Belews Lake - Wetsuit: Yes or No?

I did Belew's Lake last year and wore a wetsuit but if I remember correctly A LOT of people did not wear one.  It's been chilly this year so I am not sure what the water temperature will be.  I think you can call the marina and find out though and that should help you decide what to wear plus Set Up Events usually posts the water temp on their website closer to the race date!

Hope this helps! 

Last year (which was the first year of the race) it was easily wetsuit legal.  And while I wouldn't say a lot of people did it without wetsuits, certainly a good number of them did.  For me it was way to chilly to swim without a wetsuit comfortably, but I suppose it's too short for hypothermia to set in.  "Like a frightened turtle" (to quote Seinfeld) doesn't begin to describe the reaction to 10 or 15 minutes in that water.

Get by?  Yes.  Enjoy it?  Probably not. 

Cool!

Thanks for the info!

I've only been able to try on a full sleeve wetsuit ... but think I would prefer a sleeveless ... but worry if those would keep me warm enough ... but I want the extra freedom of movement in the arms ... and someone told me they felt like they always overheat in a full suit.

Then I got to thinking maybe I'll just get a speedsuit or nothing at all ... but I checked out the De Soto Bibjohns ... and they come with a pullover top ... so this may be just what I need ... if it's really cold can use the top. ... if not just use the Bibjohn ...plus they are onl $139 vs. $300 for the full Zoot suit.

Off'n'Running in Greensboro rents wetsuits so you can try on all you like and rent one to see if you like it.  Also, Set Up Events is doing a wetsuit demo (or clinic or something) on 4/11 at Belews.

That's an estimate of the temperature based on weather conditions and such.  It doesn't take into account the fact that Duke Power is dumping in loads of hot water from the steam station up the lake a piece and I think that will warm things up a touch.