Many people are buying wet suits or thinking about it.
Darkskies suggested that i share some info. about that topic.
wet suits float you. they'll keep you warm for 3 hours. 3,5 & 7 millimeters
are common thicknesses for wet suits. the thicker the suit the warmer it is.
even though we're in 70 degrees today i'll be yaking in a 7mm suit soon.
That because the water still cold. Hypothermia is a big deal, i try to avoid it. it saps your energy,
clouds your judgement & will claim your life if you let it.
Todays suits are a lot more flexible & thinner than the older suits i surfed & dove in.
I use Pinnacle wet suits. they use to call it elastiprene but they phased those suits out.
i picked Pinnacle because they had merino wool in the suit & levlar knee pads.
Henderson Hyperstretch are also good suits.
I got my 3mm suit locally & got ripped off, i say that because my 7mm suit was only $189 it should have been $500!
I suggest going to leisurepro.com & looking at their suits. They have a shop at 42w 18th St. NYC.
I use OTB boots they are now made by new balance http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/sh...ilitary/211MBK
I picked these since they were created to fit in force fins. here's the link for that http://www.forcefin.com/product/FFOR50.html
I suggest the otb's because they are very light & can also be worn over stocking foot waders with korkers too. The force fins are small & powerful. I don't suggest the force fin pro model unless your under water. swimming on top with the pro model has given me hamstring problems, they weren't designed for top side use.
i used kadir's Aquaskinz Elite pro hunter series double barrel bags, bucktail pouch, & pliers sheath. http://www.aquaskinz.com/index.php5?mode=ehps
Kadir has always been good to me & has stood behind these products, he has modified them & repaired them for me. he has also offered to create a sling for my rods so i can swim with them. I currently use rock climbing rope that doubles as a stringer.
My belt is from a dive shop $10
I use princton tec lights the amp 1 & the eco flare.
my head light is from underwater kinetics.
I keeps 2 knives with me a SOG SEAL pup elite, & a wenkona squeeze knife it's blunt tip & titanium.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SQTKSL.html?&&
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Categ.../SOGE37TK.html
I wear a Suunto core watch. it has a compass, barometer, storm alarm,thermometer, depth meter, sunrise/sunset times & a lot more.http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54871...pmd_google_pla
I tried to add a link for combat side stroke from youtube but couldn't.
look it up if you wish .
This is an effortless way to swim, add fins & you cruise.
Hope this helps. Best wishes & be safe.