Hi,
I am thinking of investing in a wetsuit. Any wisdom out there? What style is the best...long, short, sleeves, no sleeves. Where is the best place to find one? Does wearing a wetsuit significantly improve your time?
Last year I did the 1 mile swim in the Chesapeake Bay. Most people had wetsuits. The water temperature was 72 degrees, and I was not cold at all even though I did not have a wetsuit.
Any thoughts?
Swimmy :)
I've seen people use fastskins in open water, but never asked them about it. My initial reaction is "why would you ruin it by swimming in this crappy water?" But certainly if the suits were purchased explicitly for open water races, their use makes more sense. I can't imagine they were created for use in salt-water.
I can see where the benefit might come with speed, but for the mens side, I have heard a lot of talk of overheating during distance events in the pool in the full body fastskin-type suits. I would think most open water events, being 1mi+ would have the same issue.
As for the hair issues, wearing a wetsuit should alleviate both of those problems. If not allowed, shave. Tri's usually keep themselves pretty well clipped March to October around here - no reason not to do regular trims as swimmers!
I've gone speedo only in 75 degree lakes and a pair of 1mile bay swims, and donned a wesuit for the last two years' 4.4 mi swims. I don't think it hurt me not to have the fastskin on.
I've seen people use fastskins in open water, but never asked them about it. My initial reaction is "why would you ruin it by swimming in this crappy water?" But certainly if the suits were purchased explicitly for open water races, their use makes more sense. I can't imagine they were created for use in salt-water.
I can see where the benefit might come with speed, but for the mens side, I have heard a lot of talk of overheating during distance events in the pool in the full body fastskin-type suits. I would think most open water events, being 1mi+ would have the same issue.
As for the hair issues, wearing a wetsuit should alleviate both of those problems. If not allowed, shave. Tri's usually keep themselves pretty well clipped March to October around here - no reason not to do regular trims as swimmers!
I've gone speedo only in 75 degree lakes and a pair of 1mile bay swims, and donned a wesuit for the last two years' 4.4 mi swims. I don't think it hurt me not to have the fastskin on.
