I am planning on doing the CHesapeake Bay Swim in June. I noticed from previous pics that most wore wet suits. I know last year the water was one of the coldest (64) but normally hovers around 70 when the race is. Do they wear these do to jelly fish (someone said that). I have a wet suit as a "saftey net" but normally don't wear it unless the temp is under 60. Any thoughts from those that did it?
As a side note, this is double the mileage than I have done in 60 degree water.
Thanks
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Former Member
I've done it both with and without a wetsuit. Since they don't split results, people who want to compete for awards have to wear a wetsuit, the time advantage is real. It also attracts a lot of first time open water swimmers, and the timing people strongly encourage one.
2 years ago I did it without one and the temperature was fine, last year was abnormally cold. But there is a lot of scummy stuff in the water, some of it stinging, that got in under my suit and I found myself wishing I had more on! It was a little gross and I had to stop a couple times to deal with it, which slowed me down even more. The Bay is just dirty. I'll be wearing a wetsuit this year unless it's really warm.
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Former Member
I've done it both with and without a wetsuit. Since they don't split results, people who want to compete for awards have to wear a wetsuit, the time advantage is real. It also attracts a lot of first time open water swimmers, and the timing people strongly encourage one.
2 years ago I did it without one and the temperature was fine, last year was abnormally cold. But there is a lot of scummy stuff in the water, some of it stinging, that got in under my suit and I found myself wishing I had more on! It was a little gross and I had to stop a couple times to deal with it, which slowed me down even more. The Bay is just dirty. I'll be wearing a wetsuit this year unless it's really warm.
