Does anyone know of a 'reasonable' conversion factor for open water swims wearing versus not wearing a wetsuit? I know...lots of variables including individual capabilities.
Thanks,
Tree
My open water swims have been in 60 degree water, so I've worn a wetsuit. I'd say the assist from the wetsuit is pretty large, though I'm not sure how to quantify it for myself.
If I had to guess, I'd say the advantage is at least 5 seconds per 100. Still, there are so many variables that the assist would likely differ significantly from one individual to another. As Chaos suggests, I think that the advantage is much greater for someone with poor balance/technique. The same swimmers who plow through the water with their feet a foot (or more) beneath the surface in the pool will find that their feet are much closer to the surface because of the flotation from the wetsuit. That decrease in drag should translate into a relatively greater increase in speed due to the wetsuit.
I'd say the only way to know is to swim some distance (like a 100 or 200) without the wetsuit, then swim the same distance again with it on, trying to keep the same level of effort. Then extrapolate out to the larger open water distance.
Not much help, I know...
My open water swims have been in 60 degree water, so I've worn a wetsuit. I'd say the assist from the wetsuit is pretty large, though I'm not sure how to quantify it for myself.
If I had to guess, I'd say the advantage is at least 5 seconds per 100. Still, there are so many variables that the assist would likely differ significantly from one individual to another. As Chaos suggests, I think that the advantage is much greater for someone with poor balance/technique. The same swimmers who plow through the water with their feet a foot (or more) beneath the surface in the pool will find that their feet are much closer to the surface because of the flotation from the wetsuit. That decrease in drag should translate into a relatively greater increase in speed due to the wetsuit.
I'd say the only way to know is to swim some distance (like a 100 or 200) without the wetsuit, then swim the same distance again with it on, trying to keep the same level of effort. Then extrapolate out to the larger open water distance.
Not much help, I know...
