Junior wetsuit

On this page, you'll find our best wetsuits for juniors and older children. They come in various styles and with different features. Even though these are wetsuits for older kids, it's still crucial that they keep warm when in the water. The difference between wetsuits for juniors and younger children is that they offer broader applications.

Our range includes brands like Aqua Sphere, Orca, ZONE3, and Watery, all known for their quality and durability. These brands offer wetsuits with excellent insulation and flexibility, so your child can enjoy any water activity.

In short, this means they are also suitable for water sports, where there are plenty of opportunities for different activities like SUP, kayaking, etc. Therefore, it's also important that they have the right thickness, are flexible, and still keep warm.

A junior wetsuit for all occasions

A wetsuit for juniors is not just any wetsuit. They come in various styles and with different features. Therefore, it also matters how old the child is and what it specifically needs to be used for, especially regarding which thickness you should choose.

If you're looking for a wetsuit primarily for swimming, we recommend a swimsuit with 2 mm neoprene and possibly with lycra sleeves, like the one from Aqua Sphere. It will give your child maximum mobility while still keeping warm and providing UV protection. Therefore, it's ideal for the swimming pool, beach, or holiday, where the water temperature is 20 degrees or above.

Another advantage of neoprene is that it provides buoyancy, making it easier for your child to stay afloat while swimming. This benefits both children who are learning to swim and those who want to improve. The thicker the neoprene layer, the more buoyancy it provides, but the warmer the suit will be to wear.

Most junior wetsuits will also be suitable for snorkeling, as long as the water temperature isn't too cold. This is due to both warmth and UV protection, as well as buoyancy. It becomes much easier for children to snorkel on the water's surface when they don't have to exert energy to stay afloat.

However, we recommend also getting a diving mask, snorkel, fins, or a diving set of the right quality, as otherwise, it could ruin the experience. Additionally, we also recommend using water shoes at the beach to avoid stepping on sharp or hot objects.

The most important difference in wetsuits

If you "just" need a wetsuit for the basics, like keeping the child warm or UV protected, most wetsuits will be quite suitable. Here, a neoprene thickness between 2-3 mm is ideal, but there are also other things to consider.

A junior wetsuit should, of course, be comfortable to wear, but it shouldn't cause chafing around the openings. Therefore, on this page, you can also find wetsuits for kids where the openings are lined with softer material that won't scratch or rub against the skin.

If you have a child who just loves open water swimming, we recommend getting a dedicated swimming wetsuit, like one from Orca. It's designed for open water swimming, keeps warm, provides buoyancy, and is visible in the water. Visibility is especially important in open water, as it can otherwise lead to accidents with SUPs, kayaks, or boats.

Therefore, we also recommend equipping your child with a swim buoy or sea bag and possibly a swim cap.

It doesn't have to be that specialized if the junior wetsuit is for water sports above water. This could be paddleboarding or kayaking. Here, it's more important that the wetsuit can keep the child warm and protect against the sun. However, you should still remember that it's mandatory to have a life jacket or swim vest with you.

Proper maintenance of junior wetsuits

As with almost all other swimming gear, the materials that wetsuits are made of are sensitive to chlorine and saltwater. Of course, they are made to be used for swimming in either chlorine or saltwater, but it's important that you rinse it out of the wetsuit after use.

Therefore, we've listed general guidelines to make it easier for you:

• Rinse thoroughly in cold fresh water after each use
• Avoid washing machines and dryers
• Some wetsuits can withstand machine washing at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle
• You may use pH-neutral soap to wash the wetsuit.
• Let it air dry - either indoors or outdoors, but not in sunlight, as it can damage the materials
• Ensure the suit is COMPLETELY dry before storing it

These are, of course, just general tips, so you should be aware that different wetsuits come with their own care instructions. We recommend following them, as with the right care, a junior wetsuit can last a long time.

Buy your junior wetsuit here on Watery.ie

We have a great understanding of children's curiosity and joy for water, which we also share with them. Therefore, it's important to us that you get the best at the best price. When it comes to children and water, you should never compromise, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune.

If you have questions or need advice and guidance, our skilled customer service is ready on the chat or by phone. Together, we'll find what you need.

So why not find the junior wetsuit you need here on the page? You're sure to find what you're looking for.