Will I need a wetsuit for this race?

At those temps, I think you'd be fine without a wetsuit. I've not heard of too many people that aren't MORE obsessed with triathlon after they do a race, but you could certainly do the first sprint and then wait until later on a purchase. Another option would be to rent. Several companies including DeSoto and XTerra have online rentals that you can do. Some will even credit the cost of the rental back to a purchase if you go that route.

Comfort is very personal. If they forbid it at 76 where you live, i would be surprised if you get hypotermia for one less degree (75).

I personally did all my triathlon without wetsuit. Some triathlon the water was Hotter then the air (water 68 vs 55 air). I would just do it the way you enjoy it the most.

À lot of poeple will tell you otherwise because the wetsuit helps floating.

I suspect i live upper on the north then you do since 75 seems quite hot to me. Still, i would not worry. Remember that you will be racing and generating heat.

This stuff is very individual. In general, if the race is wetsuit legal (below 78), most triathletes will wear one. My guess is that it's mainly because so many are not confident swimmers and are at least psychologically attached to the additional buoyancy that the wetsuit provides. While it's doubtful you'd become dangerously hypothermic during a 500m swim in 73-76 degree water, it's possible, if you're very thin, cold-blooded, and/or unable to swim hard enough to work up much body heat, you might be uncomfortable. I find that a good compromise for those conditions is a sleeveless or (what I have) a sleeveless shortie wetsuit that ends above the knees. It comes off much faster than a full wetsuit, but provides some extra warmth to the core (my back tends to cramp when I'm cold, which slows me down), allows complete freedom of movement, and gives a modest buoyancy boost. I've worn mine for conditions down to 70-72; below 70 I am definitely in a full suit. I think that between the faster speed of taking it off and the somewhat smaller buoyancy boost, it pretty much balances out and puts one on an equal footing with athletes wearing a full wetsuit. On the other hand, if you're NOT cold-blooded, and are a strong swimmer, you might be just as well off not bothering with a wetsuit at all in those temps. Can you swim in the venue, or another lake with temps in the 70's, beforehand to get an idea how you will deal with different water temps?

Personally, I'd go without a wet-suit for a 500 yd swim in mid 70's water.
It's your first race - skip the wet-suit (have one less thing to buy and worry about) and enjoy the race!

I fully agree with this. I don't think water temps in the mid-upper 70's for a 500yd swim will pose any problems. I swam my 1st Oly without a wetsuit with a water temp around 76-77. If (as most of us did) you become hooked after this 1st one, there's plenty of time and gear to get later. Enjoy!

Edited by dbrook1 2015-08-20 3:18 PM

It depends on your goals and your swim ability. Wetsuits make you go faster. If you are not a very good swimmer, it will be more of an effect than if you are a good swimmer. Also, since they are buoyant, they will help you float if you get into trouble. This gave me a lot of comfort at my first race.

At that temperature, you would be fine with a sleeveless, sleeved or without a wetsuit. If you want to go for time, it might be beneficial to you to get a wetsuit however, you should practise getting in and out of one and swimming with one before the race.