Rinse, support and dry
Fresh-water rinse
Rinse after surfing, following the maker’s water and cleaner instructions.
Support and shade
Use the recommended support and an airy shaded place. Avoid stretching the wet suit over a narrow edge.
Rinse it after the session
Rip Curl’s care guidance says to rinse a wetsuit in fresh water after every surf. Use your suit maker’s instructions for water temperature and cleaning. Treat the inside as well as the outside, including the areas where sand has collected.
A rinse is a routine, not a way to undo every smell or repair a damaged seam. If you need a cleaner, use one approved for that suit and follow its dilution and rinsing instructions. A household product is not automatically appropriate because it smells clean.
Dry it without a blast of heat
Rip Curl warns that sun and UV damage neoprene and recommends drying in the shade. Choose an airy place and follow the maker’s method for turning and supporting the suit. Don’t leave it bundled wet and assume the outer surface tells you whether the inside has dried.
For hanging, Rip Curl specifies its wide hanger rather than a wire hanger. Other suits can have different support instructions. Use a method that avoids concentrating the wet suit’s weight on a narrow edge or stretching it out.
Be gentle with panels, fastenings and nails
A wetsuit can be damaged while you put it on or take it off. Rip Curl specifically cautions about sharp objects and fingernails, particularly on smooth panels. Work the suit into place patiently rather than pulling hard at one small patch.
Check fastenings and seams while the suit is off. If something is catching or opening, ask the maker or a repair specialist about the appropriate fix. Glue and repair methods depend on the materials; this guide does not prescribe one for every suit.
Care is separate from choosing enough warmth
A well-rinsed suit can still be the wrong fit or warmth for the next session. RNLI advises wearing an appropriate wetsuit for surfing. Read the expected water and weather conditions and ask the school or shop about the actual session rather than choosing solely by the season’s name.
If you are getting cold or losing useful movement in the water, end the session and speak to your instructor. Dry your kit for the next visit, but don’t treat dry storage as proof that the suit will keep you comfortable in different conditions.
Try this next
Read the care label on your suit and set up a rinsing and drying routine that follows it.
Check your understanding
Does drying a wetsuit quickly in strong sun follow Rip Curl’s care guidance?
Reveal the answer
No. Its guidance recommends shade and cautions that sun and UV damage neoprene. Follow the care instructions for your specific suit.
Sources & editorial notes
The sources below support the underlying wave science, forecast interpretation and safety guidance. BestSwell examples and drawings are original explanatory material, not local validation or a personal suitability assessment.
These guides are not a substitute for local instruction or a current beach assessment. No independent technical or coaching sign-off is claimed.