Do I need a wetsuit?
Short answer: yes. There are some days in Seattle and the Gorge when you can windsurf without a wetsuit or drysuit, but most of the time you'll want one. If you're just starting out and don't have a wetsuit, pick a hot day! Just like in skiing, it's easier to learn when you're not shivering. Erica has 2 suits, a 5/4 full suit (from neck to ankles, with thickness of 5 mm and 4 mm in the thin spots) and a 4/3 shorty (short sleeves, legs cut above the knees, thinner neoprene). "They get me through the year," she says. Lisa has a rollover drysuit (for really cold days), 3/2 convertible(full suit, but bottom of sleeve is detachable), and wishes she could fit into her size 5 shorty for really warm days.