Wetsuit
A wetsuit is a close-fitting neoprene suit worn in water sports to help keep the wearer warm in cold water.
Definition
A wetsuit is a snug suit made from neoprene, a flexible foam rubber full of tiny gas bubbles that insulate against the cold. A thin layer of water seeps in and is warmed by the body, and the suit slows how quickly that warmth is lost, helping the wearer stay comfortable in cool or cold water. Thicker neoprene gives more insulation, while thinner suits allow more freedom of movement.
Wetsuits come in styles from sleeveless shorties to full-length suits covering the arms and legs, and are used across surfing, scuba diving, open-water swimming, triathlon and other water sports. They differ from a drysuit, which seals out water entirely rather than trapping a warmed layer against the skin.
Where you’ll hear “wetsuit”
Sports that use this term:
Surfing
An ocean board sport of paddling into waves and riding them toward shore, balancing skill and reading the sea.
Scuba Diving
An underwater sport using breathing equipment to explore beneath the surface, always learned through qualified training.
Open-Water Swimming
Swimming in lakes, rivers and the sea, blending endurance training with the experience of being out in nature.
Triathlon
A multi-sport endurance event that links swimming, cycling and running into one continuous race.
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Equipment
- WetsuitA close-fitting neoprene suit that keeps the wearer warm in cold water.
- Resistance bandA stretchy elastic band that provides resistance for strength and mobility work.
- Climbing shoesClose-fitting rubber-soled shoes that grip small holds in climbing and bouldering.
- Swimming gogglesSealed eyewear that lets swimmers see clearly and keep water out of the eyes.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
Skills
- Front crawlThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating arm pulls and a flutter kick while face-down.
- BreaststrokeA swimming stroke using a symmetrical arm sweep and a frog-like kick, with the head lifting to breathe.
- Treading waterThe skill of staying afloat and upright in deep water without moving anywhere.
- DribblingThe skill of moving with the ball under close control to beat opponents or keep possession.
- Core stabilityThe skill of engaging the trunk muscles to keep the body strong and controlled through movement.
Practice & sessions
- Mobility sessionA session built around moving well through a range of motion — gentle, controlled work to help the body move freely.
- Technical sessionA session built around technique — grooving and refining the mechanics of how a movement or shot is executed.
- Conditioning sessionA session built around physical conditioning — developing the fitness qualities a sport draws on, rather than its skills or tactics.
- Tactical sessionA session built around tactics — how you use space, position and patterns of play, rather than the mechanics of a shot.
- Recovery sessionA deliberately easy session — gentle movement to help the body feel better and adapt, rather than to push hard.
Player roles
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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