The Cypher range is Quiksilvers premium range of wetsuits and accessories; this means that these gloves are made with Quiksilvers best neoprene and materials. The retail price is set at around £35, which is comparable to other top end gloves from other brands.

Warmth
Located on the back of the hand is a rubbery mesh which helps to stop water absorbing into the wetsuit jersey (fabric material on top of the neoprene). This feature helps to decrease the water retention from the glove which also reduces the weight. Also, the rubber coating helps to stop water which would have been soaked up by the jersey from cooling in the wind chill. For me, this coating seemed to help wick away water from the glove but it didn’t help with any heat retention. Also the gloves aren’t as stretchy as they would be without it the rubbery coating.

Inside the glove is a fleecy material which Quiksilver call Biofleece, this is found inside all the Cypher wetsuit range. The idea behind this is that it acts as a thermal layer which retains the heat from your hands and the water which is warmed by them. This stuff didn’t do anything to keep my hands warm, and it added to the bulk of the glove. Instead of feeling like a 3mm glove, they felt more like a 5mm without the added warmth.

All the outside seams are sealed with a thin layer of rubber to stop any water penetrating the glove. One thing i did like about the Cypher gloves is they fit really well and even in the water they were very light weight and didn’t give me any problems when paddling.

I tested these gloves in water around 9c and there wasn’t a lot of wind, and I found after about 1 hour the tips of my fingers were freezing cold. Two hours in and my hands were suffering from cold aches and I had to get out. When I took the gloves off, the water inside was cold. These gloves fit like a glove, so there wasn’t excess water inside the glove to reduce the thermal qualities. I have no idea why these gloves, with all the bells and whistles were so rubbish.

Quiksliver have added textured beading to the palms and wrists, to help with grip and reduce water flush. The texture located on the wrist is meant to prevent water flushing up the wetsuit and hold the wetsuits wrists in place. However, in my tests I couldn’t notice any less water flush due to the textured beads. The beads on the palms worked really well and helped with the grip of the surfboard. I also tested to see if the beads would peel off easily by picking at them. I found that the beads were very, very hard to come off, this is a good sign they will stay on with normal use.

Comfort 
I feel the Cyhper wetsuit gloves are horribly uncomfortable, due to the stitching inside the glove. If this stitching had been covered with tape, or blind stitched, it wouldn’t have felt so abrasive. The bare stitching made a wetsuit glove which should have been very comfortable to be very uncomfortable.

Verdict

I was hugely disappointed with these gloves; I swear that my hands would have been warmer without them on. It seems like they insulated the cold inside the glove.  I would not recommend these gloves at all, especially for the price.

If you are lucky enough to surf in boardshorts all year round, you probably won’t need to read this article. However, if  you surf in cold waters all year round you will need to know which thickness of wetsuit to use. Around the British Isles the water temperature can differ greatly from North to South and this will determine which thickness neoprene you will need to wear. UK  waters can get as low as 5c which can be pretty challenging., these icy conditions demand you are equipped with the correct wetsuit. If you wear a wetsuit which is too thin it wont keep you war. If the wetsuit doesn’t keep you warm will get severe cramps and hypothermia which can put your life at risk.

Geographical location

The North Sea is some of the coldest surf in the UK and in Europe, temperatures can dip to as low as 5c which is a painful cold. At a bare minimum a 5mm wetsuit should be used in the winter months, but if you want to stay in longer and not let the cold bite, I would go for a 6mm wetsuit. You will also need to use wetsuit gloves, wetsuit boots and a wetsuit hood. Wetsuit gloves should be 5mm, boots 7mm and wetsuit hood at least 3mm thick. The North Sea In the summer months demands a 5mm, or 4mm wetsuit  depending on where you are surfing. However, I have used a 3mm wetsuit before on the UK North East coast in August, but if you want a wetsuit for all year round go for a decent 5mm.

Here in the South West you can wear a 4mm or a 5mm wetsuit in the winter months, in the summer a 3mm can be used. When we have a good summer the temperature of the water from August through to September can reach 18c. The water warms at higher temperatures compared to the North Sea due to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream doesn’t pass through the North Sean like it does the Atlantic Ocean; this is why thinner wetsuits can be used in the South West.

To decide which wetsuit thicknesses to buy find out the water temperature you plan to surf and use our temperature guide below.

After a Poll was commissioned by ‘Break the Bag Habit’ it was found that 56% of people thought it was reasonable to be charged for plastic carrier bags. Only 25% of the poll disagreed with charging for plastic bags.
The reason behind charging for plastic bags is to change people’s habits, if users are charged they are more likely to stop using disposable plastic carrier bags and use reuse able bags instead. This would cut down on marine litter and general waste. Species such as turtles can swallow plastic bags mistaking them for food. The bag then becomes lodged in the turtle’s digestive system and the turtle eventually dies.
Even though I use disposable carrier bags, I do reuse them for various uses such as bin liners. However, I can see that they are a nightmare for the wider environment and I charging for the bags wouldn’t be that bad. If there was a 5p charge per bag, it would be more cost effective in the long term to purchase the reusable bags which would be better for the environment.

For more information regarding the ‘Break the Bag Habit’ see the SAS website

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I have had the task of testing out the Rip Curl E Bomb pro for the summer months to give you a review of this wetsuit. I was given this wetsuit to test back in early May, but the water was too cold for me to get out of my 4/3mm. Even now in September the water is warmish, but the air temperature is cold, so I’m in my 4/3mm wetsuit again. I can’t remember ever wearing a 4/3mm in summer, but it seems it hasn’t been a great summer.

I have been wearing various models of this wetsuit since it was first released in 2005; the only thing that let it down for me is the durability of the wetsuit. Far too often top end wetsuits with the highest grade neoprene don’t last as long as their cheaper counterparts. This problem isn’t isolated to Rip Curl wetsuits.  It is too early to tell if the 2012 edition of this wetsuit will hold up because I have only used it for a season, I will of course up date you on that at a later date.

Super lightweight

What I really like about the E Bomb is it is as light as a feather; it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles that other wetsuits offer. It doesn’t have polypro inside the wetsuit to weigh it down; this might be a down side for a person who requires additional thermal properties. However, this wetsuit extremely light weight and doesn’t add extra weight to your paddle.

Flexibility

I’m not a fan boy of the E Bomb by a long shot, but I have to say the E3 neoprene is the most flexible neoprene on the market. Most branded wetsuits, like Billabong, O’Neill, Quiksilver, Xcel are manufactured by the same company in China called Sheico. Essentially all these brands have the same neoprene and jersey, they just call it different names like DS ultra stretch and Hyper Stretch. If you take a look in a surf shop and compare the jersey and neoprene you will see it all looks the same. Rip Curl actually produce E3 neoprene and it is way stretchier than the other brands. If I wear a chest zip E Bomb I can fit into a small, even though I am 5’6, have a 40 inch chest and weigh 12 stone; that’s how stretchy the E3 neoprene is.

Warmth

If you suffer from the cold, I would suggest going for a Rip Curl Flash Bomb, Xcel Drylock, or an O’Neill RG8. These wetsuits offer the Polypro inside the wetsuit which will keep you warmer. However, I have worn a 4/3mm E Bomb Pro a few seasons ago as a winter wetsuit and I was pleasantly surprised how warm I was in it; even on the coldest of days. Normally I would be in a summer wetsuit by late April and continue to use it till later October. The 3/2mm E Bomb Pro hasn’t enabled me to use the wetsuit throughout this period. I was too cold in April and now in late September the wind chill has got me. Maybe a 4/3mm would be a good solution for an all round season wetsuit. I guess the E Bomb pro is designed for ultra lightweight surfing and not ultimate warmth as this is what Rip Curls pro surfers demand. However, I would say if we had a normal summer, or if I was surfing in Portugal the E Bomb would have been good enough for sure. It just under performed due to the rubbish weather we have had in May and through to September.

Construction and what’s new?

Previous versions of this wetsuit haven’t had any taping on the seams, but this year Rip Curl have ditched the silicon seals and replaced with their E3 taping. This seems like a bright move because I don’t like the idea of unsealed seams, and I also hate the silicon seals because they crack over time. The E3 taping is a good move because it adds extra durability to the seams and doesn’t impair the stretch of the wetsuit.

Located on the back of the wetsuit is the new 3 way stretch panel, this is meant to give more stretch throughout the back, but I didn’t notice the difference at all. Plus the seams throughout this panel were not taped and were itchy due to the glued and blind stitched seam.

The toggle which tightens the shoulder area of the chest zip has been replaced with an updated version. The cord is pulled to give the wetsuit a water tight seal over the shoulder, the new updated version seams to hold better and is easier to use.

Water riding up the arms or legs was a bit of a problem on the previous versions of the E Bomb, but this season Rip Curl have added a rubber seal on the wrist and ankle to stop water riding up. At first these seals are really tight and can be uncomfortable. However, after time they supple up and work really well.

Conclusion 8/10

There haven’t been masses of changes to this wetsuit from previous seasons, but the small changes which have been made are generally an improvement. I have been impressed with the performance of the wetsuit, but the 3/2mm didn’t fair too well in colder conditions. If you want a super light weight high performance wetsuit the E Bomb Pro is the way to go. Being bogged down with weight is never good, and the E Bomb gives a sense you have nothing on at all. It’s very comfortable, stretchy, lightweight and competitively priced.

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I thought it was about time I wrote an article about a product which wasn’t surf hardware related. Freakfish Surf Shop kindly sent me some Reef Fanning flip flops to wear and review. These flip flops aren’t your average slaps, they are Mick Fanning signature flip flops and they have a concealed bottle opener within the sole. I guess Mick forgets his bottle opener, when on the beach?

I have been wearing them now for about a month now and I have to say I have been caught short and without a bottle opener while on the beach. You just have to make sure you haven’t stood in anything nasty before you open your bottle. Opening a bottle top with your flip flop sure does get some interesting comments from your friends. Most of the comments are ‘Wow, you have a bottle opener on your flip flop’! Having this little device on the bottom of your flip flop sure is useful! Good thinking Mick!

Enter your zip code here

Apart from the bottle opener, I was really impressed with the fit and comfort these slaps offered. They look like they would be quite heavy, but in fact they are very lightweight and have an air cushion in the sole area. I guess with time the air chamber will supple up, like a pair of Nike Air Max. The flip flop hugs your feet without too much movement, and running in them is relatively easy compared to other slaps i have owned.The whole flip flop looks very robust and the centre toe piece is backed with nylon to give it extra strength. I have has flip flops before which have failed in this area only after a few months of use. I will report back on the durability of these flip flops later, but all is looking very good.

Verdict 9/10
I would recommend these slaps for sure, the bottle opener is fabulous and they are so comfortable. Reef also do a female version of the fanning flip flops. If you can stretch to the RRP of £45 then get a pair!

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Rhino Single Roof Rack
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Rhino Double Roof Rack
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You can find all our surfboard roof racks here

Surfboard soft racks are a cost effective way to transport your surfboards if you don’t have an expensive car rack, or a van to throw your boards in. These handy little devices are easy to fit, can hold up to ten surfboards securely and the rack fits in a storage bag when not in use. There are many different types of soft racks available, most of them come out of the same factory in China, but just have different branding. I have tried a lot of soft racks and I’m going to share with you the racks I feel are the best value for money and do the job well.

How does a Surfboard Soft Rack work?

Basically a soft rack works by fixing to the car and securing the surfboards to the vehicles roof while in transportation. This is done by the use of ratchet straps which are attached to the pads of the soft rack. The first set of ratchet straps fit through the doors of the vehicle and then tightened up to secure the pads to the roof of the vehicle. The pads are designed to provide a cushion for your surfboards on top of the roof  and provide a platform where the surfboards are positioned. The pads also have their own ratchet straps which secure the surfboards to the pads on top of the roof when tightened. All the good soft racks come with neoprene protective covers for the buckles so they don’t scratch your car.

Single or Double Surfboard Roof Rack?

There are two types of soft rack on the market, these are singles or doubles. Depending on how many surfboards you want to transport will depend if you want to buy a single roof rack or a double. A single will typically hold up to five shortboards, three minimals, or three longboards. If you have lots of friends who catch a ride to the beach with you, or you have a large surfing family you may want to go for a double. The double holds twice as many surfboards as the single; I guess that’s why it’s called a double!

If you compare prices from a single to a double rack there really isn’t that much price difference. I would recommend just going for the double if you have more than one surfboard, because the double does give you more flexibility if you ever need to transport more surfboards. However, if you just have one surfboard, I would suggest just buying the single.

Safety?

Driving at a reasonable speed with the soft rack attached is a good idea. I would recommend that you drive no faster than 70mph with the surfboards on the roof of your vehicle. Always have the noses of the boards facing down because this makes transportation a lot more aerodynamic and puts less stress on the rack.  If used correctly these roof rack won’t cause you any issues whatsoever. I have used mine now for over 6 years and they are still as good as new. Also remember to follow the brands fitting instructions!

Cons?

The only problems I have encountered over the years whilst using these soft racks was the straps vibrated when going down the motorway. It wasn’t until I was using them in Portugal I was given a solution to the problem.  I was speaking to a guy about the vibrating problem and he told me that I should twist the straps on the outside of the car to stop the irritating vibrating noise. I was surprised because this simple solution worked!

When it rained heavily the straps got soaked and let in water which ran across the strap and dripped in the car. However, I used a towel around the straps to soak up the dripping water; not ideal but it worked. Also don’t forget to loosen the straps inside the vehicle if you are parked, because if it rains water will get in because the seals to the doors are compressed when the straps are tightened. Loosening the straps relieves the pressure on the seals and provides a water tight seal again.

Unfortunately these soft racks are designed for 5 door cars only. However, i have used them with a 3 door car before and have fed the back soft rack through the boot. The only downside to this is if you have a really shortboard you can’t do this; it has to be a minimal, or longboard.

Which Brand?

I have used a few brands of soft rack ranging from Creatures of Leisure, FCS, Northcore and Rhino. All of these brands worked just as well as each other and price differ that much from one brand to another.  I would buy any of these brands for sure and would highly recommend them.

Rhino Single Roof Rack
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Rhino Double Roof Rack
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You can find all our surfboard roof rack here

The wetsuit centre are giving away a free keypod to a lucky winner. Here’s the link with all details on how to enter Keypod Competition

Find our review here to see what we think about this gadget. Keypod Review

How to win?
- Film and edit a movie connected to surfing
- Submit your film on www.ridersmatch.com between June 25th and July 31st
- Notify your buddies to vote and share your motion picture. (One vote per day allowed)
- The 10 better-rated movies shall be shortlisted for the finals
- A jury of industry experts will choose the three winners.
Who’s judging the comp?
- Pro surfer: Jérémy Flores
- Pro surfer: Pauline Ado
- EuroSIMA President: Frédéric Basse
- Surfrider Foundation Europe President: Gilles Asenjo
- European Surfing Federation President: Xavier Delanne
- International Surf Film Festival Director: Bruno Delaye

To Join the contest on: http://www.ridersmatch.com/surf-video-contest-90.html
And watch the teaser here (free to embed and post): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB2maqvZPds

Best Regards,
Riders Match Team

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No end of times I see people getting changed at the beach and hiding their car keys under the wheel arch of the car. If I were a thief I would look under the wheel arch instantly. I would then proceed to unlock the car and steal the person’s wallet, watch and maybe their car if it was nice. You would think this could never happen to me? Well in fact it didn’t happen to me, it happened to my friend while we were surfing at Machrihanish in Scotland. The funny thing was all that was taken was a surf mag and a small bit of change. My friend was very lucky indeed because the situation could have been a lot worse.

The dilemma going forward for my friend and myself was, where do we hide the car keys when we go for surf? After the theft experience there was always something in the back of your mind ‘You may return from surfing and the bloody cars gone!’ Luckily there’s a product on the market which solves the key issue. This device is called the keypod, I have been using it for over 4 years.
The Review.

This little device is like a safe which attaches to the underside of your car by a locking device which is like a pad lock. The Keypod locks by using a code mechanism which you can change from the default code 0000 to any 4 series code you like. To set the custom key combination was really straight forward, all instructions where located on the packaging. To lock it you simply close the lock and swivel the numbers round to any random combination and it secures.
One of the first things I noticed was the weight of the product, I think it weighs around 600g and this makes it feel heavy duty. The keypod really does feel robust and is made from steel, so it’s as solid as you can get. I guess it would have some water protection, but it is by no mean waterproof. I would have thought if it was under the vehicle then it would be dry anyway.

The compartment isn’t that big and the depth isn’t too great either, I couldn’t put my iphone in there, it was slightly too big. However, this thing is called the Keypod not the iphone pod. All my keys fit in the pod no problem, the flap locks and feels very secure. Even if a thief did locate the Keypod, they would have a job getting in it.

So would I recommend this product? Yes I would! The keypod scores well, it’s portable, very robust, weather resistant, and most importantly very secure. I have used this device in some of the dodgiest surf destinations and never had any problems.

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I have had numerous surfboards over the years and boardbags to offer protection for my quiver. Some boardbags have been alright, some have been good, but my favourite brand has to be Rhino. Rhino offer the highest quality board bags at very competitive prices. While the cheap Rhino 5mm day bags are fit for everyday use, it didn’t have the padded comfortable straps, thick padding which are included with the more expensive Rhino Black Series.

I would rather spend a bit more money and get quality and protection for my surfboard which cost me over £600. I don’t understand buying a cheap day bag? It’s ok if you never plan on leaving the country with your surfboard, but who in their right mind would entertain that idea? I thought surfing was about exploration for waves, and the waves sure do suck in the UK at times. A 10mm travel bag is what I use for everyday use, and for travel aboard.

The Review

The Rhino Black Series board bags are the business when it comes to protecting your surfboard from those pesky baggage handlers. They are available in all shapes and sizes, from retro, shortboard, fish mini mal, longboard and SUP. Armed with 10mm high density foam padding, this board bag is armoured to protect your surfboard from blows and knocks. I have a 9’0 performance longboard and my surfboard fits nicely into the 9’1-9’3 bag with loads of excess room. This excess space is brilliant because I can pack extra foam inside the bag to protect the surfboard further. To date I have never had a bad thing happen to one of my boards on a plane due to using this bag.

This board bag is just quality throughout, and it’s easy to carry due to the padded straps.  It’s not easy carrying a 9’0 surfboard with a strap which digs into your skin and bones, especially if you have a heavy log to carry across Heathrow. Also there’s a strap located on the deck of the bag, this is handy for loading the board.

If you want to travel with your centre fin attached to the board there is a zip slot which you can slot the fin through. Also you can zip the bag up at the tail so the bag has a slimmer fit, if you don’t have the fins fitted. In the tail area of the boardbag also features a large stash pocket for wax, fins, pants and socks.

Another thing I liked about this bag is the protection for the tail. As you can see from the photo my board has a really sharp pin tail which would come to harm if it met a hard surface. There is a 10mm foam flap to go over the tail, which adds 20mm of protection.

I have owned this boardbag now for 4 years and use it daily and for distance travel. My cats have scratched the hell out of it. However, this bag is bullet proof and still looks like it did when I first got it, even though the cats have used it as a scratching post.

Verdict: 9/10

I would genuinely give this boardbag a 9/10 for because it provides very good protection, feels quality and it doesn’t cost that much when you compare it to other brands. Well worth a buy no matter which shape your surfboard is.  Get your surfboard stuck inside one of these boardbags you won’t regret it!

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