Wetsuits. every surfer in Santa Cruz needs at least one neoprene suit to survive winter’s icy water temperatures. having a good wetsuit equals more hours in the water and less time spent thawing out in a hot shower. Unfortunately, a new wetsuit can cost upwards of $400, about as much as a new surfboard.

In a cozy surf shop tucked like an afterthought onto the corner of Portola and 32nd Ave., wetsuit seamstress Diane Berkhemer is bringing the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy to the local surf community.

While the average surfer may daydream about a brand new, top-of-the-line wetsuit, he or she probably has a growing pile of old, ripped, busted, or sun-damaged wetsuits buried somewhere in the garage.

The decaying wetsuit pile is a great example of a wasteful byproduct of surfers’ zealous pursuit of riding waves.

At Blown out Wetsuit Repair, the customers’ reasons for stopping by the shop are all over the board.

“If you can describe surfers as a common type, I have quite a variety of customers,” Berkhemer said. “Anyone from guys that are trying to save their wetsuit because they’re having a hard time getting their next meal, to doctors and lawyers who are getting a suit repaired because they’re not going to throw them out for a fin rip.”

Berkhemer’s most common repair work is fixing rips in the wetsuit material caused by surfboard fins and replacing busted zippers.

“If you get caught on the inside and rolled with a fin, it can cut several places in your suit,” she explained. “A lot of guys, if their suit doesn’t zip, they think if they pull really hard it’s probably going to zip. usually, it breaks.”

Besides offering a wetsuit repair service, Berkhemer stocks the shop with consignment new and used wetsuits and surfboards. for the lucky customer, stopping by the shop could mean scoring a brand new suit with tags still attached — for half off its retail price.

The shop is also a great resource for families in need of kids’ wetsuits.

“I have a lot of kids wetsuits because they grow out of them,” Berkhemer said. “With any of the consignments, I either give full store credit or a percentage off, but I don’t buy anything outright.”

Sometimes, wetsuits and even surfboards are donated to the shop. Berkhemer has a unique philosophy about the donated items.

“Everything that’s donated in here is given away,” Berkhemer said. “I wait until there’s a very specific need. I’ve had some really special situations where boards or wetsuits were brought in and they went to some really special kids, especially some of the kids on the grade school and junior high surf teams.”

Because of this policy, Berkhemer has enabled young surfers to continue surfing despite economic hardships.

Berkhemer first found her talent for wetsuit repair while working for custom wetsuit maker Christine Thomas. When Thomas moved to Oregon, Berkhemer began doing repairs. In 2000, she opened Blown out Wetsuit Repair.

“I figured it was God’s gift to me,” Berkhemer said. “I grew up sewing. Wetsuit repair is different; you’re gluing and stitching the material and you have a different kind of sewing machine.”

Berkhemer’s talents with neoprene extend beyond the local surf scene. she also repairs suits for Blueseventy, a specialized triathalon wetsuit company.

“They send me their triathalon suits from all over the states,” she said.

The cozy shop also features an eclectic mix of local surf art, jewelry and collectors items such as old surf LPs. It’s also well stocked with practical surf supplies.

“I try to have all the basics,” Berkhemer explained. “Leashes, plugs, fins; all the things that you need if you’re going surfing.”

A former surfer herself, Berkhemer grew up in San Diego and arrived in Santa Cruz via Oregon. a true Santa Cruz local, she lives down the street with her husband and enjoys walking to work.

“I try to keep the repair costs low,” Berkhemer said. “A basic repair is $20. Some of the newer suits, the material is so stretchy and tears easily, so the cost can be more. I just try to run an honest, low-key surf shop.”

Gretchen Wegrich’s Stoked and Broke surf column appears every other week. Contact her at .

If you Go

Blown out Wetsuit RepairHOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-SundayWHERE: 3055 Portola Drive, Santa CruzCONTACT: 475-4942

Gretchen Wegrich, Stoked & Broke: Blown Out Wetsuit Repair gives suits a second chance