General Discussion Triathlon Talk » First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed Rss Feed  
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2015-05-28 9:22 AM

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St Catharines, Ontario
Subject: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

So tomorrow I pick up my rental suit for my sprint in 9 days. Saturday I will have a chance for a chilly dip in Lake Ontario to practice with it.

The suit is a nineteen pipeline and it s the first time I will have swam in a wetsuit since surfing as a teenager (20 years ago).

I feel fairly comfortable with the plan to get the thing on. My first concern is the issue of my timing chip. I like to wear it low on my ankle, at the slimmest part so that it does not get loose. However down there it will be below the leg line of the suit and I dont want any snagging issues. Any tips on this? I plan to practice this weekend with finding the zip and working out how to get it down off my shoulders as I run up to T1. But this will be pointless if I cant get the leg off over my chip with cold hands.

Second. In my surfing days we would lube around the back of the armpits, sid eof neck and the tops of shoulders to stop any chafing from when we paddled. Probably vaseline then but now I use bodyglide. I am guessing that the tri-specific suit I will have will have much better flexibility. Should I still be looking to body glide around the neck? armpits? anywhere else? to help get used to it? Any other typical hotspots?

My other issue is that I used a previous swim cap from an event last year at the pool the other day. Any hints for stopping the stupid thing from rolling up off my head?? I wear it over my goggles as I dont want to loose my goggles at any point. But due to my massive cranium the cap twice got loose after 6-8 laps and was more bother than benefit. One size fits all does not fit all.



2015-05-28 9:59 AM
in reply to: badmo77a

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Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

I always body glide the back of my neck and under my armpits as those are the areas that tend to chafe for me.

For the timing chip on the ankle, you just figure it out.  Some chips/straps are thicker than others and cause more grief, some don't.

I've got nothing on the cap - I hate those things.

2015-05-28 10:08 AM
in reply to: axteraa

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553
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St Catharines, Ontario
Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

Originally posted by axteraa

I always body glide the back of my neck and under my armpits as those are the areas that tend to chafe for me.

For the timing chip on the ankle, you just figure it out.  Some chips/straps are thicker than others and cause more grief, some don't.

I've got nothing on the cap - I hate those things.

Honestly don't know what I can do about the cap. Whats the worst that can happen?

Come out of the swim....

Official: "where is your cap?"

Me: "It came off and I couldnt go back for it."

Must happen a lot, right?

2015-05-28 10:46 AM
in reply to: badmo77a

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Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

Technically it's abandoning equipment but it seems like the kind of thing that wouldn't get enforced.  Now if you took it off and dropped it on the ground on the way to T1, that's another story.

2015-05-28 10:58 AM
in reply to: badmo77a

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Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

I've had caps come off in at least two races and haven't been dinged for it.  Maybe they just eye up your cranium size and decide on penalty.   Half of the races I do the caps are so cheap they rip anyway.  One of the races where I lost it was due to tearing and coming off mid swim.  If you're really worried about it try a few swims with goggles over it.  I don't believe I've ever had a problem that way.  Also the more you can stretch it out and get it down over your ears helps.

2015-05-29 7:29 AM
in reply to: Goggles Pizzano

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Master
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Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed
if the race cap comes off I would just tell the officials as you exit the water. I've actually once lost my timing chip during the swim (I have small ankles, the strap was too big, and I think it came off as someone swam over me or slapped my ankles. Bought my own adjustable strap after that. One size doesn't fit all for either end of the size range!) Again, if that ever happens, report the problem as soon as possible so they know you're legit (or, if your chip came off, they can make sure you're manually timed.) Remember, your race number is marked on your body and you also have a race number waiting for you in transition, so it's not like you're an unknown quantity.


2015-05-29 9:03 PM
in reply to: 0

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Master
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Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed

I put tri glide on my neck to avoid chafing, and around wrists and ankles to help get my suit on and off.  Get the arms and legs up higher than you think you will need.

ETA: Lake Ontario in May: Brrrrrrrrrrrrr. 



Edited by IronOx 2015-05-29 9:04 PM
2015-06-15 12:20 PM
in reply to: badmo77a


1

Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed
U can find all this swimming stuff here http://www.proswimwear.co.uk/. My friend often orders on that site and I have never heard that he complains on something. Good luck)
2015-06-15 8:54 PM
in reply to: badmo77a

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Subject: RE: First Wetsuit Rental + Swim Cap - Advice Needed
Originally posted by badmo77a

Originally posted by axteraa

I always body glide the back of my neck and under my armpits as those are the areas that tend to chafe for me.

For the timing chip on the ankle, you just figure it out.  Some chips/straps are thicker than others and cause more grief, some don't.

I've got nothing on the cap - I hate those things.

Honestly don't know what I can do about the cap. Whats the worst that can happen?

Come out of the swim....

Official: "where is your cap?"

Me: "It came off and I couldnt go back for it."

Must happen a lot, right?




I read a blog post the other day where someone got a time penalty for losing their cap on the swim. I think if it does start to come off you may want to consider shoving it down your wetsuit.

If your cap is rolling up your head you may want to try different brands/materials. Then when you find one that works for your head buy it in a bunch of colors and wear that instead of the one they issue to you.
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