General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do I need a wetsuit? Rss Feed  
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2014-07-21 3:11 PM


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Subject: Do I need a wetsuit?
I'm doing my first triathlon in early Sept. It's a sprint triathlon. It's an open water swim and the water is supposed to be around 65 degrees F.

I'd prefer not to buy a wetsuit because it's my first triathlon and I'd like to see if I'll stick with the sport before spending a lot of $$. However, I'm not sure if I'm nuts for not doing so -- I'm pretty sure 65 degrees is quite cold, but I'm not sure *how* cold. FWIW, I'm a decently strong swimmer and not super concerned with time, so I'm not interested in the wetsuit for the benefit of efficiency.

I tried renting from xterra, but they don't have my size in stock.


2014-07-21 6:32 PM
in reply to: #5028622


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Subject: RE: Do I need a wetsuit?
I just did a HIM in 62 degree water, wish I had a long sleeve suit, instead of sleeveless, But I'm a wuss about cold. Post in your local section of the forum and see if someone will let you borrow one.
2014-07-21 10:21 PM
in reply to: mgtye

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Subject: RE: Do I need a wetsuit?
65F is 18.3 C... only 1.7 degrees C below the elite wetsuit cutoff. Its chilly if you are new to open water. I raced 3k in 19 without a wetsuit and was perfectly fine and some other guy was acting like he was hypothermic after racing in a full suit. After 15 minutes he was fine. It comes down to experience and tolerance. If you are not used to the feeling of cold water on your face you are more likely to have a problem.

Having raced in 10C (50F) in a wetsuit after swimming non wetsuit in 18 C water I will take the non wetsuit 18 every day of the week. Can you practice under similar conditions? What is your budget to rent. Maybe you can purchase a used sleeveless suit...
http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/store/index.php/products/wetsuit-clea...
2014-07-22 2:29 AM
in reply to: simpsonbo

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Subject: RE: Do I need a wetsuit?
Depends on the person, but I'd say you don't need a wetsuit for a 65 degree sprint. It will be chilly for sure, but not dangerous as long as you are reasonably accustomed to swimming in colder water. I train mostly in about 68 degree water, and after 5 minutes you don't notice the cold. Just make sure you get in the water a bit before the race so it's not a huge shock to the system. If it's unseasonably cold the week before I'd start looking for a loaner, though.
2014-08-03 8:45 PM
in reply to: mgtye

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Subject: RE: Do I need a wetsuit?
How's your tolerance for cold? 65 is not that cold - it will seem cold at first but you'll get used to it and if you're working you'll keep plenty warm. That's just my experience/opinion, as mentioned what one person considers "refreshing" someone else might consider "OMG I'm getting hypothermia!"

Assuming you have done some open water swimming as part of your training (or are planning to), make note of the temperature and how you felt about it (after finishing your swim, not before). That should give you some sense of what you can take.
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