talk to me about wetsuits

[boyse7en]

My two kids (9 & 7) have started surfing lesson with their primary school. Dead keen, want to get boards, do loads more etc.

So last weekend I borrowed a friend's kids' board and went into the water with them. They are togged up in wetsuits but I've only got swimshorts. Spent an hour splashing around in waist-deep water and despite it being sunny and warm, I eventually got too cold to stay and had to drag them out of the water.

So, easy, I need to get a wetsuit.
I know nothing about them, so started doing a bit of research and it found "Surf" wetsuits and "triathlon" wetsuits.
As I swim (pool) regularly I'm thinking of getting a tri suit so that I could do a bit of sea swimming when the fancy takes me, but would they be no good for surfing (albeit at a very beginner level)?

Any features or brands to look for? things to avoid would help too.