Wetsuit or No?
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catwood posted 43 weeks ago.
Its your choice. I generally wear one if its allowed even for a sprint. Just practice taking it off a couple of times in the shower. I'm not sure quite how much time saving the wetsuit will get you - I've heard figures from 1-3% to 5 sec/100m. For me, I doubt its really worth it for a sprint because 1% of 6-6.5 min for 1/4 mi is 4 sec and it probably takes me a few seconds longer than that to get it off. I justify it with the thought that its good practice getting it off quickly in a race situation for my higher priority olys.
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craigery posted 43 weeks ago.
I think that the amount of energy it saves you is worth it. That is just my opinion though.
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PJT posted 43 weeks ago.
I wear one every time it's legal. 3 reasons:
1. Energy savings like craigery mentioned.
2. Time savings. The weaker the swimmer you are, the more time you save. I know it takes me about 16 seconds to take off the wetsuit, maybe a few more seconds to stow it in my transition area. I save at least that much even in a 400 yard swim.
3. Even if I don't really need it for a sprint, I find it is good to practice using it in short races because I know I want to use it in longer races.
One other thought occurred to me at a sprint this weekend when I watched a number of people in earlier waves getting assisted by kayaks in the water--if you panic in a wetsuit, at least you know you will float if you roll onto your back. Just an extra bit of safety. (I'm generally quite comfortable swimming even in murky or rough water and have never had a panic attack, but I know people who are otherwise very level-headed who have experienced them, so you never know...)
736
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Red5 posted 43 weeks ago.
I didn't wear one at the Tempe International race this May when they were allowed and exited the water 2-3 min behind the leaders. I had a shot at going sub 2 hours had I worn the damn thing, so I have learned by lesson and will ALWAYS wear one when allowed.
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Bryan
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wesmeyer11 posted 43 weeks ago.
PJT;73405 wrote:
I know it takes me about 16 seconds to take off the wetsuit, maybe a few more seconds to stow it in my transition area. QUOTE]Unless you are being really cautious with the wetsuit, which I can respect given the cost of those things, IMHO there is no way it should be taking that long to get off your wetsuit in transition. The top should be removed during the run from the water to transition and then to get two legs off should take about ten seconds at most - toss it to the back of all your stuff and jam.
1287
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1207 days
brittda posted 43 weeks ago.
I know I am going to catch flack for this--I will only wear one in longer races(HIM or IM). For me personally 1. I am a strong swimmer and time saved is very minimal if anything (yes I have tried both ways) 2. I dont need the extra bouyancy :eek: 3. more comfortable esp for a sprint in just my shorts and top.
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PJT posted 43 weeks ago.
wesmeyer11;73411 wrote:
PJT;73405 wrote:I know it takes me about 16 seconds to take off the wetsuit, maybe a few more seconds to stow it in my transition area. QUOTE]Unless you are being really cautious with the wetsuit, which I can respect given the cost of those things, IMHO there is no way it should be taking that long to get off your wetsuit in transition. The top should be removed during the run from the water to transition and then to get two legs off should take about ten seconds at most - toss it to the back of all your stuff and jam.
Come to think of it, I have only timed myself on the beach after OW swims (i.e., not during a race). I do take the top down while running to T1, so that should cut a few seconds.
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Red5 posted 43 weeks ago.
brittda;73427 wrote:
I know I am going to catch flack for this--I will only wear one in longer races(HIM or IM). For me personally 1. I am a strong swimmer and time saved is very minimal if anything (yes I have tried both ways) 2. I dont need the extra bouyancy :eek: 3. more comfortable esp for a sprint in just my shorts and top.
No flack, everybody has their own personal prefernces and comfort levels.
...But :p
Of your 3 points, #3 I can understand, #1 and #2 I would suggest misrepresent, in general, the realities of the advantages of a wet suit, your personal experience not withstanding. Strong swimmers such as pro's ALWAYS wear one when allowed and everyone could use the bouyancy.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
2195
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2227 days
Tribro posted 43 weeks ago.
I would always wear in a Oly or greater. In a sprint I'd probably opt not too. Pros will always wear if legal, but haven't seen any pro sprint races to see if they still think there is a time/energy savings. would be interesting to see some numbers crunched on seconds saved and at what distance the bouyancy is nullified...
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636 days
mdd posted 43 weeks ago.
azstinger11;73289 wrote:
So I have a bit of a quandry. My race this weekend is wetsuit legal but when I swam the lake yesterday I was fine with out it. So do I try and gain time in the water with the suit or try and gain it in transition. I'm not particullary fast in the water or at getting my suit off. So do you think the speed and energy savings are worth it for a sprint tri or should I just try and make T1 as fast as i can.
That is an easy decision. As long as the time you save by wearing the suit is greater than the time lost taking the suit off then you wear it. There is also consideration to be given to energy savings by wearing the suit and of course water temp, etc. In my opinion benefit from the suit with the exception of the higher end swimmers in the short distance events.
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Jstyle posted 43 weeks ago.
PJT;73405 wrote:
I wear one every time it's legal. 3 reasons:1. Energy savings like craigery mentioned.
2. Time savings. The weaker the swimmer you are, the more time you save. I know it takes me about 16 seconds to take off the wetsuit, maybe a few more seconds to stow it in my transition area. I save at least that much even in a 400 yard swim.
3. Even if I don't really need it for a sprint, I find it is good to practice using it in short races because I know I want to use it in longer races.One other thought occurred to me at a sprint this weekend when I watched a number of people in earlier waves getting assisted by kayaks in the water--if you panic in a wetsuit, at least you know you will float if you roll onto your back. Just an extra bit of safety. (I'm generally quite comfortable swimming even in murky or rough water and have never had a panic attack, but I know people who are otherwise very level-headed who have experienced them, so you never know...)
Now that I have a wetsuit I wear it every time it's legal. It's insane even on a sprint how much time it saves me.
So I have a bit of a quandry. My race this weekend is wetsuit legal but when I swam the lake yesterday I was fine with out it. So do I try and gain time in the water with the suit or try and gain it in transition. I'm not particullary fast in the water or at getting my suit off. So do you think the speed and energy savings are worth it for a sprint tri or should I just try and make T1 as fast as i can.
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