Couple weeks back the DogMan Feature Column was about staying warm while surfing in cold weather and cold water. I mentioned Heatwave Custom Wetsuits here on the West Side in Santa Cruz. This week the Feature Column is an interview with Dion, the owner of Heatwave. The bottom line remains the same: get your butt wrapped in rubber from Heatwave! I guarantee you won't regret it.

I discovered Dion's work many years back when my crappy off-the-rack suit kept popping seams. I won't mention the brand, but if you take the apostrophe out of the name, it spells One Ill. I took the suit to Heatwave for repairs. The seams that Dion repaired were so much better than the original seams, that I went straight to Heatwave for my next suit. I've surfed in several custom suits from Heatwave over the years, and I'll never go back to off-the-rack. So here's the interview:

DM: First of all, tell me about your name; the pronunciation, and the origin.

Dion: My name rhymes with "Lion," and is not short for anything. That's it; my full name is Dion. It's an Irish name that I inherited from my great grandfather.

DM: How did you get into the wetsuit business? How long have you owned Heatwave?

Dion: The shop has been open for 11 and 1/2 years. My wife started the business while I was still in school. After school, we started a family, and I took over running the place while my wife stays home with the kids.

DM: Speaking of family, how many kids do you have? Do they like to surf?

Dion: We have 2 kids, four and six years old. They like to go out at Cowells, riding on the nose of Dad's long board. The best way to get a wave to yourself at Cowells is to surf with a kid.

DM: You mentioned school. Where did you study?

Dion: Right here in Santa Cruz at the University of California. I studied Earth Sciences, which is a strong department at the campus.

(Note from DM: That makes two 100% slugs! Dion and DM share UCSC as alma mater.)

DM: Back to surfing, what is your earliest memory of the sport?

Dion: I remember when I was ten years old riding my first wave in Capitola near the jetty. I had a Dick Brewer gun that was way oversized for me at the time.

DM: That goes way back. Are you a local boy?

Dion: I've been in the Santa Cruz area all my life. We lived for awhile in Capitola, and I've also lived in Scotts Valley. For many years now I've been a West Side Santa Cruz guy.

DM: What kind of surfing do you do these dayz? What board do you ride?

Dion: I usually ride a kneeboard. I like to body board at Its and Finger Bowl, and I take my long board out at Cowells. When the waves are big I get out everyday, but if it's small I might only get out once a week.

DM: I always like to get the flaming email going by asking about favorite breaks. What's yours?

Dion: I like to surf Gazebos and Hammers here in town. I don't get as many sessions North of town as I used to.

DM: What's your favorite part of surfing?

Dion: I like the adrenaline rush from riding big waves. In small waves I like to get out to play in the ocean with my kids. Mostly I just like being around the ocean and the beach.

DM: How about some wordz on Heatwave. What's your favorite part of this job?

Dion: I am proud to make wetsuits that holdup to hard use. I like making people stoked about wearing a top quality wetsuit. I enjoy seeing them in the water staying warm and comfortable in a Heatwave.

DM: Soundz good, that pretty much describes why I like 'em too. OK, what's your least favorite part of the business

Dion: That's easy; the accounting, bookkeeping and taxes.

DM: Have you ever shaped boards?

Dion: Never have shaped. I was always afraid to shape something I thought was good, then get stuck with it. Many people think the board they shaped is better than it really is.

DM: Heatwave stocks a lot of surf merchandise. what's the biggest part of the business?

Dion: Wetsuits are the biggest mover. I stock some Aleeda off-the-rack suits, and a few of my own off-the-racks, but custom wetsuits are the main business at Heatwave. It's what pays the bills. I do stock a lot of body boards compared to other shops.

DM: Tell me about the awesome ocean mural you have hanging in the shop.

Dion: It's an original by a surfer named Eugene Dovydaitus. He's the only team rider for Heatwave.

DM: Is there anything you want to add to this interview?

Dion: Sure. Wetsuit care is important, and there are only a few simple rules. Always rinse your suit out with fresh water after use, and keep it out of the sun. Your suit will last a lot longer if you do this.

DM: Last thing Dion. I hope to surf for many years to come in the Santa Cruz area. I'm gonna need quality wetsuits and repairs. How long do you plan to be in business here at Heatwave?

Dion: (chuckles) Don't worry I plan to live in Santa Cruz and operate Heatwave for many years to come!

So that's it. Do yourself a favor and check out Heatwave, for repairs and new custom suits. I appreciate Dion doing such a good job for local surfers like myself, and I thank him for doing this interview with the DogMan.

CU Out There,

DogMan