By Andy Morris (not Taj)

On November 20th, 2008 I got my grubby hands on a sample of the SG5 and lucked into an out-of-season NE groundswell bombarding the northern beaches of Sydney. There has been much documentation about how the water temperature drops considerably after consecutive days of NE winds, thanks to an upwelling effect (or ‘Ekman Transport’). This swell was no exception, the water was cold and I was in the perfect position to put the new Solution SG5 through its paces.

Flag Facebook and come see what went down…

… I wander on down to the water’s edge, cringing at the un-seasonally cold water as my left toes make first contact. “Damn… what the? Brrrrrr. Fark it’s freezing” I whine like someone from warmer pastures. I wade out through the shorey, and notice not a skerrick of water has slipped up my chicken legs. I punch through a few closeouts and still, I feel dry. I make the 70-meter paddle to the take-off zone comfortable, flexible and toasty. I look at the confused crowd; arms crossed, searching for body heat. I smile, my arms hanging loosely. What they don’t know is that I have a solution. The SG5 Solution from Billabong in fact… a warmer, lighter and more flexible layer of skin. A set looms, I paddle fast, faster. I’m in. Ha… suckers. The wave bottoms out, I snap to my feet but it’s too late. I’m already going head first over the falls to suck face with my friend, Rocky, who’s sporting a mop of seaweed. I penetrate the frisky water with a warm buzzing feelin’. Yee-haa this is fun. I roll over the seabed, find my feet between the soft marine algae and kick off towards the light. I surface and instantly feel the suns heat through the solar mesh five. No cold flush, no nothing, just pure, warm comfort. I swan around until I’m spaggetti’d out and head for the dry sand, stoked on my first experience wearing the SG5…

We tested a sample, but the product and more info will be available Feb 1st 2009 at

www.billabongwetsuits.com

RRP: $549.95

Design: 4.5/5
Durability: 4.5/5
Functionality: 5/5
Value: 4/5

Total: 18/20