suit with the three component manufactures involved.  After sending a scary amount of money to China I launched my product at NWF 2012.

Ianovator in action!

All I have to do now is persuade the market to get over the products “ridiculous” first impression and focus that fact it enables us to enjoy and capture better winds and waves more often. The suit is the only solution to keep a sailors hands comfortable in sub 10°C winter conditions all afternoon.

Iain Smith FCCA (I was an accountant!).

Stay tuned for another full feature detailing the ins and out of the suit and full product info!

ION ANTI SMELL

The main problem: Bacteria increase very fast in warm, moist or sweaty environments. Without disinfection, their number doubles every 20 minutes. Sanitized® prevents bacteria growth and door development very effectively. An important fact in doing so: Different from other wetsuit competitors’ solutions, Sanitized® protects the neoprene jersey not only against regular bacteria growth, but also against fungi, mildew alga – all with a long-lasting unique approach:

The ION ANTI SMELL feature immensely reduces necessary laundry cycles massively, which helps to preserve the physical properties much longer and prevents the waste of water.

The safety of Sanitized® is proven by strict tests that meet highest international standards and requirements. The used Sanitized® product is certified by OEKO-TEX 100 – classes I-IV and Allergy UK. In addition, it is bluedesign® approved, which guarantees a very eco friendly production.

The Sanitized® technology is permanently integrated into the material of selected ION items such as premium wetsuits, the Ballistic Socks and the Ballistic Toes.

Check out ion-products.com for the detailed specs of ION ANTI SMELL products.

ION Fuse

The new FUSE Drysuit from ION combines warmth and comfort in a revised and colourful design.

The FUSE drysuit made it’s debut back in 2010 and caught a lot of attention for its new design and functionality approach: A loose fit Neoprene drysuit made especially for water boardsports. It combines the advantages you know from snug fitting Neoprene wetsuits and loose fit but nonelastic Nylon fabric drysuits. The FUSE is made for all you hardcore guys who don’t care about minus degrees but just go out for a session even in the coldest winter time.

The 2013 edition FUSE drysuit comes for the first time ever in two different and at the same time highly visible colourways for extra safety in severe conditions on the water.

New Supra_Tex reinforcement provide extra protection and increase the durability. The FUSE is completely waterproof, due to flexible TIZIP® MasterSeal zippers on the back and the brand new P_Zip (guess where, for extra long sessions). All openings of the FUSE are sealed with SEAMTITE ® latex cuffs. The Glued Blind Stitch (GBS) seams are additionally taped from the inside – like you might now it from premium waterproof outdoor jackets – which makes them the safest waterproof solution so far.

The detachable hood design with its reinforced shield provides a perfect shelter against the harsh elements. It can be adjusted tightly around the head without restricting the view in any head position while riding. The Neoprene panels used in the FUSE drysuit are up to 4 millimetres thick, but still very elastic, which guarantees a maximum freedom of movement.

In short:

The FUSE is probably the warmest Neoprene suit solution for eversbody that wants to make his next season last 12 months!

MAIN Features

. Warmth: 4,0 – 3,0mm Neoprene for maximum heat retention possible

. Seam_Tape: All seams completely taped inside for maximum water-resistance

. Detachable hood: Improved snapped on hood with stiffer shield, elastic drawcords front/back neck

. Supra_Tex Knee Embossings: Uniquely embossed knee protection ribs

. Roller embossing: Subtle M_Tex embossing pinstripe design on DL panels

. P_Zip: The ultimate answer to a full bladder in a drysuit when it´s f***** freezing outside…

. Limestone_Neoprene: eco-awareness starts in raw materials

ION Fuse

ION Fuse

Other Features

. TIZIP Master_Seal® dryzipper: Improved opening / closing and flexibility

. SEAMTITE® Latex cuffs: Bottleneck shaped for improved watersealing

. GBL Seams: Fully glued blind-stitch seams with water sealing seam tape inside

. Elastic: Awesome wearing comfort due to flexible neoprene construction

. Save: Neoprene construction helps floatation and keeps rider safely above the water

. Cargo pockets: improved design to store your gloves etc. when you don´t need them & Key_loop: key pockets inside of suit plus chest pocket for easy access

Retail price £549,95

Check out all the details of this and other ION products at: www.ion-products.com

Products that have caught our eye:

The Maddox

The Jewel

The Element 

Strike Semidry 5,5 Yellow Blue

Strike Semidry 5,5 Yellow Blue

The Strike can be called the “classic” within ION’s range, being the brand’s most favoured as well as sold wetsuit. The latest version of the Strike again defines the core values ION stands for: Supreme tech and quality combined with a progressive look and style.

This means a continuous process of research, development and improvement. As a result, not only the design of the Strike has been renewed for 2013, but also its tech features: The new Cyber_Soft jersey is as stretchy as last year’s ones, but even softer. The integrated V_Type Neoprene is 25% lighter than its predecessor and at the same time the warmest available neoprene on the market right now. A small but very functional, additional gimmick for 2013 can be found on the bottom part of the leg: The Key_Loop – an all-new type of key pocket on the calf for an easy access and super safe storage. No worries about the car key anymore while ripping out there. Still the same, but still hard-rocking useful: The Crash_Padz reinforced panels on shin and ribs to protect the rider and his gear.

Strike Semi Dry 5,4 Black

Strike Semi Dry 5,4 Black

Strike Semidry 5,5 Steelblue

Strike Semidry 5,5 Steelblue

The Strike is available as skin style for a better heat retention as well as double lined style for best flex and abrasion resistance. The double lined version is wrapped up in two distinct colorways – a very bright one (yellow/blue) and a bit darker one (steelblue/lightgrey). Both colorways feature progressive all -over-prints for riders, who enjoy an radical look and style. Same applies for the skin suit concerning the riding style, but packed in a bit more decent look (black with green details).

Different versions allow to find the perfect Strike model for different preferences and temperatures – beginning at 2,5 shorties and ending with 5,5 full suits.

The price range for the Strike DL varies between £ 99,95 and £ 239,95 and for the Strike Skin: £ 179,95 up to £ 239,95.

By the way: Limestone neoprene is an ION standard ever since the beginning – we have never counted on anything else and will still trust in the most environmentally friendly way of producing neoprene in the future.

Further information can be found on: www.ion-products.com

Check out our ION recommended retailers below:

Robin Hood Watersports

Quayside Windsurfers

Puravida Boardriders

Do you love to stand out from the crowd? Then ION claim that this is what you need: progressive artist sublimation designwork wrapped in premium stretch and eco-friendly material! This means that the new ION Riot and Trinity (for women) series are probably one of the most expressive and uncompromising styles you can get on the neoprene market with an inimitable design character.

These collections are a unique combination of environmental awareness for eco-friendly materials such as Limestone Neoprene, fully recycled Polyester fabric and sustainable product design. Each suit has an individual look provided by the numerous variations of the sublimation allover printing method. Every suit is unique, a one of a kind piece, a statement of your individuality and ecological attitude.

Needless to say the wetsuits are equipped with top features of the ION range like the s_type neoprene for super flex to ensure that every move on the water feels as if you don’t wear it, fully glued Blind-Stitch water sealing seams to make you feel comfortable and warm inside, water gate plus batwing panels for best waterproofness, just to name a couple of.

Check it out on www.ion-essentials.com

Adam Sims: Not quite Christmas Day, but close enough. SILTe and Turfdog team riders Mike Archer (F2/Maui Sails) and Adam Sims (RRD/RRD) keeping it real at Greatstone in the UK.

Conditions: About zero degrees with windchill, 25 knots side on, small freestyle boards and waveboards.

Keeping super warm in SPARTAN wetsuits!!!

Adam's early Christmas pressies!

Having recently sailed in -6 degrees with two suits I was pretty happy when John and Mark at Spartan wetsuits offered me sponsorship. Being able to go sailing in just the one wetsuit is definitely much better when it comes to flexibility and I’m a huge fan of the way they design and manufacture their gear, with a lot of rider input and feedback. It’s great to be part of such an awesome team, especially as I have quite a few friends involved as well.

Most importantly though is that the wetsuits are brilliant, the reflex is super warm and flexible. It’s not just one of those ones that claims to be, you really do notice it when you put it on. I really am happy to be a part of such a well-established brand, and with a name like Spartan I feel pretty invincible whenever I get inside one of their suits. I’m looking forward to all the future developments with the brand and the team and at promoting them as much as possible.

More at spartanwetsuits.com – and check out Adam’s double-suited antics on Boardseeker