The S2AS / Spartan team have been developing a specialist Kite surfing wetsuit.
Phase 1 - the development of the Spartan Vortex 3/3. This wetsuit met lots of the requirements but we still needed a better ballooning solution. The wetsuit also required more flexibility in the shoulders. The team also felt that Kitesurfing required a different type of neck seal to ensure no water penetration. There was huge debate and experimenting with a vertical zip versus the over the head zip in front. The final conclusion was that this type of suit seal is uncomfortable for a kiter and that the vertical zip felt more comfortable.
Phase 2 - the development a 3.2. We experimented with a fluid weld on the inside and out of the wetsuit. And concluded that the internal weld was an expensive waste of time. It gathered sand, was uncomfortable and felt cold almost like it was forming a bridge. This phase saw the development between and over neck internal barrier versus the back barrier with no over the head solution. We found that the over the neck solution proved easier to put on and felt very comfortable. We also noticed that it made a better seal and agreed that the Pro Kitesurf range would have over the head internal barriers.
WE considered some padding on the shins and are considering it on the entry suit but the pro Kite surfer will be beyond this protection requirement.
The wetsuit worked well in terms of flexibility and comfort and preventing water entering. The osmotic holes by the foot allowed water to escape and reduced ballooning but the debate went on and more testing was needed
Phase 3 – the introduction of the Pro Kite wetsuit. The development of the summer suit has taken some time and a lot of attention to detail. The team has agreed that the suit should have a large single chest and back covering for warmth, as the single lined material is the only true defense against cooling from evaporation, which is the problem with a double lined material.
The rest of the suit would be double lined with long arms, ¾ legs, a vario neck seal, overhead barrier, sealed vertical zip, super flex materials in the arms and shoulders, more durable materials around the lower half of the suit. We are testing this suit and believe we will have exactly what a kite surfer wants and needs from a suit.
We will keep you posted
All the best from the team
John, Mark, Angelo, Oli and Stefan