How much help should a wetsuit provide???
367
Member
780 days
mdd posted 2 years ago.
A wetsuit will certainly help a poor swimmer more than a strong swimmer (in my opinion) because a strong swimmer already has good body position in the water, etc. However, I would think once you start getting into the 1+ mile distances that a wetsuit would help even a strong swimmer go faster, conserve energy, stay warmer, and move through the water better to such a degree as to offset any minor T1 time setbacks. And with pracitice it takes VERY little time to remove a wetsuit.
2816
Member
1313 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
That's the key...practice getting the suit off. Although this sounds obvious, make sure it's wet when you practice. I talk to folks all the time who try it dry and it's much harder.
Body glide on the neck, wrist and ankles helps too. Some people use PAM cooking spray, but I prefer not to smell like last nights dinner.
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4637
Member
1671 days
beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
:D I agree.
For the longer distances, unless you are in 75 degree+ water.
It will help with buoyancy which will help you conserve enery.
It will keep you warmer, and the surface will help you glide thru the water.
Definitely practice getting it on and off.
use a non-oil based lube like bodyglide.
Pam and other oil based lubed will break down the neoprene and the glue used to create the smooth seams.
I have had my wetsuits for 4 years and they are holding up very well. I wash them after each event.
Nothing to it, but to do it
354
Member
1210 days
triNick posted 2 years ago.
I swam in high school and college, so you can see why my best event is swimming. I wear a sleveless wetsuit pretty much all them time when allowed, even for the short sprint distance events. I use it for buoyancy and to conserve enery by not kicking as much. Are you kicking a lot to break 30 minutes for 1.2 miles? If so, for sure use one.
Yes, for sure practice. It's only took me a few times before I got the hang of getting it off. There are several methods, you just have to find the one that you can handle. I run out, pull down while running and then step out of it on the fly.
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I've got three sprint tris under my belt now in the last 3 months, and my swim is my strongest event. Without a wetsuit I am in the mid-six minute range for 1/4 mile. I have been training for and have signed up for the Deer Creek Half Ironman in Columbus at the end of September. In my training in a pool swim I can break 30 minutes for 1.2 miles. My question is, as a relatively strong swimmer how much help would a wetsuit give me on the 1.2 mile open water swim? Does a wetsuit help with boyancy as much on a strong simmer or will a slower swimmer notice more of a difference? I have not been considering a wetsuit in sprints becuase I can finish fast enough without one and eliminate the step of taking it off in the transition, but with a long swim I am thinking the wetsuit advantage should outweigh the extra T1 time.
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