Customer Interview Series: Amanda on Finding a Wetsuit That Goes Everywhere

How did you first come across Summer Sun and what made you decide to try us?

We had just had our third little baby and were planning a trip around Australia when she was 4 months old. We were starting by heading down south to Tassie so knew we would need something to keep the kids warm even though it was Summer. One of our friends little boys was rocking a summer sun wettie and we saw how comfortable he was in it and how cute they looked so decided to get one each for the kids and have never looked back!

Pictured: Springsuit Wetsuit – Candy Pink
Springsuit Wetsuit – Forest Green
Springsuit Wetsuit – Marine Blue

What were you looking for in a wetsuit for your family before you found us?

Before we had our trusty Summer Sun wetties the boys had steamers for the winter months and it was always such a mission to get them on and off and honestly they hated putting them on. When looking for a wetsuit for our trip we wanted them to be comfortable enough to wear all day, soft and flexible (a lot of the steamers are really stiff and hard to move in), made to last and of course look super cute to! Being made of natural rubber is also a bonus not just for the planet but for the kids skin when they are wearing them for hours on end. Summer Sun ticked all the boxes.

Pictured: Springsuit Wetsuit – Candy Pink

You and your kids live such an active, outdoorsy life — what does a wetsuit need to deliver for your family across all the different things you get up to?

Our kids are happiest outside, they are usually outdoors from sun up to sun down rain, hail or shine. We needed a wetsuit that was easy to put on and off, warm enough for them to surf in but also comfortable enough to wear for hours on end on the beach and also protects them from the elements (sun, wind and rain). 

Pictured: Springsuit Wetsuit – Forest Green
Springsuit Wetsuit – Marine Blue

What is it about Summer Sun that keeps you coming back — what do we do that others don't?

The biggest thing that stands out with Summer Sun wetsuits (besides how cute they look) is how soft and comfortable they are. So many wetsuits are made out of cheap material that are stiff and uncomfortable and make it hard for them to move freely. You can tell just by looking at summer sun wetsuits how comfortable and well made they are.

Is there a moment — a surf, an adventure, a day at the beach — where our wetsuit really stood out for you?

A moment when Summer Sun wetsuits really stood out to me was not at the beach or on the coast. We were out in the middle of Australia, just past Alice Springs along the east McDonnell ranges. It was the middle of winter, the days were hot but the water was very cold. At every water hole we went to our kids were pretty much the only ones swimming, jumping off rocks and exploring the water holes because they had there wetsuits on to keep them warm. They are some of my favourite memories from our time inland. 

Surfing with your kids looks like such a big part of your family life — how did that start and what does it mean to you?

Surfing with my kids is literally my favourite thing on earth to do, it brings me so much joy just being in the ocean with them and watching them experience all that the ocean has to offer. I started just taking them out on the longboard on small days and soon enough they were arguing over whose turn it is to go first and who got more waves. Definitely being warn and comfortable plays a huge role, no kids enjoy being cold in the water.

What do your kids say about their wetsuits — do they have a favourite colour or style they always reach for?

The kids love there wetsuits, they would pick them any day over putting on a steamer when it’s really cold. They are just so much more comfortable for them and so easy to put on and off. They literally grow with them, I can’t believe how long they have fitted them perfectly for! 

As a mum with kids who are constantly in the water, what were the biggest challenges you were trying to solve — whether that was keeping them warm, sun protection, being able to spot them easily, or something else entirely?

Kids get so cold in the water, we even take our Summer Sun wetsuits to Bali because after half an hour or so in the water they start getting cold so it just lets them be comfortable for longer and get more joy out of being in the ocean. Anything that can drag out our beach day that little bit longer is a huge yes from me which is why I love Summer Sun label so much!

How has finding the right wetsuit changed things for you and your kids — has it made your time in the water easier, more enjoyable, or given you more peace of mind?

We always end up staying there for hours and hours and friends come and go and the kids go in and out of the water. I love that they stay warm but also protected from the sun when they have their wetsuits on. I find it so much easier to parent down at the beach rather than at home. The beach pretty much parents for you, providing endless adventure, excitement and entertainment (as long as I make sure I pack the snacks). 

How would you describe your family's lifestyle — what does a typical weekend look like for you all?

A typical day for us involves waking up and heading straight to the beach with a coffee for sunrise. The kids will play on the beach and then always end up in the water whether that’s swimming, surfing, snorkelling or just exploring the rock pools.