Surf & Wetsuit Guides

Wetsuit fit, thickness and care, plus where and how to surf around Australia. Written from Sydney, where the seasons run opposite to yours.

Practical guides from the Flatrock Surf team in Sydney. Work out which wetsuit thickness suits your water temperature, how a suit should fit and how to make it last, then plan your next trip with our beach and surf-trip guides. The same thinking goes into our 3/2mm fullsuit and 1.5mm wetsuit top.

Surfer in a full wetsuit sitting on the back of an old pickup beside a surfboard, looking out to sea

What Wetsuit Do I Need in the US? Water Temperatures by Coast (°F)

October 11, 2026

Which wetsuit thickness for each US coast, from Southern California to New England, using NOAA monthly water temperatures in °F.

Surfer walking and carrying a surfboard in the Flatrock Surf Sarvo Series III wetsuit on the beach

How a Custom Surfboard Is Made: From Foam Blank to Finished Board

October 9, 2026

A custom surfboard goes from foam blank to glassed board in four stages: shaping, glassing, sanding and fitting fins. Here's how it's made, plus what to tell your shaper when...

Springsuit, Wetsuit Top or Fullsuit? What to Wear in 68°F+ (20°C+) Water

October 6, 2026

Springsuit, 1.5mm wetsuit top or 3/2mm fullsuit? We break down who each suits, the pros and cons, and give you a clear verdict for warm-water surfing.

Spring Surf Fitness: How to Get Paddle-Fit Before Summer

October 2, 2026

Six to eight weeks of short, regular training is enough to rebuild your paddle endurance, shoulder mobility and pop-up power before summer. Here's the routine we run each spring.

7 Common Beginner Surfing Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

September 29, 2026

Seven small mistakes hold back almost every beginner surfer, from sitting too far back on the board to wearing a wetty that fights your paddle stroke. Here's how to spot...

How Surfboard Fin Setups Evolved: Single Fin, Thruster, Quad

September 25, 2026

Every fin setup started as a fix for something that wasn't working. Here's how the single fin, twin, Australian-invented thruster and quad came about, and which one suits your board...

How Should a Wetsuit Fit? A Sizing Guide for Surfers

September 22, 2026

A wetty should feel like a firm second skin. It's snug and sealed, but you can still move freely. Work through our six-point try-on test from neck to ankles, and...

When Should You Switch to a Lighter Wetsuit This Spring?

September 18, 2026

Spring air warms up fast, but the water takes weeks to catch up. Here's how to check real conditions across Australia's surf regions before you drop down a wetsuit thickness.

5 Cold-Water Wetsuit Features That Actually Keep You Warm

September 15, 2026

Wetsuit warmth in cold water comes down to five specific construction details, not the thickness number stamped on the label. Here's how the seams, zip, panel mapping, lining and seals...

How to Store Your Wetsuit After Winter (Without Wrecking It)

September 11, 2026

Most wetsuit damage doesn't happen in the water. It happens over the six months your wetty sits folded away through spring and summer. Here's how to wash it, check it...

Shortboard Buying Guide: Volume, Fit and Warmth Explained

September 8, 2026

Buying a shortboard isn't just about your skill level, it's about how much work your wetsuit is doing for you right now. Here's how volume, rocker and tail shape should...

Best Surfboards for Beginners in Australia: How to Pick Your First Board

September 4, 2026

Your first board comes down to volume, not hype. Here's how foamies, mini-mals and fish stack up at Aussie beach breaks, plus the wetty to pair with it this spring.