A little rant about my freaking wetsuit saga!

[KSH]

Yes... that's right ladies... the wetsuit saga continues.

So, I bought a 2XU, it didn't fit.

Returned it and bought a Blue Seventy Energie. Since I am 5'4" and weigh 122 pounds, I went with the WM:

WM 5’3” - 5’9” 160cm-175cm Medium 57 – 64 kg 123 – 141 lbs


I put it on, swim around in it... and it's too big around the waist, shoulders, it's too long... just all around baggy. And it gathered water in my lower back.

I call Tri Sports and they send me the smaller size, the WMS:

WMS 5’0” - 5’5” 152cm-165cm Medium/Small 53 – 60 kg 117 – 132 lbs


Then I screwed up. I assumed it would fit. So, a week before my next race (on 4-21-07)... I finally put it on to test it out this morning. It took me 25 minutes to get it on, but I got it on. Got in the pool, and after 25 yards it was pulling in the crotch area, and my shoulders were DEAD. I can't imagine swimming in my sprint or olympic tri in this thing.

So, I figure it might be because of flexibility in the shoulders and I think I should just buy the Helix. BUT... that's probably not the issue. If it was pulling in my crotch, it means the torso was too short, thus the shoulders were fatigued. Right?

Here I am... a week out from my tri... and I don't have a wetsuit. I am going to call the shop today and try to get something else sent... but they have to ship it, etc.

It's looking like I'll have to miss my first tri because I won't have a wetsuit... and it's totally my fault. I know it.

Yes, I could rent a wetsuit or borrow one... but then I'm in the same position. Racing in a wetsuit that doesn't fit and I come out of the water dead.

Otherwise, I know I have a long torso... and that's why I'm having all these issues.

[rocknrollgirl]

GRRRRHHHHHH.....I am really sorry that you are going through this. It sucks.I hope that you get it straight.

[JenLeath]

You should check with your local multisport shop. We have one in the next city that lets you come in and try on the suits they rent to get one that fits. They rent out Quintana Roo and Zoot, so they are good quality suits. That would suck to miss your first Tri.

Good Luck

Jen L

[Wahine]

I agree with Jen L. Try to find a rental. As you know all wetsuits fit differently, if they have selection they should be able to help you. If it's not too cold, I would try a sleeveless to solve the shoulder issues.

[KSH]

Thanks for the comments ladies!

Well... it looks like my wetsuit delima has been resolved!


Tri Sports is so wonderful (www.trisports.com)! I called and Susan stayed on the phone with me for about 30 minutes discussing wetsuits.

She came up with a great plan. I am being sent the larger size of the Energie that I know I can do my sprint in- it will be a rental.

She is also sending over a QR Hydrofull to see if that will fit. If it doesn't fit, I have the Energie rental as backup. If it does fit, I buy that wetsuit and my $65 rental fee goes towards buying it.

AND... if the QR does not fit, I order another brand after the race and I still get the $65 credit.

WOO-HOO!

[Wahine]

Yipppppeeeee!!

Nice work KSH. And be sure to tell the people at tri sports that the way they have helped you makes me want to buy stuff from them. That's great service.

[Running Mommy]

Ahh yeah, that is the BEAUTY of trisports!! Just like Susan and the gang here at TE, they get it!!

[blueseventy]

hi KSH - we saw the comment here about the fit of the energie. if you're having fit issues the best thing is to visit a store that can help you through the fit issues. a WMS size in the ENERGIE should be the right size for you and it's the one we'd put you in.

the reality here is that putting a wetsuit on correctly takes a bit of time and expertise. we're at ironman arizona at the moment and are fitting hundreds of athletes a day - today we fitted a pro (rutger beke) and moved him from a bad fit to a great fit...and the trick is all about getting the chest rubber free. spend a lot of time pulling (wiggling) the rubber from the hips and lower abdomen up to the chest and to the neck. you should lean forward for this as it allows all the to be under no tension. do it one or two times and try and get a 'wave' of rubber rolling up the front of the body. make sure the suit is also pulled well into the armpits...you should find the suit fits well and you shouldn't have any upper body restriction. follow http://blueseventy.com/owners/fitting.html

the HELIX will be a better suit and profide more free motion, but unless you're a very long torso woman, all our suits will fit you.

so if you're near ironman arizona come and see us, else either try and see a dealer or give us a call next week - ask for tim or ben and explain the issue. we'll get you sorted out.

tim

[KSH]

hi KSH - we saw the comment here about the fit of the energie. if you're having fit issues the best thing is to visit a store that can help you through the fit issues. a WMS size in the ENERGIE should be the right size for you and it's the one we'd put you in.

the reality here is that putting a wetsuit on correctly takes a bit of time and expertise. we're at ironman arizona at the moment and are fitting hundreds of athletes a day - today we fitted a pro (rutger beke) and moved him from a bad fit to a great fit...and the trick is all about getting the chest rubber free. spend a lot of time pulling (wiggling) the rubber from the hips and lower abdomen up to the chest and to the neck. you should lean forward for this as it allows all the to be under no tension. do it one or two times and try and get a 'wave' of rubber rolling up the front of the body. make sure the suit is also pulled well into the armpits...you should find the suit fits well and you shouldn't have any upper body restriction. follow http://blueseventy.com/owners/fitting.html

the HELIX will be a better suit and profide more free motion, but unless you're a very long torso woman, all our suits will fit you.

so if you're near ironman arizona come and see us, else either try and see a dealer or give us a call next week - ask for tim or ben and explain the issue. we'll get you sorted out.

tim

I'm not sure if you will see this Tim... but thanks! How nice of you to respond.

Unfortunately, I am no where near Arizona. Dang it.

Otherwise, I do have a long torso. I'm all torso. I believe that is why the WMS wetsuit fatigued my shoulders. It fit everywhere, but when I swam it pulled up into my crotch pretty bad. Which makes me think that it was too short in the torso.

[blueseventy]

hi - email me at tim@blueseventy.com and we'll get in touch. we'll get you sorted out

tim