The open water discussion has been a little boring lately so time to add some controversy. The above quote was affixed to a plaque my swimmers gave me when I retired as Head Coach of the University of Denver Masters Swim Team. Yes, they knew where I stood on the subject. Others share my view. In my day job as a stock broker I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal “Wimp or Triathlete, You Probably Like That New Wetsuit" by Kevin Helliker, published on September 24, 1999. In it were several memorable quotes on the subject. "How pathetic, says Betsy Brennan a Lake Michigan swimmer" "When I see people in wetsuits, I think: wimp." Another Chicagoan Ted Erikson, who did a double crossing of the English Channel without a wetsuit, said on the increasingly use of wetsuit by swimmers in Lake Michigan. "I ask them, 'Why don't you just get a boat? Boats have heaters.”:D
I've done some open water miles, including an ocean swim w/ the water temp in the 60s--in that one, the race literature even recommended wetsuits--and a 5.25 miler all without a wetsuit.
It's not that I'm especially courageous. Darn things are too expensive! But then I think it's been good that way b/c I haven't come to depend on wetsuits. However, I have no particular issue w/ others wearing them--I suppose if they do give a speed advantage, it would be more fair to offer a wetsuit and non-wetsuit division... and now, based on your comments, the no-suit division... but I'm not crazy about that last. C'mon guys, don'tcha know sunscreen gets expensive if you have to cover more of yourself? :violin:
I will say that for the 5+ mile race, my cousin offered to lend me his wetsuit, but I said no I'd be fine. He was worried so he sent the wetsuit; however, it didn't reach me in time b/c I'd already left for the race. Fortunately, I never felt the need for it the whole time. The air temp was very warm and the water too, so I think I would have been too hot in a wetsuit, although others wore them. But I never once felt cold. Seasick, yes. ;) But not cold.
I'm now thinking though that making it through 5 miles w/out a wetsuit enhances the sense of accomplishment I already felt w/ having done the swim (I don't take it way from wetsuit wearers since that's a heckuva long time to swim for anyone.)
So I'm either a real swimmer or a broke swimmer, ha!
I've done some open water miles, including an ocean swim w/ the water temp in the 60s--in that one, the race literature even recommended wetsuits--and a 5.25 miler all without a wetsuit.
It's not that I'm especially courageous. Darn things are too expensive! But then I think it's been good that way b/c I haven't come to depend on wetsuits. However, I have no particular issue w/ others wearing them--I suppose if they do give a speed advantage, it would be more fair to offer a wetsuit and non-wetsuit division... and now, based on your comments, the no-suit division... but I'm not crazy about that last. C'mon guys, don'tcha know sunscreen gets expensive if you have to cover more of yourself? :violin:
I will say that for the 5+ mile race, my cousin offered to lend me his wetsuit, but I said no I'd be fine. He was worried so he sent the wetsuit; however, it didn't reach me in time b/c I'd already left for the race. Fortunately, I never felt the need for it the whole time. The air temp was very warm and the water too, so I think I would have been too hot in a wetsuit, although others wore them. But I never once felt cold. Seasick, yes. ;) But not cold.
I'm now thinking though that making it through 5 miles w/out a wetsuit enhances the sense of accomplishment I already felt w/ having done the swim (I don't take it way from wetsuit wearers since that's a heckuva long time to swim for anyone.)
So I'm either a real swimmer or a broke swimmer, ha!
