Customised wetsuits may be a good solution for you. In the world of watersports, a well-fitting wetsuit is essential for both comfort and performance. However, standard wetsuit sizes often fail to accommodate the diverse range of human body shapes and sizes.

Recognising this challenge, North Coast Wetsuits (NCW), an authentically bona fide UK-based surf brand and shop, offers a bespoke wetsuit customisation service. This service ensures that every individual, regardless of their unique physique, can enjoy a wetsuit tailored specifically to their needs.

The Limitations of Standard Wetsuit Sizes

Wetsuits are traditionally manufactured in standard sizes – small, medium, large and so on – based on generalised body measurements. While these sizes may fit some individuals adequately, they often fall short for those whose body dimensions deviate from the norm.

An ill-fitting wetsuit can lead to discomfort, reduced thermal insulation, and restricted movement, ultimately hindering the user’s experience in the water. In some cases – particularly with cold water immersion in play – it can be dangerous.

Embracing Individuality: The Need for Customised Wetsuits

Every individual possesses a unique body shape, influenced by factors such as height, weight, muscle distribution, and personal preferences. The way you surf or ride in the ocean can also be a factor. A customised wetsuit addresses these individual differences, offering benefits such as:

• Enhanced Comfort: A tailored fit eliminates areas of excessive tightness or looseness, ensuring optimal comfort during use.
  
• Improved Performance: A wetsuit that conforms to the body’s contours allows for unrestricted movement, enhancing overall performance.
  
• Superior Thermal Protection: A snug fit minimizes water ingress, maintaining better thermal insulation and keeping the wearer warmer.
  

North Coast Wetsuits: A Legacy of Quality and Innovation

Established in 2004, North Coast Wetsuits is a family-run business nestled in North Cornwall, close to Polzeath and Port Isaac. The inception of NCW was inspired by founder Mark Graham’s personal journey into surfing, following a life-altering motorcycle accident. Mark’s passion for surfing watersports and his entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of NCW, with the mission to provide high-quality, affordable wetsuits and accessories.

Over the years, NCW has evolved, continually adapting to the needs of the watersports community while maintaining a commitment to excellence. The customised wetsuits offering is a natural evolution of what the NCW brand stands for. Making surfing and watersports accessible to everyone is right up on the agenda for North Coast Wetsuits.

Expert Craftsmanship: NCW’s In-House Seamstress

At the heart of NCW’s customisation service is their in-house seamstress, Becci. With a background in fashion design and extensive experience in working with neoprene materials, Becci possesses the expertise to perform a wide range of alterations and repairs. Her skills encompass (but aren’t limited to):

• Seam Repairs: Re-gluing and re-stitching seams to restore wetsuit integrity.
  
• Panel Replacements: Replacing damaged or ill-fitting panels to improve fit and extend the wetsuit’s lifespan.
  
• Custom Alterations: Adjusting the wetsuit’s dimensions to match the user’s specific measurements, ensuring a perfect fit.
  

Becci’s meticulous attention to detail and dedication to her craft ensures that each customised wetsuit meets the highest standards of quality and functionality.

The Seamless Online Customised Wetsuit Process

Understanding the importance of accessibility, NCW offers a convenient online wetsuit customisation service. This process allows customers to have their wetsuits tailored without the need to visit the NCW premises in Cornwall. The online process involves:

1. Initial Consultation: Customers contact NCW to discuss their specific requirements and receive guidance on taking accurate body measurements.
   
2. Measurement Submission: Customers provide their measurements and details of the desired alterations through NCW’s online platform.
   
3. Customisation: Becci performs the necessary alterations based on the provided information, ensuring a precise fit.
   
4. Delivery: Customised wetsuits are then shipped back to the customer, ready for use.

This streamlined process ensures a quick turnaround, allowing customers to enjoy their customised wetsuit with minimal delays.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Customising New and Used Wetsuits

NCW’s wetsuit customisation and alterations service is not only about achieving the perfect fit but also about promoting sustainability and affordability. By offering alterations and repairs, NCW enables customers to extend the lifespan of their existing wetsuits, reducing the need for new purchases. 

This approach is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, which sits in line with NCW’s eco-friendly ethos. Additionally, NCW can customise used wetsuits, providing an economical option for those seeking quality gear without the expense of buying new ones.

Environmental Responsibility: Extending Wetsuit Lifespan

The environmental impact of neoprene production has led to a growing interest in sustainable alternatives. While some brands are exploring natural rubber options, the most immediate and effective way to reduce environmental harm is by extending the lifespan of existing wetsuits. As North Coast Wetsuits say in this article: ‘the most sustainable wetsuit is the one you’re wearing’. NCW’s repair and customisation services play a crucial role in this effort, offering:

• Repairs: Fixing seams, zippers, and minor damages to restore wetsuits to their optimal condition.
  
• Alterations: Adjusting the fit of wetsuits to accommodate changes in the user’s body or to improve comfort.
  
• Upcycling: Transforming old or irreparable wetsuits into new products, such as bags or accessories, thereby minimising waste.
  

Supporting Adaptive Surfers with Customised Wetsuits

North Coast Wetsuits is proud to support the adaptive surfing community by providing customised wetsuits tailored to the unique needs of adaptive surfers. Standard wetsuits often fail to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges, prosthetics, or specific comfort requirements. NCW has worked closely with adaptive surfers to modify wetsuits for easier entry and exit, improved flexibility, and enhanced thermal protection. 

By offering bespoke adjustments such as zipper relocations, altered panelling, and reinforced seams, NCW ensures that every surfer – regardless of physical ability – can enjoy the ocean with confidence and comfort. Their dedication to inclusivity highlights their mission to make high-quality watersports gear accessible to everyone

NCW’s Mark Graham on Custom Wetsuit Fits and Alterations.

‘Having been wearing wetsuits over 50 years and designing and selling wetsuit for 21 years I think I have a good knowledge of what makes a wetsuit right for a person. And probably other than choosing the correct thickness of wetsuit for water temp THE MOST important thing about any wetsuit is HOW IT FITS.’ 

‘A low-price wetsuit that fits correctly and doesn’t flush water will no doubt keep you far warmer than a top-of-the-range £350 wetsuit that isn’t the correct size. This is particularly important when the brand you are hung up on buying only offers a small range of sizes and you just pick the nearest because you want that brand.’

‘If the suit doesn’t fit well and it flushes and holds water because it’s loose in some places it will not do its job. So go for a brand that offers a broad range of sizes (for example our winter wetsuit range, where fit is so important, comes in 13 off-the-peg sizes).’

Where NCW Comes In

‘If you are lucky enough to be a medium size in most suits that is great but many of us are not and say you are a perfect medium but you have skinny wrists that suit is going to flush. Or perhaps you are short in the body and long in the leg and your suit bags up on your torso. Well, that is where we come in.’ 

‘We do not custom-build made-to-measure wetsuits BUT we can talk any off-the-peg wetsuit and professionally alter it so it fits you correctly all over. We do it all the time and it’s not as expensive as you may think. Keep in mind that you are going to keep that wetsuit for years, if you look after it appropriately, why not get the fit spot on. Your time in the water is valuable so why not get a suit that is spot on.’

An Example of Wetsuit Wants & Needs 

‘A classic example of this is when we have a guy come to us who wants a winter chest zip suit. He is shaped like a powerlifter, huge chest at 48″, a narrow waist at 35″ and not only that he is only 5’8″ tall. Super stocky and broad. He’s highly unlikely that he’ll find an off-the-peg wetsuit.’

‘He’s always had to buy XXL suits because nothing else fits his chest and shoulders but they are built for guys that are 6 foot plus so he has to have baggy or rolled arms and legs and the suit is too long in the body. So he comes to us, buys the NCW 5/3 Yamamoto XXL suit and we adjust the arm and leg lengths, the body length and take the waist in so the suit is a good fit all over without any rolls or loose material.‘

‘It’s cost him around £125 on top of the new suit cost but this suit is now a perfect fit and makes all the difference to his valuable time in the water. And you do not have to buy one of our suits (although we’d recommend it!) we can offer this service with any suit you bring in.’

Conclusion

North Coast Wetsuits stands as a testament to the fusion of passion, expertise, and innovation in the world of surfing watersports. By recognising the limitations of standard wetsuits to embrace the individuality of each customer. NCW provides customised wetsuit solutions that enhance comfort, performance, and sustainability.

Their in-house seamstress, Becci, brings unparalleled craftsmanship to every project, ensuring that each wetsuit is tailored to perfection. With a seamless online process and a commitment to environmental responsibility, NCW continues to be a shining example within the home-grown wetsuit brand and surf shop space.

For more info about wetsuit customisation and how we can help you get the right fit get in touch with NCW here.

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