Rip Curl develops first power-heated wetsuit, KEEPING THE HEAT ON

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KEEPING THE HEAT ON

Rip Curl develops first power-heated wetsuit

January 30, 2007

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Everyone who's ever surfed cold water knows the initial tingling sensation that greets you during your first duckdive. From that moment on, it's up to your body heat to warm that water so you can enjoy those classic wintertime days. But, hey: it is 2007. What if those sneaky drops of frigid water never had the chance to poke needles in your skin?

This is the idea behind a new wetsuit called the H-Bomb which is fully equipped with waterproof heating coils along the back -- quite a stretch from the prehistoric beavertails and bulky dive suits. But, wetsuits have continued to evolve since surf suits were invented in the early-50s (see Surfline's Surfing A-Z for the full history). And eventually, warmer, lighter, more flexible rubber joined with sealed seams, fewer panels and leak-free zippers. This ongoing need for improving warmth and comfort ultimately led to Rip Curl pioneering that next step.

"The theory is to apply direct heat to the body to keep the blood warm, rather than wait for nature to take its course," explains Brian Bosson, Wetsuit Product Manager for Rip Curl USA.

Sound absurd? The geeks over at Popular Science Magazine didn't think so and they're featuring this revolutionary technology in an upcoming issue. Not bad for a bunch of surfers.

Here's how it works:

Two small battery packs are strategically located along the small of the back, below the heating pad-like coils which span the central back region. A heat controller on the right side of the chest towards the armpit, turns the system on and off and also let's you choose a medium or high heat setting.

The batteries (which are currently two inches by four inches, but should be half that size by the suit's expected release date in October) have enough juice to keep you toasty for two hours on the high setting and can even be recharged by your car's cigarette lighter.

Don't believe us, though: The H-bomb was tested by team riders Adam Wickwire and Elise Gariggue in frigid Iceland surf, with the result being a cozy elimination of at least one millimeter of rubber compared to what's normally required. Meaning, instead of a 6/5/4, the H-bomb lets you settle into a 5/4 or replace your 4/3 with a 3/2.

"Every winter, the diehard guys in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest have to pull out their six mils, gloves, hoods, and booties. If we can make it so they are able to step down and wear a 5/4 in the harshest of conditions, then we've done our job," Bosson reasons.

"I was burning up. It felt like it was summertime."

-- H-bomb guinea pig, Adam Wickwire

And while the retail price hasn't been set in stone yet (think well over $500), the H-bomb even helps combat every surfer's ultimate winter buzz-kill -- the flush. "When you get flushed it actually helps because the water circulates around the wetsuit and helps distribute the heat," observed Wickwire.

But coils? Battery packs? Built-in controller? Most would think that spells complete and utter discomfort. As Bosson confirms, "We've laid the batteries so it's actually very comfortable. You can feel the coils on your back and that's a good thing when it's cold. They give a little stretch too. This suit hasn't hindered any performance from the feedback we've gotten."

While testing in Iceland amongst icebergs seems a bit extreme, Rip Curl decided it was best to push the suit's limits from very the start. Standing in the snow steaming after his first two-hour session wearing the H-bomb Wickwire breathed, "I was burning up. It felt like it was summertime."

Now if they could just make boards that make you surf like Kelly Slater...then we'd know the future is indeed now.

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