Something happens after you turn 40. Your wetsuit ceases to flatter. Attention from women begins a disturbing downturn. Not that I'm admitting being 40, but all those other things seem to be happening at once. Plus, I'm becoming a wimp in the water. Once, I could dive in my underwear in winter and be just fine, whether I was diving off California or Cayman. Now, I get out after an hour at Stingray City in summer and would rather have hot tea than water. Geez, it just sneaks up on you, you know?

Recently I had a wetsuit epiphany, if there is such a thing. I took the Bare Velocity 3/2 mm to Roatan. I dived with it all week and, in my move-as-little-as-possible dive style, actually stayed warm all week. The water hovered around 79-80 degrees. As an underwater photographer, I tend to sit and wait, exercising my lack of patience, usually getting cold while waiting for some critter to warm up to me. Things were no different here, except for the getting cold part. I particularly appreciated the superman-suit-like fit of the hydrostretch material and flatseam stitching. Plus, there's a body-conforming lumbar panel, which keeps the lower back area from pooching out from the body, thus limiting heat loss. If I could wear something similar to work on a cold day, without ridicule (pretty much impossible with my staff), I would consider it. The wrist and ankle seals further help retain warmth. But the kicker for my rapidly shriking ego was the panel and color design. I wore the red panel Velocity and actually got compliments from several female divers on my look not once, but throughout the week (no, not while under the effects of nitrogen narcosis). For once, I was warm and hot. I think I've just staved off the purchase of red corvette for another decade. In any case, this is a top suit that functions like a dream.