The short answer is to rinse your blueseventy wetsuit with cool fresh water before the sand dries, then turn it inside out and rinse again. Sand is abrasive. It grinds. The longer it sits in the neoprene, the more it wears down the lining, scratches the outer fabric, and works its way into seams, cuffs, and the zipper track. Getting it out quickly is the single most useful thing you can do to keep the suit in good shape.
Rinse while the suit is still damp
If you can rinse at the beach or right after you get home, do it while the neoprene is still wet. Use a hose, a beach shower, or a bottle of cool fresh water. Cool or lukewarm water flushes out salt, sand, and grit. Hot water is not a shortcut; high heat damages neoprene and weakens seams. Run water over the outside first, then work your way around the ankles, wrists, and neck where sand collects.
Turn the suit inside out
Once the outside is rinsed, turn the blueseventy suit inside out. Start at the legs and work upward; don't yank on the zipper or pull at the shoulders. A suit is easier to turn when it is still wet, and a wet suit is also less likely to catch on itself. With the inside facing out, rinse the full lining, especially the areas that sat against your body.
Flush the seams and cuffs
Sand settles into the same places that hold water: the ankle and wrist cuffs, the neckline, the zipper flap, and the seams. Use a gentle stream of water or your fingers to flush these spots. A soft cloth works too. Avoid brushes and anything abrasive, because scrubbing pushes sand deeper into the neoprene instead of lifting it out. If the suit has stubborn sand, fill a clean basin with cool water and submerge it. Gently agitate the suit by hand, then let the sand settle to the bottom before you lift the suit out. Do not twist, wring, or squeeze the suit hard, and do not put it in a washing machine.
Dry it out of the sun
Hang the suit to dry over a wide hanger or lay it flat in a shaded spot. Direct sunlight and heat sources, including a dryer, will dry out and weaken neoprene over time. Let the outside dry, then flip the suit and let the inside dry fully. That prevents sand hiding in a damp fold from staying trapped and later rubbing a small hole. Once it is completely dry, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving it folded with sharp creases for long periods.
Check for small tears after a sandy swim
Sand and gravel leave behind pinprick holes or small seam splits, especially around the ankles where a heel or a stray pebble has pushed against the suit. After you rinse and dry the suit, inspect those areas in good light. If you find a small puncture, clean the area, let it dry completely, and use a small amount of Aquaseal neoprene cement to seal it. Follow the product directions and give it time to cure before you swim again.
Keep sand out next time
The easiest way to get sand out of a wetsuit is to keep most of it from getting in. Put your suit on while standing on a towel or changing mat, not directly in the sand. When you take it off after a swim, step onto a towel or mat before you remove it, and set the suit down on a clean, dry surface instead of the beach. A large mesh or drawstring bag will let the suit drain while keeping it off the ground.
After any beach or open water swim, a quick freshwater rinse is the habit that protects the neoprene, the seams, and the zipper. Sand out now saves repairs later. If a sandy swim has left a tear you aren't sure about, contact blueseventy support at us@blueseventy.com before you swim again.
