Wetsuit Necessity?

[KnottedYet]

I wonder if my kayaking wetsuit (which I wore in my tri last year) would fit you? (are you doing the Subaru tri?)

I wouldn't have made it thru my swim without the wetsuit. Love my wetsuit. I am a slow but persistant swimmer. With the wetsuit I was a slow but comfortable swimmer who was able to save enough energy to kick butt on the bike and still walk briskly during the run.

PM me, baby!

[roadie gal]

I think you have to balance the water temp vs the length of the swim. If the swim is less than 1/2 mile I'll go without the suit even if the water is pretty cold. For anything longer, I want the bouyancy and warmth of the suit.

That being said, can you rent a suit and try it out? You may find that you really like it and it's worth getting one. Or you may find that it's not. (There may be suits available to rent at the tri.)

[Wahine]

I agree with RoadieGal. The hassle of taking off a wetsuit is not worth the speed you gain for wearing one in a short race. I think this hold strue if you're comfortable in the water. A wetsuit does help swimmers who are nervous or less comfortable because the bouyancy makes you feel like you're not so at risk. So, if you're not comfortable in an open water swim I would use one because you'll waste less energy in anxiety and effort of swimming and it will allow you to do better on the bike. If you're a very confident (note I did not say fast) swimmer, I'd go without.

I'm very happy swimming in open water but I still use a wetsuit for races longer than a sprint because of the effort and comfort factor.

[Tri Girl]

I agree with Roadie Gal- the longer the swim the more I want my wetsuit. It's my "security blanket" when I'm in the water a long time (and anything that helps my legs stay bouyant without me kicking is a good thing).
There's a place called www.wetsuitrental.com A friend used them for a tri earlier in the year and they were wonderful. He called them and talked to someone who helped him decide what size he'd need and then they sent him three choices to wear. He kept one, sent the others back- then wound up buying one later in the summer.
If you want one, I'd rent one from someone to see if you like it before you drop a couple hundred clams on a new/untested one. IMO

I'd loan you mine, but it would only come to your knees.

[KnottedYet]

Teigyr - I'm not doing my tri this weekend (for a variety of reasons). don't think I'll even go watch it. But I'd love to come watch you in Sept, if you'd like a cheering section!

[teigyr]

All.

Knotted, a PM is on its way!

I guess, I don't know. It isn't that I'm uncomfortable or comfortable. I haven't been in open water since '01 and back then I was snorkeling. I don't recall having any fear though I wasn't doing anything other than looking at fish and relaxing. I will go to the gym to swim on monday and will assess how I am at that point. To be honest, I don't even know when the last time was I was in a swimming pool

While 1/2 mile doesn't seem long, I started thinking about how long that is in a pool lap-wise and it started concerning me. That and I thought if the swim was easier, my bike and run portions would then be easier. I never thought about panic in the water though I've read about it and maybe I'm thinking TOO much about it! I'm really scared of heights and I know the "freezing up" feeling all too well.

Knotted, would be wonderful to see you down there! Yes, it is the Reebok/Subaru tri.

[kylerboys]

My wetsuit is my security blanket too. I don't think I could do an OWS without it at this point. BUt I'm also a rookie swimmer too!

A wetsuit is quite an investment, so I would suggest going without for the sprint. If you are hooked on tris, then fork over the $$ for a wetsuit. Or as the pp mentioned, you could always borrow or rent one.

Good luck!

[Wahine]

While 1/2 mile doesn't seem long, I started thinking about how long that is in a pool lap-wise and it started concerning me. That and I thought if the swim was easier, my bike and run portions would then be easier. I never thought about panic in the water though I've read about it and maybe I'm thinking TOO much about it! I'm really scared of heights and I know the "freezing up" feeling all too well.

Based on what you've written here, I would go with a wetsuit.

[HillSlugger]

Rental! It cost about $35 plus $15 shipping and they'll put the cost towards a purchase if you decide to go that way.