Does USMS have a "position" regarding wet suits in open water swims? I've read in triathlon magazines that some oppose wet suits as these make a swimmer more buoyant than he or she would otherwise be. With a wet suit, I might be more encouraged to swim those events in colder water. But in terms of insulating against colder temperatures, how much does a wet suit really help?
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Former Member
I have swum many events both with and without a wetsuit. I use the wet suit only when I feel the water is to cold for my level of comfort/safety. Does the increased bouency (?) make you faster, probably a little but I bet not much. The last triathlon I did I swam without a wetsuit, most swam with a wetsuit, yet I was first out of the water. Granted I am a swimmer first and triathlete second but I was much faster than the second person who did have a wet suit. The week before this event I swam the Alcatraz Sharkfest with a wetsuit as it was my first time and I had to go with my comfort/safety level. I placed 9th overall:) . Did I notice a difference between the two weekends? not much really. Both water temperatures were in the 60s. But the triathlon was a shorter swim so I felt more comfortable in the safety factor. Will I swim the Alcatraz without a wetsuit next time? Maybe.
Purists in our sport will say never use a wet suit, but I say if going without means you wont do the swim, it eliminates the purpouse of swimming for the pleasure of the sport. Yes I also believe there should be a non wetsuit devision in these races, but some peolple just want the experience and joy of saying they completed something special. So go ahead and use a wet suit if you need to, and don't let it stop you from having fun
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Former Member
I have swum many events both with and without a wetsuit. I use the wet suit only when I feel the water is to cold for my level of comfort/safety. Does the increased bouency (?) make you faster, probably a little but I bet not much. The last triathlon I did I swam without a wetsuit, most swam with a wetsuit, yet I was first out of the water. Granted I am a swimmer first and triathlete second but I was much faster than the second person who did have a wet suit. The week before this event I swam the Alcatraz Sharkfest with a wetsuit as it was my first time and I had to go with my comfort/safety level. I placed 9th overall:) . Did I notice a difference between the two weekends? not much really. Both water temperatures were in the 60s. But the triathlon was a shorter swim so I felt more comfortable in the safety factor. Will I swim the Alcatraz without a wetsuit next time? Maybe.
Purists in our sport will say never use a wet suit, but I say if going without means you wont do the swim, it eliminates the purpouse of swimming for the pleasure of the sport. Yes I also believe there should be a non wetsuit devision in these races, but some peolple just want the experience and joy of saying they completed something special. So go ahead and use a wet suit if you need to, and don't let it stop you from having fun
