How cold is too cold to go without a wetsuit?
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UFTriGator posted 11 weeks ago.
The ITU doesn't let pros wear a wetsuit at all unless the water is below 68.
You won't get hypothermia, but 70 still feels pretty cold. I would be wearing one if it was me. If you're planning on sticking with triathlon, you're going to end up buying one anyway.
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Not fast enough.
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TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
Nah, I think a wetsuit for a sprint is a waste of time, regardless of the temp. As "He Who Has Nice Toys" (UTFGator) wrote, you won't freeze. The bottom line is for a sprint you will lose more time in T1 taking off the suit than any possible speed gains by wearing it.
Ironman Germany (July 6, 2008)
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theShiba posted 11 weeks ago.
Then again, my theory is that you don't win races in transition.... I say, if you can wear it, and you can afford to buy it, do it. If you can't then rest assured that you will survive the swim. It's probably going to suck, but you'll live. You'll probably swim faster just to get it over with.
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Ultrarunner posted 11 weeks ago.
For 70 degrees I wouldn't worry about it especially in a sprint. Just be sure to spend some time in the water before the race so you don't have that initial shock when your face hits the water. I agree with UFTriGator, you'll end up buying one later but use it on the longer distances.
The race is just the finale to all of your training. Enjoy the celebration.
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kevinb421 posted 11 weeks ago.
It is all a matter of comfort based on where you live, Gator lives in Florida where 70 degrees is some cold water. I live in Iowa where 70 is very nice. However, if this is your first race or you are uncomfortable in the water a wetsuit provides some nice benefits.
Plus like all the others said, if you plan on sticking with the sport your going to want one eventually anyway.
"If your not going to win, make the fellow in front of you break a record."
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NotAsFast posted 11 weeks ago.
If you do buy a wetsuit plan ahead. I have lost over 60 pounds since starting doing triathlons and I dug out the wetsuit for a OWS this weekend and this is the image I got when I looked in the mirror.
Do wetsuits shrink when you put them in the dryer on hot.......
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JDB posted 11 weeks ago.
For a sprint tri with 70 degree water, I say go without it. You swim much faster in a sprint than longer distance races, and it takes so long to take the damned thing off no mater how much you lube yourself up. Plus it sounds like you have been practicing already without one. A wetsuit certainly helps with your body positioning, and of course keeping your core warm, so you should probably invest in a good fitting one eventually but no need to rush out an get one now
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PJT posted 11 weeks ago.
I disagree that a wetsuit is a waste of time in a sprint. For an excellent swimmer who gets little time gain from a wetsuit, maybe. But those of us further back in the field can get a distinct advantage with just a little practice removing them.
In my own completely nonscientific way, I've done pool and OW swims in practice with and without my wetsuit trying to maintain a similar effort level. I find that I get roughly 10% time savings with the wetsuit. I also timed myself removing one, and it took 16 seconds standing still (which isn't how I remove them in a race, I'm moving forward for at least half of that). So for me, in any swim that I think will take longer than 160 seconds without a wetsuit it is an advantage to use the wetsuit. Since the shortest sprint I do has about a 400m swim, and it takes me, um, much longer than 160 seconds to do 400 meters, a wetsuit is an advantage for me in every race.
2nd point: Sprints aren't my distance of focus. Because I use them to train for longer stuff, I consider that another reason to race with a wetsuit whenever legal.
Edit: Before anyone notes the irony in my new avatar, I should advise that the photo was taken in a race with 82-degree water.
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stewarba posted 11 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
my theory is that you don't win races in transition.
But in a sprint, I bet you can lose one.
;-)
Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines – Brian Tracy
2008 Sprint Tri A race goals
S: 500m in 10:00 – FS Stroke only
B: 22mph avg over course
R: 5K <= 25:00
Place top 50% for my age group
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diva_mom posted 11 weeks ago.
I'd skip it for this race, unless you have time to play with it and get a feel for getting it on and off.
Not as fast,
Congrats on the -60 lbs.
Success comes before work only in the dictionary
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rebekahliz posted 11 weeks ago.
stewarba wrote:
theShiba wrote:my theory is that you don't win races in transition.But in a sprint, I bet you can lose one.
;-)
Agreed.
Di mana ada kemauan, di situ ada jalan (Where there is desire, there is a road). – Indonesian proverb
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Jay posted 11 weeks ago.
i'm in the same boat, i have my first sprint in 6 weeks and the swim is ina lake and they say it will be between 60-67. i don't have a wet suit now, and not sure if i will buy one this year. will a shorty suit keep me warm enough?
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kylie posted 11 weeks ago.
Jay wrote:
i'm in the same boat, i have my first sprint in 6 weeks and the swim is ina lake and they say it will be between 60-67. i don't have a wet suit now, and not sure if i will buy one this year. will a shorty suit keep me warm enough?
I'm guessing you have a wetsuit around from surfing, or some other coldish water sport? The problem with them is that they restrict arm movement -- tri suits are specially designed for swimming since shoulder range of motion is so important. Also, the other benefit of a tri suit is the buoyancy in the legs, which you miss with a short suit.
If you can, try the swim in a lake without one, or consider renting or seeing if any local tri people have one you could use.
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springfield81 posted 11 weeks ago.
as for the wetsuit, i would also check with race officials. i've got my first tri coming up in july (here in montana) and they're projecting that the water will be freezing (a glacier fed lake) and in fact anyone who shows up without a wetsuit will not be allowed to race.
i'm sure it differs by regions, but checking into race regulations may also just make up your mind for you!
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catwood posted 10 weeks ago.
You sure can win races in transition - see my iron abe rr - I'd be $300 poorer if my transitions were equal to those of those whom I beat. Fast transitions are key.
I always wear a wetsuit if they are legal - for an early season sprint, its mostly as a tuneup for my higher priority olys. Just practice getting it off fast. No problem with 70 degrees without one though. Its not THAT cold.
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iamtb13 posted 10 weeks ago.
Personally, I wear a wetsuit anytime they let me. It helps so much with body position that I think it's well worth the little extra time to get out of it at T1 (after practicing many times). In terms of temperature, you will be fine at 70 degrees. My two cents.
I'm racing a sprint tri next weekend and the water temperature is projected to be about 70. I was initially not planning to use a wetsuit since I would have to buy one, but now some of by friends that swam in college are saying I'd be crazy not to use one. Any thoughts?