Why Wetsuit
2334
Member
2427 days
Tribro posted 4 years ago.
I would say definitely yes, for olympic and above. Otherwise, most likely, the pros wouldn't wear them, especially in warmer water conditions like Hawaii. If it's a sprint race then I would say you're better off without a wetsuit if the water conditions are permitting.
325
Member
1694 days
jeslol posted 4 years ago.
I didn't believe it at first either. I find even my olympic swims to be minutes faster with a wetsuit. I don't wear a wetsuit for sprints though. Time saved in the swim vs. time to take off wetsuit seem to cancel out.
49
Member
1652 days
KPrice posted 4 years ago.
Really? MINUTES faster? I could use that, but I'm not starting Olympic races till next summer. All I'm doing is swimming my fool butt off with the Master's swim team, (including meets which mean I have to dive off those spooky little blocks) and hoping that'll speed me up...
137
Member
1541 days
TriTimKC posted 4 years ago.
I did my first half ironman Saturday and while the water was warm enough not to really need one (72F) I wore a fulll wetsuit anyway as did 99% of the other racers. It was the first time I had swam in it and it really helped. The added buoyancy saved a lot of effort. I'm sure I would have been slower without it. It also wasn't that difficult in transition. By the time I got to my rack I had it off to my waist anyway. I probably wouldn't wear it for Sprint tri's unless the water temp called for it.
"Swim smart, ride strong, run tough" - Gordo Byrn
325
Member
1694 days
jeslol posted 4 years ago.
Really...MINTUTES faster otherwise it wouldn't be worth the time it takes to get the goofy thing off!
12
Member
1519 days
swimbikeruntri3 posted 4 years ago.
PAM!! seriously, the cooking spray...original flavored...it's the easiest way to get off your wetsuit...that thing will just about fly off in transition! but the down side, there is something in the PAM that's supposedly bad for your wet suit...as long as you wash it off after you are done, you can still get over 4-5yrs out of your wet suit. just remember to give it a through washing after the race!!
i also hear that "body glide" works...and it is not 'bad' for your suit.
put the PAM on before you put on the wetsuit...on your calves...that's the trickiest part to get off.
practice getting out of your wetsit other than race day...figure out what is the fastest way for YOU to get out of it. most of the time...if you ask the lifeguards will let you wear them in your pool...it's up to them. just be sure to rinse it out when you are done...chlorine is not good for the rubber...so i have been told.
i have the westuit 1/2 off by the time i get to my bike...all i have to do is step out of it...pull one leg out then step on the wetsuit with the free foot, and lift your other leg and it will slide right off. it works for me.
yes...i am also a LOT faster, minutes i believe too, in it. i don't have to kick either, so i am much more efficient. i wear it for sprint tri's...only for a 1/2mi swim...1/4 mi it's not worth putting on the wetsuit...it takes longer to get in and out of it than it would for me to do the swim.
i use PAM and i have had my wetsuit going on 2 years...and it's fine. no weak spots or anything.
by the way...i have an orca speed suit...and i think it's a great wetsuit!
Wetsuits are for wussies - at least that’s the mantra at the Dolphin Club in San Francisco. Does the added buoyancy and reduced drag REALLY make up / surpass the time cost of changing out in the transition vs. just swimming in a tri suit? Especially if the swim is short (e.g. < 1 mile).