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.
Parents
Former Member
A wet suit definatly makes me faster. Proof of this came last year when I swam Alcatraz for the first time without a WS. I swam very strong and had great training leading up to the race. Despite feeling strong, I was almost 4 min slower than the previous year (same current and wave conditions). Also I was 4 min behind my lane partner that I swim with and pace faster than every practice. He wore a WS, I didn't, and he was 4 min faster!
So when I swim a triathlon I wear a WS to give me the same advantage as everyone else does, and its legal. I like the type without sleeves. Im a leg drager, and barely kick at all when ever I swim. So the WS keeps my legs on top of the water and stops them from being an anchor pulling me down.
During Open Water Races I like to swim without a WS. DianaC, as for deciding wether to swim Alcatraz without a WS, try a practice swim the day before in Aquatic Park. I was in your shoes last year and after my trial swim in Aquatic Park I went for it the next day and felt great about it. The water temp is +/- 60 degrees, though 2 weeks ago it was 70 degrees for the FINA Open Water Swim off of Alameda Island in the SF Bay. I think it is colder off of Alcatraz because it is exposed more to the open ocean. This will be my 4th Alcatraz swim and it is my favorite, good venue, well run and lots of fun people.
A wet suit definatly makes me faster. Proof of this came last year when I swam Alcatraz for the first time without a WS. I swam very strong and had great training leading up to the race. Despite feeling strong, I was almost 4 min slower than the previous year (same current and wave conditions). Also I was 4 min behind my lane partner that I swim with and pace faster than every practice. He wore a WS, I didn't, and he was 4 min faster!
So when I swim a triathlon I wear a WS to give me the same advantage as everyone else does, and its legal. I like the type without sleeves. Im a leg drager, and barely kick at all when ever I swim. So the WS keeps my legs on top of the water and stops them from being an anchor pulling me down.
During Open Water Races I like to swim without a WS. DianaC, as for deciding wether to swim Alcatraz without a WS, try a practice swim the day before in Aquatic Park. I was in your shoes last year and after my trial swim in Aquatic Park I went for it the next day and felt great about it. The water temp is +/- 60 degrees, though 2 weeks ago it was 70 degrees for the FINA Open Water Swim off of Alameda Island in the SF Bay. I think it is colder off of Alcatraz because it is exposed more to the open ocean. This will be my 4th Alcatraz swim and it is my favorite, good venue, well run and lots of fun people.
