Rip Curl Dawn Patrol wetsuit: Janina Zeitler highlights its performance and durability

Who better than our team rider Janina Zeitler to tell us about the Dawn Patrol? We took the time to chat with the young surfer and gather her impressions. The Dawn Patrol is the model that offers the best value for money, without compromising on performance or warmth. Versatile, flexible, warm, and durable, the Dawn Patrol is the Swiss Army knife of Rip Curl wetsuits. Since the young surfer spends a lot of time in the water wearing her Dawn Patrol, it felt only natural for her to share her thoughts with us.

Hi Janina, how and where are you spending your winter this year?

Janina Zeitler – This winter, I’m splitting my time between Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, and home in Munich. It’s a contrast I’ve grown to love. In Fuerteventura, I’m chasing Atlantic swells, training in powerful ocean conditions, working on heat drills to prepare for the season and enjoying the rhythm of island life. Then I head back to Munich, where I surf at the wave pool at O2 SURFTOWN MUC and focus on technical details. For me, winter isn’t about slowing down, it's actually the complete opposite, I don't see it as an "off-season" but instead as a pre-season. This time for me is all about building fitness, refining technique, and finding consistency, whether that’s under palm trees or in the cold waves of Munich.

What are your goals for this season? Do you have any projects planned for this year?

Janina Zeitler – My main focus this season is definitely to qualify for the Challenger Series. I’ll be competing on the QS European Tour and aim to bring my free surfing into these contests, that's the priority. I’m really excited for the upcoming QS in Morocco and to hopefully score epic Anchor Point, it’s such a special place and hopefully we’ll get some classic conditions for the contest. Beyond competition, I've just launched my YouTube channel and want to open the doors to a bit more of my life on that platform and build a strong community, aiming to share more behind-the-scenes moments, the training, the travel, the ups and downs that people don’t usually see. Over the past years, I've travelled a lot and gathered incredible footage and will continue to do so in the coming years, lots of surfing, traveling, the Olympic Qualification Cycle. Let’s just say… we’re quietly collecting material for something bigger. Stay tuned!

In what kind of conditions and on which spots do you usually wear a Dawn Patrol?

Janina Zeitler – The Dawn Patrol is my go-to wetsuit for winter in the Canary Islands. Water temperatures range between 16–21°C, sometimes even dipping a little lower depending on wind and currents. I mostly wear a 4/3 in winter and a 3/2 in milder conditions. My sessions are typically around two hours, and I honestly never leave the water because I’m cold, only if I’m tired. That comfort and reliability are key for me.

Is there a detail you particularly like about the Dawn Patrol model?

Janina Zeitler – I love the designs. The color combinations really stand out, and since a wetsuit is basically my “outfit” for most of the day, I enjoy wearing something that feels like me. I also prefer the chest zip. It gives me a feeling of stability and keeps water entry minimal. The stitching and finishes are excellent, and I never experience irritation or rubbing, even during long paddling sessions. The overall quality just feels solid and really well thought out, it's incredible!

Compared to other wetsuits you've worn, what makes the Dawn Patrol stand out the most?

Janina Zeitler – Longevity, that is definitely a standout. I surf every single day, and I truly feel that the Dawn Patrol lasts the longest. It holds its shape, warmth, and structure over time. That durability is incredibly important when you’re in the water constantly. And again, the colors. I really like standing out in the lineup. Just like I care about what I wear on land, I care about what I use in the water. It makes me feel confident in myself and I find that really important.

How would you describe the sense of freedom of movement it gives you? 

Janina Zeitler – The E-Bomb line is known for being extremely stretchy, and yes, when putting it on, you might feel that difference slightly. But once I’m in the water, I honestly don’t feel restricted at all in the Dawn Patrol. It feels natural, flexible, and comfortable. I don’t notice any limitation in my turns or rotations, which is what really matters.

From a thermal perspective, do you find it warm? Do you ever feel cold?

Janina Zeitler – Fun fact: I often feel warmer in the Dawn Patrol than in lighter, stretchier suits like the E-Bomb. Because it has a slightly more structured feel, I personally find that it retains warmth extremely well. Even in windy conditions, which we get a lot in the Canaries, I always stay comfortable. I genuinely don’t feel cold until almost three hours in the water. And for winter training sessions, that’s everything.

Do you have a memorable session where it made a difference?

Janina Zeitler – Yes, and it’s a small but important detail. Here in the Canaries, we sometimes take a jet ski or boat ride to reach certain spots. You’re already wet, the wind hits you, and that’s when you really notice if your wetsuit works. Whenever I go there, I choose the Dawn Patrol. I’ve never felt cold on those boat rides, and that makes a huge difference before paddling out and even more after the session. This winter, my best sessions were exactly in those places and with the Dawn Patrol.

How does the Dawn Patrol help improve your overall performance?

Janina Zeitler – The biggest thing is that I don’t think about it, and that is such a gift. When you’re not worrying about being cold, about irritation, or about your suit limiting you, you’re fully focused on performance. For me, confidence in my gear equals confidence in the water. If I feel good, warm, and comfortable, and yes, even if I like how it looks, that translates directly into how I surf.

Who would you recommend the Dawn Patrol to? 

Janina Zeitler – Honestly, pretty much any surfer. But especially surfers who are in the water a lot and want something durable and reliable. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or professional, if you’re surfing frequently and don’t want to constantly think about your gear, the Dawn Patrol is a great match. It’s dependable, long-lasting, and performs in a wide range of conditions.

Beyond the product, how does Rip Curl's vision of surfing resonate with you? 

Janina Zeitler - Rip Curl’s philosophy of “The Search” resonates deeply with me, it feels like it is the core of my identity. For me, surfing has always been about searching, for waves, for new places, for myself... Growing up on the Eisbach in Munich, I always knew there was something beyond that river wave and my dreams have led me on a permanent Search. This search has taken me to oceans, to different cultures and competitions around the world. Even today, I feel like I’m permanently on that journey, always searching for better waves, better performance and new inspiration. Rip Curl’s vision isn’t just a slogan to me, it really reflects how I live my life, in and out of the water.