Kids love the water. It is a thing of wonder and discovery; water makes their world bigger and more exciting. Playing in the water is not only fun but is good for them. The more they play in the water, the more opportunities we, grown-ups, have to teach them water safety and about water environments. Getting them outside promotes healthy little bodies and minds. Most of all, playing in the water is fun for the whole family. Even the most reserved adult lets go a little to do summersaults in the water. Our love of the water is developed early and is never truly outgrown…hello, future divers.
It is their nature to play and explore with water, but it is our job to keep them safe while doing it. We stay close, follow water safety practices and teach them to swim and float, but one thing tends to get overlooked, exposure protection. Where the waters are cold, a kid’s wetsuit may be a no-brainer, but even in warmer waters it is a good idea, and here are a few reasons why.
WHY KIDS AND TEENS NEED WETSUITS:
- : Think back to when you were a kid and wanted to play in the ocean. You didn’t care if the water had ice cubes in it; you were going to frolic in the waves. Kids get so excited to play in the water that they are less likely to recognize when they are cold. Without a wetsuit, they can quickly go from mild chill to actual hypothermia fast. Even in tropical waters hypothermia can happen. Unless the water is actual body temperature (average 98.6), then heat loss will happen. A wetsuit helps insulate your kid’s tiny body from the surrounding waters. It will allow them to safely (and comfortably) play for as long as you’ll allow them.
- : Water temperature is not the only thing that can turn a good day of swimming in the ocean into a bad one fast. A jellyfish just going about its business can give kids a sting if they don’t see it coming. In fact, there are many small stinging creatures that can wreak havoc on exposed skin. Abrasions can happen while playing in the waves, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Wetsuits not only insulate kids from the cold but protect them from environmental hazards.
- : When we were kids, we were lucky if our parents even put sunblock on us before sending us out to play. Today, we know the damage sun can do to delicate skin. However, sunblock washes off and becomes less effective with active play in the water, and needs to be reapplied. Kids wetsuits, even BARE’s lightweight wetsuits, help protect tender skin from the sun without chemicals. Not only will they be able to play longer and have more fun, but they will thank you for it when they grow up.
- : Kids wetsuits won’t replace the need for a proper life jacket or swim lessons, but thicker models will provide some minor flotation assistance. The extra buoyancy is helpful for older kids who are learning to snorkel by making them float a little easier. The thicker the wetsuit, the more buoyant it will be. If you are looking for actual flotation assistance for a toddler learning to swim, BARE offers wetsuits with removable flotation panels.
WETSUITS: TODDLER TO TEEN
A wetsuit works by warming up water that gets trapped between the body and the inside of the suit. The less water that flows in and out of the suit, the warmer your child stays. It is tempting to buy a wetsuit with room-to-grow, but a loose wetsuit will not perform properly. When fitting a kid’s wetsuit, it should fit the body with very little bunching. While rashguards are great for abrasion and sun protection, layering with a rashguard under the wetsuit will reduce its performance. When donning a wetsuit, have your child remove the rashguard first.
Right around age two is when children grow more independent around the water and want to spend more time exploring. Age two is a good age to introduce a wetsuit because it provides sun protection, warmth and abrasion protection to unstable walkers.
- : 1.5mm neoprene shorty wetsuit provides UV protection and a little warmth without restricting movement. Good for warm tropical waters or swimming pools.
- 1MM DOLPHIN FLOATY: The Dolphin Floaty wetsuit offers UV protection, added warmth and flotation all in one suit. It comes with built-in flotation panels that can be removed as your child’s swimming skills improve. This kids wetsuit is perfect for toddlers learning to swim.
- : The Tadpole Shorty is perfect for playing in the surf. It provides 2mm of neoprene warmth, and the BARESKIN Chest Plate sheds water, shields against the wind and provides abrasion protection.
: As kids and teens grow more active in the water, the more protection they will need. BARE’s line of full and shorty kids wetsuits are durable and designed to keep them warmer longer.
- : The Manta Shorty has heavy-duty construction, BARESKIN Chest Plate, and 2MM neoprene to provide sun and abrasion protection, and warmth. This wetsuit is perfect for warmer ocean temperatures.
- : This youth wetsuit offers 3 mm on the body and 2mm on the arms and legs. It provides full body protection without sacrificing flexibility. It is perfect for hours of warm water watersports
- : A full kids wetsuit with 5mm body, and 4mm arms and legs. Perfect for moderate water temperatures.
- : When the waters turn cold, make sure your little water lover stays warm with the 7/6MM Manta Full. With added features to keep them warmer, this wetsuit is perfect for hours of surfing, snorkeling or dives.
