I plan on doing the 5K championships without a wetsuit, but I also plan on a non sanctioned 6 mile swim and some other team tri's this summer where I wetsuits are permitted.
I was wondering how much faster a 1000 time would be with a wetsuit. Anyone have good experience or numbers for this?
I may put it on and try a pool 1000 to see what the difference is, but I would like to avoid the test.
I would like to use the wetsuit if it will be faster.
Parents
Former Member
Wetsuits make you faster. No question. Period. Doesn't matter if you start out as a strong swimmer or not. You will go faster. Swimmers with good body position get even better body position with a wetsuit. Buoyancy rocks! Especially when you start to get tired in a race.
Over the past six years, I have done dozens of open water swims - about 50/50 with or without a wetsuit. I have found that I go approx 1 min faster per mile with the wetsuit. That's about 4 secs per 100. I train at approx 1:05/100yd pace. That's comperable to the guy who said he is 8 sec/100 faster and holds 2:00/100.
The absolute and unquestioned key to the wetsuit is fit. It MUST fit properly. A poor fitting wetsuit can actually make you slower. If buying one, try many on. DO NOT buy the best looking one or the most affordable one. Buy the one that fits properly. I promise you will pay double in the middle of a race for the better fitting suit than the affordable one. And no one will see the more attractive one while you are swimming in the middle of the ocean or lake. Also, skip the full sleeve. A longjohn is all you need. The sleeves increase the risk of a poor fit. And I can promise you will never race in water so cold that full sleeves are necessary. My longjohn has kept me plenty warm in water in the low 50s.
When trying on wetsuits, make sure you test them in the water. A wetsuit fits differently while you are standing on dry ground than when you are laying flat on top of the water. Warning: Not every retailer will let you try them in the water before committing. Ask first. Walk out if they don't. I suggest ordering many types and many sizes on-line. Try them all and return the ones that don't work. Only costs you a little shipping for the return.
Wetsuits make you faster. No question. Period. Doesn't matter if you start out as a strong swimmer or not. You will go faster. Swimmers with good body position get even better body position with a wetsuit. Buoyancy rocks! Especially when you start to get tired in a race.
Over the past six years, I have done dozens of open water swims - about 50/50 with or without a wetsuit. I have found that I go approx 1 min faster per mile with the wetsuit. That's about 4 secs per 100. I train at approx 1:05/100yd pace. That's comperable to the guy who said he is 8 sec/100 faster and holds 2:00/100.
The absolute and unquestioned key to the wetsuit is fit. It MUST fit properly. A poor fitting wetsuit can actually make you slower. If buying one, try many on. DO NOT buy the best looking one or the most affordable one. Buy the one that fits properly. I promise you will pay double in the middle of a race for the better fitting suit than the affordable one. And no one will see the more attractive one while you are swimming in the middle of the ocean or lake. Also, skip the full sleeve. A longjohn is all you need. The sleeves increase the risk of a poor fit. And I can promise you will never race in water so cold that full sleeves are necessary. My longjohn has kept me plenty warm in water in the low 50s.
When trying on wetsuits, make sure you test them in the water. A wetsuit fits differently while you are standing on dry ground than when you are laying flat on top of the water. Warning: Not every retailer will let you try them in the water before committing. Ask first. Walk out if they don't. I suggest ordering many types and many sizes on-line. Try them all and return the ones that don't work. Only costs you a little shipping for the return.
