outdoor tri in Colorado - wetsuit?

[Bike Potato]

I am thinking of signing up for my first (sprint) triathlon this year. It will be at the end of June near Denver, CO. The website says the water is usually in the low to mid 70s (F) that time of year.
Has anyone else done a summer triathlon in Colo? Or in similar water temperatures? Do you think I need a wetsuit? Or maybe just a wetsuit top? If I got a wetsuit, would a sleeveless be OK?

To me that sounds cold - I am a wimp in the cold any time of year!
thanks!

[colby]

Low to mid-70s is not a bad temp for not swimming in a wetsuit and just getting in the water. You'd adjust to the water temperature fairly quickly, and while it will feel cold, it won't feel suffocatingly cold.

If you want to go wetsuit, I think sleeveless would be a good choice. That sounds a little warm for a full suit for me (and probably not worth the effort of getting the thing on and off!).

I don't think you NEED a wetsuit at that temperature, but I have used my sleeveless suit in the low 70s and I like the extra buoyancy and comfort.

[Tri Girl]

We did a tri at the end of June in Denver 3 years ago (Tri the Creek), and the water was FREEZING. I remember they said the water temp would be upper 60's/low 70's- but they were wrong. There was no way it was that warm. Before the race start they said they'd had a lot of snow that spring and the water was cooler than normal. Uh- yeah.
It was a sprint, and although I got warmed up, it was COLD. I had a sleeveless wetsuit on, and I seriously don't think I would have done it if I didn't have one. I would wear one- or at least have one in case it's frigid.
I live in Oklahoma, so am not used to that cold, mountain-fed frigid water. I suppose if you're from that area, you might be more used to it if you swim in it regularly starting in June.

[Bike Potato]

Thank you both for your replies. I guess if it was a hot day out, 70s would be a decent temp. Tri Girl, thanks for sharing your experience because it brings up a good point - it really depends on the winter we had and so far it's still winter here. I had ice on my windshield yesterday, so it's hard to imagine the lakes being very warm any time soon. Maybe I'll check out the sales and get a wet suit just in case. At least I could use it for training while we wait for summer.

Thanks again, I appreciate both of your replies - makes me feel better if I have some idea of what to expect.

[Tri Girl]

The weirdest and coolest thing about that race was that I didn't stay wet from sweat like I do here. On the run, I was bone-dry even tho I was sweating. Without the humidity I stayed dry. It was so weird (but I really, really liked it).
You guys just got snow recently. My bro lives in the Springs and said it's been a *very* long winter.