Thinking about starting open water swimming?

Well... let's step carefully here since my mom always said never to discuss religion, politics or wetsuits... I advocate not wearing a wetsuit because it changes the sport from swimming in open water to paddling in open water. Wetsuits provide buoyancy, warmth and protection from things like jellyfish stings. They also can help compensate for poor technique and can lead to a 0 - 10% speed increase. Personally, I prefer to "do it myself" and not be reliant on that level on technology. I'd rather that we race each other instead of the the wetsuit manufacturing companies racing. I also love the feel of the water on my skin and the constent attention to technique. That said, I see no problem with you deciding to use a wetsuit. It's your race and if you feel the need for one for whatever reason, then go for it. I also see no issue with races that allow them - it's their race and if I decide to enter as a wetsuitless person and get whomped by the wetties, well, I knew the rules up front. Keep in mind that if you grow "dependent" on a wetsuit to compete, there are some nice races that you won't be able to enter. (e.g. 10k for the USA in Atlantic City, NJ) But man, oh man, when you come out of that water half-frozen, tired as all get-out, with a few jellyfish stings and plop down on the sun-drenched dock, babbling incoherently to anyone who'll listen and someone hands you a soda or beer... it just doesn't get any better than that. -LBJ

Well... let's step carefully here since my mom always said never to discuss religion, politics or wetsuits... I advocate not wearing a wetsuit because it changes the sport from swimming in open water to paddling in open water. Wetsuits provide buoyancy, warmth and protection from things like jellyfish stings. They also can help compensate for poor technique and can lead to a 0 - 10% speed increase. Personally, I prefer to "do it myself" and not be reliant on that level on technology. I'd rather that we race each other instead of the the wetsuit manufacturing companies racing. I also love the feel of the water on my skin and the constent attention to technique. That said, I see no problem with you deciding to use a wetsuit. It's your race and if you feel the need for one for whatever reason, then go for it. I also see no issue with races that allow them - it's their race and if I decide to enter as a wetsuitless person and get whomped by the wetties, well, I knew the rules up front. Keep in mind that if you grow "dependent" on a wetsuit to compete, there are some nice races that you won't be able to enter. (e.g. 10k for the USA in Atlantic City, NJ) But man, oh man, when you come out of that water half-frozen, tired as all get-out, with a few jellyfish stings and plop down on the sun-drenched dock, babbling incoherently to anyone who'll listen and someone hands you a soda or beer... it just doesn't get any better than that. -LBJ