I did my Season's first

[Pika]

open water swim today
I went with dh and 2 others to one of the lakes today to try the new wetsuit.
I was concerned because the other 2 girls who seem the same size as me had ordered larger wetsuits ( we ordered them thru the triclub here)
Well after I wiggled and squirmed and pulled up up up and then wiggled some more...I was in!
We did approx 1000 meters- the water was COLD!!! I didn't put my face in the first 300meters- I thought it would freeze off- but then once it was wet it was better in the water because the wind hitting my face made it really cold-

The wetsuit seemed alright- I have never swum with a wetsuit.. they make you sooo FLOATY! It was weird but a good weird.
My major concern now it getting the wetsuit off!
It definitely sticks at ankle and wrists.. bodyglide???? Suggestions anyone?
I think the size will be ok, the other girl who had a larger one said hers filled with a lot of water- mine ..very little so I think that is better.. right??

With the first race coming in 3 weeks I will be practicing T1 lots I think

[LBTC]

Wow! That seems like a major step! (not that I would be doing a tri ever, so I don't fully know). Is it better to be out in the water on an overcast, muggy day like today was? Or would sunny be better?

Can't say I can help with the wetsuit removal. Would butterflies help peel it off for you?

I'm really impressed with all that you tri girls do. Keep it up, Pika! You rock!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[crazycanuck]

Hey Pika

What are the water conditions like? Can you see down to the bottom of the lake?

In terms of getting the wetsuit off easier, try body glide. As far as i can tell, that's what most folks use.

Have a fun time

C

[eclectic]

Pika
I am researching everything I can on tri's and wetsuits as I have my first one coming up and a wetsuit is required.

Upon surfing the net I came across a tri wetsuit site (no idea where now) that said as you start walking/running out of the water unzip and strip to your waist. Once out of the water move to the side to let others pass and take off your suit as soon as you get out. The reasoning behind this is wetsuits are easier to take off when there is still the thin layer of water and then also you can run to transition easier. If you wait, by the time you get to transition it has drained off thus making it harder to peel off.

I have no experience in this but it seemed logical.

BTW everything I have read said that it should fit like a second skin and if they are too big water can pool in especially in the crotch area and add drag. They are supposed to be tight, tight, tight but still give good range of motion. So it sounds to me like you made the better decision.

Good luck!

[Pika]

eclectic.. what you said makes sense- it was pretty easy to peel .. until I got to my calf- then it kinda got stuck
CC- we have 2 good lakes near here, one has much colder water generally though the water is amazing- various hues of blue/green/aqua- grwing up here I remember easily seeing down 20-30ft to the bottom- unfortunately that is not the case anymore- in that lake on a good day you can see maybe 10 ft. Today we were in the other lake- it is warmer though doesn't seem as clean- many many canada geese- pooping everywhere (yuck!). It was quite wavey - the wind had come up- generally this lake is a good choice though since they have bouys marking a triangle so the swimroute around the triangle is about 500m.
LBTC I'll take the butterflies if they help get the darn thing off- I think it would have been nicer if it was sunny- maybe not as easy to "sight" the bouys if the sun was in my eyes but it waould have been warmer getting out out the water- the wind was chilly!

[Wahine]

Pika - definitely body glide to the ankles/heel/calf area and anywhere else it seems the wetsuit is hanging up. It helps a lot. It also helps a lot to do what eclectic said and try to peel off as much as you can before things start to dry out. I'm using the phrase "a lot" a lot in this post. Reminds me of Mandy - a lot!! Sometimes I really miss China.

[rocknrollgirl]

Bodyglide...and practice..A Lot!!!!!!!

[Tri Girl]

Woo hoo! You'll get better at removal the more you do it! Bodyglide is a must!

Great job on your first open water! I LOVE the flotation of a wetsuit- I don't even kick when I wear one, I just roll side to side and make even smooth strokes. LOVE wetsuits (and I hear getting in one in the ocean is 10 times more floaty- yippee). Sounds like your wetsuit fits great! You want only a little water inside- you definitely don't want to have it fill up. When it comes to wetsuits- the tighter the better (so long as you can still breathe and move ).
Congrats!!!! Can't wait to hear about your race!

[JenLeath]

Our races hear had wetsuit peelers until this year. Too many liabilities with the peelers damaging the suits. But, it was sure nice, they were there right as you came out of the water, you sat on your butt and they pulled the suit down. I will have to practice this year.

Good Luck
Jen L

[mcoleman]

Don't forget to bodyglide your neck and be sure to go all the way under your ears. I do not own a wetsuit, but have rented one twice for our area's first tri of the season in April. I remembered to put body glide on the back of my neck, but ended up with a horrible wetsuit hickey around the side of my neck. I could feel it rubbing every time I took a breath. Lesson learned.