Kids' Wetsuits Were NOT Always That Great - Stab Mag

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

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Kids’ Wetsuits Were NOT Always That Great

The second class citizens of the wetsuit world no more.

elsewhere // May 20, 2022
Words by Coral McDuffee
Reading Time: 3 minutes

My armpits loathe bad wetsuit technology.

Remember that dreaded size 4-16 youth rack that was littered with stiff rubber, awful seam-work, and slow-drying technology? We accepted the red holes that burrowed into skin crevices, a neon color scheme or two, and that forever wet wetsuit smell that still lingers in our parents’ cars. 

Not only did we endure the suits, we lived in them — until the holes were unmanageable or blinding. 

Nowadays, kids are fortunate enough to have access to the same high performance materials and construction as adults.

Buell’s Junior RB1 and RB2 wetsuit lines are smaller replicas of Jamie O’Brien’s and Dane Reynolds’ signature suits.

Some of the world’s best juniors have taken a liking to the high-performance materials. As a result, Buell has one of the most impressive youth rosters in surfing.

There’s Teddy Wittemann, the 14-year-old USA Surfing East Coast Champion, whose favorite suits are the JOB RB1 Springsuit and the RB1 Accelerator 3/2 Fullsuit. The Melbourne native will be putting his 3/2 to the test in the upcoming USA National Championships at Lower Trestles.

Good luck finding one of these at Lowers, Teddy.

Chesney Guinotte is fearless. The 13-year-old can be seen charging Waimea, Pipe, Sunset, Rocky, and V-Land in her girls’ long sleeve kind cut. Her sights are set on big-wave records and a college degree.

Chesney Guinotte emerges from Backdoor looking unfazed.

Athan John Robertson is an 11-year-old surfer from Jacksonville, Florida. The preteen has his sights set on the CT and has a list of accolades to back it.

Athan with a perfected podium grin

Brody Piece (aka Broshacula) is a lil beastie from NorCal. At Pleasure Point, he rocks his JOB RB1 Tiger 4/3. The 2021 NSSA Mini Grom Champion has plans to charge (more) Pipeline.

The first of a series, I’m sure.

Zoey Kaina, for Stab High Ladybird, has her sights set on Olympic Gold and World Title (or two). Lately, she’s been dominating the U12 NSSA Open in her RB1 Accelerator 3/2.

Zoey Kaina displaces more water than most men

Vela Mattie wants to land an air reverse. Undeniably, she has the potential to do so – the Santa Barbara local recently scored a perfect ten and took the win at the Rincon Classic.

Vela Matte showering her onlookers.

Buell’s breakthrough technology saves pits and stretches grom sessions to the max.

Make your kids’ day here

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