The producers of the Channel Five hit TV Series, The Gadget Show approached us a little while back in order to help out with a little wetsuit test they were about to embark on – and we were only too happy to help.

The “hands-on” test was going to pitch the very latest in wetsuit technology against each other. In the blue corner was Billabong’s brand new solar-heated wetsuit – the Billabong SG5, and in the red corner the favourite – the Rip Curl H-Bomb (supplied by the Wetsuit Centre).

Once the Presenters, Gail Porter and Jason Bradbury got all togged up it was time to take on the wetsuit cold water challenge, a series of cold water tests designed to see who would stay warm the longest.

The face-off started with a ice-box challenge, with Gail wearing the Rip Curl SG5 and Jason in the H-Bomb sitting in an ice-box for a full 5 minutes. Then it was a mad dash to pick up a couple of lilos and head off down the rapids at the Nene Whitewater Centre. With thermal imaging cameras runnin alongside the intrepid twosome, it was easy to see which wetsuit was holding the heat.

You can check out the video for yourself – but just so you know ….. our Rip Curl H-Bomb romped home a worthy winner. (Ok it is three times the price of the Billabong SG5 – but it looks like the bar has been set for other winter wetsuits manufacturers to catch up).

Watch the Gadget Show Wetsuit Challenge

Impressed by the reviews?? Buy the Rip Curl H-Bomb online or give the Wetsuit Centre a call on 01202 302943 to give one a try.

What with all the recent wind and rain down here along the South Coast one would think that Autumn had arrived. And although we have all the Summer holidays to look forward to yet, you may be a little surprised to hear that the new range of 2010 Winter Wetsuits are starting to hit the shops.

We thought we would get in early and give you an insight into the new suits. As you will imagine there is even more technology going into surfing wetsuits this year as the major brands like Rip Curl, O’Neill, Xcel and Billabong roll out their new Winter season lines.

We are going to be carrying out in-depth reviews of all the main wetsuits in the future – but here is a taster of the latest winter wetties from O’Neill that you will be able to buy very soon.

O´Neill Epic 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010

O'Neill Epic Winter Wetsuit 2010

Already a fantastic and popular wetsuit, the Epic has been reinvented for 2010 with slick new graphics as well as taking on many of the features of the more expensive Psycho range. O’Neill have added in the Ultraflex firewall in the chest area and a new double seal neck closure. You will be amazed at the price tag as well – as this wetsuit now comes in at nearly half the price of the Psycho 1.

So there you have it a fantastic winter wetsuit with all the latest technology to keep you warm – at an amazing price.

Check out the full specification and buy the new O´Neill Epic 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010 online

O´Neill Psycho 1 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010

O'Neill Psycho Winter Wetsuit 2010

The O’Neill R&D department have spent the Spring redesigning the Psycho 1 and continue to push the boundaries in wetsuit technology.

Put the Psycho 1 2009 and the 2010 version side by side and you can immediately see where they developments have been made. The O´Neill Psycho 1 now features a minimal seam design combined with the UltraFlex DS technology which now makes this wetsuit one of the lightest and most flexible wetsuits on the market.

Check out the full specification and buy the new O´Neill Psycho 1 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010 online.

O´Neill Psycho 2 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010

O'Neill Psycho 2 Winter Wetsuit 2010

If you are one of those surfers that perhaps feels the cold more than your mates, then the O’Neill Psycho 2 will definitely give you that extra warmth for your winter surf sessions.

O’Neill have taken the Psycho 1 and added in a stitchless Double Fluid Weld and UltraFlex Firewall technology and produced a wetsuit that is one of the warmest, lightest and most flexible suits on the planet.

The Psycho 2 really is loaded with high performance features including the new X-Type Firewall and Ultraflex XDS neoprene which means you retain more body heat whilst being able to surf without any restrictions. Getthe fit right with this wetsuit and you have the ultimate Winter wetsuit.

Check out the full specification and buy the new O´Neill Psycho 2 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010 online

The girls were out in force last weekend when the The Rip Curl & Hawaiian Tropic Girls Tour came to Sorted Surf School here in Boscombe.

Tempted by the lure of the first artificial surf reef, the Rip Curl promoters made the trip across the channel and brought a whole load of surf goodies and special celebrities such as 2 x Womens World Surfing champion, Steph Gilmore.

The two day event took place right on the beach outside the Sorted Surf Shop & Surf School premises and couldn’t have been better. Blessed with perfect weather, it was a chance for the groups of local enthusiastic surfing novices to throw themselves in, learning from scratch or trying new tricks and maneuvers surrounded by qualified instructors and professional Rip Curl riders.

The event was exclusively for girls and was great to see Steph and her team mates offering inspiration and confidence to any girl who was looking to try something new or enhance their surfing techniques. The event wasn’t only about surfing, as the girls had a chance to join in with Hula dancing, art workshops, yoga and just letting their hair down.

Judge for yourself from the photos and video clip what a great time they had.

Check out the latest Rip Curl Ladies Wetsuits deals and more over at www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk or if you are feeling inspired and want to try you hand at surfing – check out our new Bournemouth Surf School website with lots of great package deals for learning to surf in Bournemouth.

Check out the video from the recent Rip Curl Girls Tour 2009 at Sorted Surf School!