Silver,
I think everyone, or most people feel that way about the wetsuit in the begininng. Once you get used to it, you will love it. Given a choice between two races, one that allows wetsuits and one that does not, I would always go with the wetsuit.

My DH is a sinker and he will not race without one. I hated it at first, and now I love it. Well, I still hate getting in to the thing. Give it time. Wait until you get in the open water.