Just did a team triathlon 1K swim and was slower than my pool time. I think it screwed up my kick rythym and I had trouble with breathing. Maybe it was a bit too tight, but overall, I think I would have been better without.
I noticed the fastest swimmers had no wetsuits.
If you are only swimming and don't have to save the legs, do all agree that you should leave the wetsuit at home if the water temp is good?
I did alot of training in the pool for this event and I am really bummed that I wore it.
First, good luck in Alcatraz, DianaC. And if I had any experience/advice on that swim, I'd share it!
But I just want to say I'm grateful for this thread. I'm new to open water swimming... will be doing a mile swim in Sept. for which I doubt I'll need a wetsuit since I expect the water will be fairly warm still. But I'm thinking longterm too... of a longer swim next year... and wondering if it might be a good idea to invest in a wetsuit. I don't much like the idea of something constricting my movement and that seems to be the big drawback I've heard about.
But also maybe it will widen my swimming/racing options, since I will be able to choose some colder water races... altho some races don't allow wetsuits even in colder temps.
In one of my swims, the website recommended wetsuits b/c the ocean temp was in the mid sixties. My coach said he didn't think wetsuits were needed and that he never used one. I was just as glad b/c I didn't feel ready to spend the money, and as it turned out, I was fine w/out one. I noticed pockets of colder water, but mostly the temp was comfortable...on the cool side but still okay.
So I'll be watching this thread w/ interest.
First, good luck in Alcatraz, DianaC. And if I had any experience/advice on that swim, I'd share it!
But I just want to say I'm grateful for this thread. I'm new to open water swimming... will be doing a mile swim in Sept. for which I doubt I'll need a wetsuit since I expect the water will be fairly warm still. But I'm thinking longterm too... of a longer swim next year... and wondering if it might be a good idea to invest in a wetsuit. I don't much like the idea of something constricting my movement and that seems to be the big drawback I've heard about.
But also maybe it will widen my swimming/racing options, since I will be able to choose some colder water races... altho some races don't allow wetsuits even in colder temps.
In one of my swims, the website recommended wetsuits b/c the ocean temp was in the mid sixties. My coach said he didn't think wetsuits were needed and that he never used one. I was just as glad b/c I didn't feel ready to spend the money, and as it turned out, I was fine w/out one. I noticed pockets of colder water, but mostly the temp was comfortable...on the cool side but still okay.
So I'll be watching this thread w/ interest.
