How to Choose the Right Wetsuit for Your Body & Australian Waters 🌊
Beachin Surf Guide – Featuring Hyperfreak Fire & Flashbomb F-Bomb
Choosing the right wetsuit is one of the most important decisions before you hit the waves. It keeps you warm, comfortable, and performing your best.
At Beachin Surf, we stock Australia’s best-selling wetsuits — including the O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire and Rip Curl Flashbomb (F-Bomb).
Here’s your simple guide to choosing the right suit — based on water temps, construction, body fit, care tips, and the best technology on the market.
Wetsuit Thickness & Temperature Guide
24°C and above — Rashguard / Vest (0.5–1mm) → Stinger protection, UV shield
22–24°C — Springsuit (2mm) → Summer surfing
18–22°C — Full Suit (Steamer) (3/2mm) → Autumn, Spring
14–18°C — Full Suit (Steamer) (4/3mm) → Late Autumn, early Spring
10–14°C — Hooded Full Suit (5/4mm) → Cold Winter surfing
Below 10°C — Hooded Full Suit + Accessories (6/5mm) → Extended Winter, very cold waters
Rule of thumb: The colder the water, the thicker your suit — and the better your seam sealing needs to be.
Wetsuit Seam Construction Explained
Flatlock Stitching — Low water resistance, high flexibility. For warm water.
GBS (Glued & Blindstitched) — High water resistance, high flexibility. For cooler water suits (3mm+).
Taped Seams — Very high water resistance, very high durability. For cold water.
Liquid Sealed Seams — Excellent water resistance, excellent durability. For premium cold water suits.
Welded Seams — Excellent water resistance, high flexibility. For high-performance surfing.
Quick tip: For cold water or serious winter surfing, make sure your wetsuit is GBS + Taped or Liquid Sealed (both Hyperfreak Fire and F-Bomb use these top-end constructions).
Why O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire & Rip Curl Flashbomb F-Bomb?
O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire
- Technobutter 4 neoprene — ultra-light, ultra-stretchy
- TB4 Firewall lining retains heat & dries ultra fast
- Minimal seams for maximum freedom
- GBS + Taped Seams = warm + flexible
- Perfect for surfers who want to stay warm but still move freely
Rip Curl Flashbomb (F-Bomb)
- E7 Flash Lining throughout — the fastest drying lining on the market
- E7 neoprene for excellent flexibility
- Fully sealed seams for max warmth
- Hooded versions available for winter
- The ultimate choice for surfers chasing max warmth and durability
How to Size Your Wetsuit
Measure These:
- Height
- Weight
- Chest
- Waist
Fit Tip: Your wetsuit should fit tight when dry — it will loosen slightly in the water. If between sizes, size down (neoprene stretches).
Size Charts:
O'Neill Size Chart — https://us.oneill.com/pages/size-charts
Rip Curl Size Chart — https://www.ripcurl.com/au/size-guide-wetsuits
Our Top Picks at Beachin Surf 🏄♂️
O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire 4/3+ Steamer
- Our best-selling high-performance cold water wetsuit
- Unbelievable flexibility + real warmth
- 4/3+ thickness ideal for NSW Central Coast through winter
Rip Curl Flashbomb F-Bomb 4/3 Steamer
- Our warmest premium suit
- Loved by serious surfers
- Flash Lining dries in hours, so you’re never in a wet wetsuit the next day
O'Neill Hyperfreak 3/2+ Steamer
- Our top pick for in-between seasons
- Ideal for Autumn, Spring, and even warmer winter days
Rip Curl G-Bomb & Dawn Patrol
- Great value & flexibility for warm to cool water
- Women's G-Bomb is a favourite with female surfers
- Dawn Patrol is the best entry-level Rip Curl steamer
👉 Shop all our wetsuits here: https://beachinsurf.com.au/collections/wetsuits
Pro Tips for Wetsuit Care & Longevity
How to care for your wetsuit:
- Rinse your suit thoroughly with fresh cold water after every surf.
- Hang it inside out first, then swap to the outside.
How long should a wetsuit last?
- A good wetsuit like Hyperfreak Fire or Flashbomb should last 2–4 seasons with proper care.
- Daily surfers will wear them out faster — treat them well!
How to dry your wetsuit properly:
- Hang on a wide wetsuit hanger.
- Dry in the shade — never in direct sun, UV kills neoprene.
When should you upgrade your wetsuit?
- If it starts flushing water through seams or neck/legs.
- If the neoprene loses stretch and flexibility.
- If it takes forever to dry — lining breakdown is a sign it’s time for a new one.
How to store your wetsuit:
- Store on a wide hanger in a cool, dry place.
- Never fold it long-term — creases damage neoprene.
Final Word
At Beachin Surf, we ride what we sell. That’s why we only stock suits we trust for Aussie conditions — and why the O'Neill Hyperfreak Fire and Rip Curl Flashbomb F-Bomb are our top-selling premium wetsuits.
Need advice? Pop in-store or message us online — we’ll help you pick the perfect wetsuit so you can surf warmer, longer, better.
👉 Shop Beachin Surf Wetsuits: https://beachinsurf.com.au/collections/wetsuits