General Discussion Triathlon Talk » A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto. Rss Feed  
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2006-04-25 9:07 PM

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
It is the start of the season. Just before your first race you pull out your wetsuit. You have not worn it in months. You put it on and it just plain feels tighter than you remember it feeling.

Did it shrink?
Is the rubber less flexible?
Do you need a new wetsuit?

NO, NO, and NO

…well, more like

sort of, sort of, and yes unless you already own a T1 (just kidding).

The Tip: Soak your wetsuit a few days before the race. Soak it in a tub with 3 inches of water for about 5 minutes a few days before your race.


The Reason: Wetsuits are kind of like sponges. When they are moist they are supple and flexible. Believe it or not, your wetsuits stay moist for days, even weeks between uses, though appear dry… just like a sponge. Over time, as it gets really dry, it gets stiff and not-so-supple, thus feeling like it shrunk…like the way a sponge shrinks up. More wetsuits rip at the start of the season, than any other time of the year. Good if you are me, bad if you are you. But your wetsuit will last longer if you wet it before you wear it!


2006-04-25 10:08 PM
in reply to: #406612

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Member
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Clearwater, Florida. The Hurricane State
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

Thanks for the awsome idea. 

 We are already OUT of the wetsuit season in Florida. Really makes you think about all of the people all over the world and the different enviroments we get to hear about.  Cool.

2006-04-25 10:18 PM
in reply to: #406612

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Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

My wife and I are sitting here dying laughing at this post. 

I had my first race of the year last weekend.  I put on my one year old wetsuit (for the first time in 12 months) just before the race.  It felt too tight and I just couldn't breathe.  I went on to have the worst swim in my 3 year tri career.  I just couldn't understand what was wrong--had I gained a little weight, was it just the cold water, or that wave that wiped me out, did I not put it on correctly?  Well, we stayed at the beach all weekend and I was really bothered by my poor swim, so I donned my wetsuit again Sunday and had a swim in the Gulf.........no problem whatsoever.  I had a great swim.

 Thanks to your post, it all makes sense.

2006-04-26 7:02 AM
in reply to: #406612

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Master
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Great Tip.  Glad to see you are posting on BT
2006-04-26 7:16 AM
in reply to: #406777

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Extreme Veteran
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Tokyo, Japan
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
I agree, great tip and it is fantastic to have someone with as much knowledge as yourself sharing it with us on our site.  Actually you might never leave...we are much nicer than those guys over on Slowtwitch.
2006-04-26 12:00 PM
in reply to: #406612

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Emilio,

Love your product and approach to business. Your clothing is the only clothing I will wear to race in because of your kick a$$ customer service.

Thanks for the tip.

Mike


2006-04-26 12:05 PM
in reply to: #407090

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Expert
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
I've noticed that with neoprene waders in a former life before I was too busy training to fish. It didn't occur to me that I'd have the same problem with my wetsuit. Thanks!
2006-04-26 12:08 PM
in reply to: #407090

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Thanks for your kind words and for your time to write them. More tips to follow!
2006-04-26 12:12 PM
in reply to: #406785

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Master
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

Traveski - 2006-04-26 4:16 AM I agree, great tip and it is fantastic to have someone with as much knowledge as yourself sharing it with us on our site.  Actually you might never leave...we are much nicer than those guys over on Slowtwitch.

True - but your seat really is too low.

2006-04-26 1:48 PM
in reply to: #407108

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Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

"True - but your seat really is too low."

LMAO!!!

2006-04-26 6:45 PM
in reply to: #406612

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Pro
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St Charles, IL
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

Huh.  Never would have thought of that.

 Last year, I ripped my wetsuit putting it on for the first time that year at St. Anthony's.  I will make sure to soak it good as soon as I arrive. 

( That is hoping that the race is wetsuit legal... )

Very good tip!

-Chris 



2006-04-27 9:34 AM
in reply to: #407626

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Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
coredump - 2006-04-26 6:45 PM

Huh.  Never would have thought of that.

 Last year, I ripped my wetsuit putting it on for the first time that year at St. Anthony's.  I will make sure to soak it good as soon as I arrive. 

( That is hoping that the race is wetsuit legal... )

Very good tip!

Yes, for someone like me who scuba -dived, I would have  forgotten to try that.  But then again,  I always soaked my wetsuti for houirs after every dive, and never had problems putting it on the next day!.   

Great tip, and its nice to see you posting on this sight.  Love your tri-shorts!!

Bmac 

2006-04-27 9:39 AM
in reply to: #408017

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Thanks for loving our Tri Shorts!

If you soak the suit the night before, and it is still wet the morning of the race, you may need plastic bags to slip the WET wetsuit on.
2006-04-27 9:43 AM
in reply to: #406612

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Elite
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

The Tip: Soak your wetsuit a few days before the race. Soak it in a tub with 3 inches of water for about 5 minutes a few days before your race.

Would this also apply to a new wetsuit?  (My T1 just got here yesterday!)

Cindy 

2006-04-27 10:01 AM
in reply to: #408027

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
This does not apply to a brand new T1. I cannot speak for other brands of wetsuits, the rubber they use, or what they might or might not do to preserve their suits.

Be sure to swim in that T1 before the race though! Just to make sure you are comfy.

Remember Emilio's First Law of Triathlon:

DON'T RACE IN IT, UNTIL YOU HAVE TRAINED WITH IT

This applies to everything, not just wetsuits and clothing.
2006-04-27 10:19 AM
in reply to: #406612

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

Emilio:

Great tip and thanks for posting it here. I'll start soaking my wetsuit when I arrive in St. Pete's tomorrow ... wish you were racing with us!

PS: Great idea on the whole separate piece concept of the T1.  Going to try out your tri-shorts soon too.



2006-04-27 10:32 AM
in reply to: #408070

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Thanks, yeah that is the big Season Opener on the East Coast. Here on the West Coast it used to be Wildflower, but now there are so many races like IM Oceanside and IMAZ that can really be considered as the opener.

Have a great race!

I will be racing in Los Angeles this weekend.
2006-04-27 10:33 AM
in reply to: #408070

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Elite
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San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

Hey Emilio,

Thanks for posting here.

If you get a chance will you post your IMCDA race report from a few years ago. When you had to walk the run course. That was a very inspiring report, and as I train for CDA this year I always think about what you had to go through out there. I know I enjoyed the report and I'm sure others here will too

Take care

Tom

2006-04-27 10:41 AM
in reply to: #406612

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Elite
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Hurst, Texas
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.

I second that request.  I am training for IMCDA, which is my first Ironman.  As I experience the peaks and valleys of IM training, I often focus on the valleys too much and wonder if I can really do this.  Seeing others' race reports really helps to motivate me, especially reading about those who had the fortitude to overcome tough race day conditions/occurrences.

 

2006-04-27 10:59 AM
in reply to: #408086

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Sunny San Diego
Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
I will have to dig that one up....give me a few days to try to find it. I think your story so far is a very inspirational one. Have you told it in this forum? I think you should before IMCDA so people can follow your progress in the race. You have me as a fan already.
2006-04-27 11:01 AM
in reply to: #406612

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2012-05-06 8:25 AM
in reply to: #406612


16

Subject: RE: A Wetsuit Tip from Emilio De Soto.
Good morning and thanks for this great tip!  My question:  Once you soak your wetsuit, do you hang it up again inside out to dry?  
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