Triathlon clothing serves as a performance garment which is designed specifically for use in a triathlon and can be worn throughout the duration of your race or training session. Triathlon clothing or TriSuits are designed to be quick drying so they can be worn under a wetsuit and allow you to transition to your bike without changing. The TriSuit must also provide sufficient padding for comfortable use on the bike and then work as a running garment without causing chafing or discomfort through the gusset padding. Most manufacturers produce triathlon clothing which ticks each of these boxes and use materials that provide excellent moisture management properties with added features for enhanced comfort and performance. The main choice you need to make is whether you prefer a one piece or a two piece clothing option.

<b> Key Considerations & Next steps </b>
<ul>
<li>1. Budget - the majority of Triathlon manufacturers produce a range of clothing to fit different budgets (typically between £50 and £150). As a general rule, the higher priced suits will have more design features aimed at improving the performance and comfort of the suit.</li>
<li>2. The main purpose for buying a TriSuit - are you looking for entry level clothing to get in to the sport / are you already a keen Triathlete looking for a TriSuit that will be suitable for training and racing / are you looking for a TriSuit just for racing?</li>
<li>3. What distance events will you be using the TriSuit for - most manufacturers produce clothing that is targeted at either shorter or longer distance events. Triathlon suits designed for longer distance events will typically provide additional padding for comfort on the bike and pockets to hold energy bars and gels.</li>
<li>4. One piece or two piece triathlon clothing? You will be surprised at the amount of debate that goes on around this question amongst Triathletes but most of it comes down to personal preference.</li><br>
<li>1. One piece triathlon suits ('all in one suits') are the more common choice amongst Triathletes especially if the swim is non-wetsuit. There is less chance of chafing around the waist with a single piece however most Tri-tops, which form the top half of a 2-piece suit, now have hems and seams that are designed for comfort.</li>
<li>2. Two piece triathlon suits are still very common and some athletes find that they provide a better range of movement. They also typically keep the athlete slightly cooler as they are not a single piece of material covering the waist and back area; however this should not be a major consideration in your choice as most single piece suits contain mesh panels for added ventilation. Two piece suits also come with a range of different styles of top, from a vest to a t-shirt which can also be changed between bike and run.</li>
<li>5. All good manufacturers will produce Female specific TriSuits with varying amounts of bust support; however if you choose to wear a sports bra under the suit, this might influence your choice and we would recommend trying both styles before you make a purchase.</li>
<li>6. Think about whether you want storage pockets at the back of the suit for nutrition, bike spares or an MP3 player (remember that MP3 devices are not allowed in many triathlon races).</li>
<li>7. Consider whether or not you actually want to wear the TriSuit under your Wetsuit during the swim - if time in transition is not really a priority for you then maybe you don't actually need a TriSuit? Another option is to wear a pair of compression shorts for the bike and run with some cycling shorts over the top for the bike leg; this also provides the option of changing tops for the bike and run.</li>
<li>8. Another area that is often overlooked is the Zip. Most single piece suits will have a zip and these will be at the front or back of the suit - zips are great for ventilation but can cause discomfort if the fit of the suit is not right. Two piece suits come in a range of different top styles with or without zips.</li></ul>

Next steps:

Once you have taken these considerations in to account, try and find a retailer that offers a range of TriSuits and gear for you to try as each manufacturer's clothing sizes and styling will be different.

TriSuits are designed to be tight fitting so they retain their shape during the swim, do not flap around on the bike and do not rub and cause discomfort on the run. Whilst a TriSuit should be tight fitting, it should not restrict breathing in any way and above all it should be comfortable throughout the course of your training session or triathlon race.

Image taken on 2006-02-08 14:02:09 by john curley.

If you're new to surfing, finding the right surf gear can be confusing; once you start to look, you'll find there's a huge range of clothing, equipment and accessories available and it all varies in quality, style and price. The good news is, by doing a little homework you can easily work out what essentials you need to get yourself into the water – so here are a few tips to get you started.

Before you make any decisions about what to buy, you need to think about where you'll be surfing, what your ambitions are and whether you'll be hitting the waves regularly or just a couple of times per year. For example, if you're going to be surfing all year round in the UK, you'll need thicker wetsuits and more accessories – like gloves and hoods – than if you plan on heading abroad to do your surfing in warmer climes.

Secondly, remember that some parts of your surf gear wardrobe are more important than others. In many parts of the world, including the UK, wetsuits are essential in order to maintain your body temperature in cold conditions, so it's worth investing in a good one. Don't be put off if your last experience of wearing a wetsuit was at school, when you were given an ill-fitting, leaky black thing that barely kept any cold out: wetsuits have improved dramatically over the last few years, and the best ones will keep you in the water for as long as you like. Other essential items to get you going include rash vests, leashes and, of course, a board.

Of course, once you've got started and made the important purchases there are many other items to buy in order to improve your surfing ability and maximise your beach cool. If you can find a shop that stocks a good variety of all the essential items, the chances are they will also offer many useful extras like board wax and fins, plus a great range of casual surf gear to make sure you look great both in the water and on the beach. Happy surfing!

Image taken on 2009-07-25 14:13:57 by Stéfan.

www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk Jeff from the Wetsuit Centre walks you through the in's and out's of the O'Neill Psycho RG8 Winter Wetsuit for 2011

Wherever you're surfing, getting the right wetsuit is essential. Finding a suit that fits and works for your particular activity can not only make surfing more enjoyable but it can protect you from dangers and difficulties in the water.

Water temperature is one key element – most surfing takes place in reasonably warm waters but some are warmer than others and it's important that your wet suit and all you surf clothing takes this accountant. Wetsuits come with varying lengths of legs and sleeves. Naturally shorter sleeves are best for warmer waters. The thickness of the suit is also a very important consideration. These essential elements of surf clothing are often sold in 3mm and 6mm specifications. If you're in waters above 85 degrees, for instance it would be sensible to go for a short leg and short sleeve wetsuit with a thickness of 2mm.  For a temperature of around 60 or 70 degrees a thickness of 6-7mm is ideal.

But remember – the warm rating varies between one make and another and so a thicker suit might not necessarily be warmer than a thinner one. You also have to consider flexibility and how snug the fit is, some people don't mind a tight fit while others find that it restricts movement and can even be claustrophobic.

As well as the stitching, another thing to bear in mind type of material, usually neoprene, that it's made up of. What is known by some people as a chemical blown wetsuit has a soft and light feel, and is much less expensive than the durable and stronger gas blown wetsuit. If money is no object than there are even Titanium suits that will keep you warmer. Discussing these options with a good surf clothing retailer is always a good idea as if borrowing a friend's suit if possible to see what suits you.

Image taken on 2009-10-14 11:46:40 by mikebaird.

If you are looking for a true surfer's paradise, you need to jog on round to New Zealand. This remote island is blessed with all the things that make for the perfect surf. Strong winds, the force of the Pacific Ocean, currents to liven things up a little and surf shops in abundance supplying every type of wetsuit, surf board, sex wax and surfing paraphernalia you could possibly wish for.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries you could possibly wish to live in or visit. Life is as laid back as any surfer could possibly dream for. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and every road leads to a beach with breaks that will challenge you and beg to be conquered.

However, underlying the serenity of New Zealand there still simmers a debate about land ownership between New Zealanders that originate from the West and Maoris. This will still come up from time to time and surfers have encountered this exact thing. Donned with wetsuits and boards, they have recently found themselves turned away from two of the favourite surfing beaches, Sky Williams and Mangahume at Taranaki. This, some say, is because the Maoris want to reclaim this land but even the surfers themselves believe it is not so.

The land is privately owned and is home to three cemeteries that restricted access is protecting. Maoris hold a lot of store by their ancestors and even by Western standards it is only right to respect burial grounds. Taranaki is on the Western coast of New Zealand, near New Plymouth, and surfers from all over the world will head there in the summer to catch a few waves. There is concern that shutting two of the favourite hotspots will affect the tourist industry but having been there myself, I doubt this very much. New Zealand has vast amounts of coastline, all ideal for surfers to dip their wetsuits.

Next best surfing opportunities after New Zealand have to be Hawaii, the true home of surfing. World famous competitions are held here due to the perfect waves. Any new producer of wetsuits would do well to have their product showcased in Hawaii, that's one thing that will propel them straight into main stream surfing circles.

Originally, surfing was considered a sport of royalty who could afford to move around the world throughout the year, always having access to the best waves. It has now become a sport for all and is one that will keep you fit and strong and tanned.

For Hawaiian surfing, you are best to pack up your wetsuit and board and head north between November and March. Waves generated from Alaskan winter storms head into Hawaii creating a surfers paradise. The make-up of the ocean floor on Oahu's north beaches are perfect for riding monster waves and endless barrels. For wind surfing, Hookipa Beach at Maui is where you need to be.

You would be wasting your time trying to surf north Hawaii during the summer months as the sea is as smooth as glass. It's tropical storms in the south Pacific that send their shock waves in the form of surfing waves to the south of the island during summer months. Waikiki Beach at Oahu and Poipu Beach at Kauai are where you need to be for surfing and boogie boarding conditions.

There are surfing possibilities around the world all year round. True dedicated surfers will follow the waves and compete to be the best. For the rest of us it's a seasonal past time that requires a dust off of the old surf board that's been propped in the garage for the last six months and a deodorizing spray of the stinky wetsuit.