Well, here's my twopence...
Get a membrane suit, not a neoprene,and make sure you get one with latex seals, not neoprene, much more likely to keep you dry. Augment that with a good wicking base layer and thinsulate (type B).
Start with a nice shallow bimble and get used to the suit. You'll probably be told to use your dry suit only for buoyancy control. Personally I use my wing but whatever you do don't think that the suit is the only way.
Oh, and don't forget to plug your inflation hose on it!
HTH
Rob
PS See can't even get agreement on a simple thread like this
PPS Try and not use ankle weights if possible. I learnt without them and have never needed to use them.
PPPS Sorry for the blatent plagerism
