Celebrate 32 years of Surfing - New Board & New Custom Wetsuit Review

Photo by Lindsay Zuelich 8-9-22

There are two big things that I did to celebrate my 32 years of surfing. The first thing is I spoiled myself with a new 8 foot Gerry Lopez Surfboard from Surftech. This board is not only the same brand and color as my very first surfboard in 1990 (a single fin 7 foot Gerry Lopez from late 70's/early 80's), but it is also the same red lightning bolts on the rails. This board will always remind me of that very first summer I started surfing and the stoke I had trying to stand up and ride my first wave without falling. 

Photo by Lindsay Zuelich 7-10-22

Plus with the new Surftech epoxy technology the 8 foot Gerry Lopez Pocket Rocket is lighter, faster and stronger than ever before. I've wanted this board ever since I saw it in the Surftech Catalogue a few years ago. I've ridden tons of surfboards over the years, all shapes and sizes. Most of the time I'll bring three surfboards with me when I go surf just so I can dial-in the best surfboard for the waves. Sometimes I'll even swap out boards mid surf session. 

Photos by Lindsay Zuelich 7-10-22

The 8 foot Gerry Lopez Pocket Rocket  surfboard is dreamy. It works is all sorts of wave conditions, big and fast, small and slow, rolly or steep. It is one of my top 3 surfboards of all time! #1 is my high performance 9 foot by Surftech (2004 model), #2  is the 8 foot Gerry Lopez Pocket Rocket by Surftech, #3 is the 6'4 Donald Takayama Scorpion 2 by Surftech. Give it a little more time and this could be my new #1 surfboard of all time... Either way I can't wait to explore what the new Surftech surfboards will come out next!

Photo by Lindsay Zuelich 8-9-22

That bring me to the the second thing that I did to celebrate 32 years of surfing. I bought a new suit, not just any surf a custom tailored two piece wetsuit made with Yamamoto premium neoprene made by 7Till8. 7Till8 is a local Southbay wetsuit company that is stylish and earth friendly. I called them up, made an appointment to get fitted, then a few weeks later I got my custom fit 2 piece spring suit. And just as a bonus I picked up an aloha reversible vest to add a few more comfort options depending on the summer wind and water conditions. 

Photo by Lindsay Zuelich 8-13-22

I couldn't be more stoked on how my new suit turned out! It fits perfectly! I've always been tall and slim and finding high performance wetsuits that fit me has been extremely challenging. And it's no wonder that after all my sports injuries that my body is anything but symmetrical, and those unique body features make getting a custom wetsuit so worth it. I'm already planning out my next wetsuit for this winter! I'm ready to be completely comfortable and not worry about cold water flooding down my back or up my ankles. All that trust and comfort in my wetsuit will allow me to stay focused on what matters most- getting more waves! 

Photo by Lindsay Zuelich 8-13-22

I highly recommend that you check out both surftech and 7till8 for your new surfboard and custom wetsuit! 

Testing out a custom wetsuit from 7till8

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno