Wetsuit wisdom?

Next year will be a good year to do the 4.4 miler. I predict calm water with a tail wind.

Originally posted by Leonard Jansen They allow the evil wetsuits but ....... -LBJ I don't understand why everyone badmouths wetsuits...do you not wear goggles either 'cause they make a swim more enjoyable?? I love the feeling of being up on top of the water..what's the problem with that??

Originally posted by Swimmy Diana and Leonard, How did the Chestertown race go? Did you wear wetsuits? It was a nice day for a race. Swimmy :) For me, at least, it went very well. Having said that, I'll also say that I have no idea of my time or my place. But I did exactly what I needed to do to feel like I'm on track for the Manhattan race. The weather and water were beautiful and the scenery was great. Nice people, good food at the end. The only downside was the current, which was pretty strong on the way out. I did a strong, but relaxed, pace on the way out, trying to keep near the shoreline so the current would be less. (Although at one point, I had to sprint to break out of a flow that was holding me almost in place.) On the way back, I felt really good and hit the warp drive button. So much so, that by 4 miles I had caught a guy who had been 250 yards ahead of me at the turn around and then beat him in by at least 200 yards. The outgoing current had started to abate by the 4 mile mark - no free lunches in life. I didn't wear a wetsuit - I never do. It's just not the same "fun" with one. (Your mileage may vary.) I'm not sure why the race isn't more popular, although the fact that they only give 3 awards for each race and the current issues may have something to do with it. Put it on your schedule for next year! -LBJ

Leonard-How are you? I think that if they pushed it out a week or two it would get more entrants to participate. It is a week after the bay bridge swim. I made it across this year. It was a tough one! 2:23

I think the key difference is the speed advantage, goggles don't (directly) make you faster. I enjoy the feeling of swimming with fins, but I don't expect to be able to wear them in races.

Originally posted by u352 I made it across this year. It was a tough one! 2:23 T - Nice job! You are definately coming along quite nicely. Yes, I heard that it was rough. Three of the guys that I swim with who did it ended up chumming the fish and they said that a number of others did too. Ick! Yes, the SFL IS a bit close to the Bay swim, but still, there are plenty of people who didn't make the cut at the Bay swim who could go to SFL instead. They used to hold SFL in July and had larger fields, so I'm not sure why they changed it. Keep up the great work and hope to see you at some other race. -LBJ

Bruce, here's a link on fin swimming competitions www.worldgames2005.de/.../

Originally posted by LindsayNB I enjoy the feeling of swimming with fins, but I don't expect to be able to wear them in races. But if everyone in the race wore them, to be competitive, you'd probably wear them too....actually, I think that'd spice up a meet...add a fin/kicking race...our sport could use some novelty...is that why open water swimming is growing in popularity?? (It seems to me to be growing anyway) It's a variation on a theme...not the same old strokes up and down a pool....add wind, waves, temperature variation, opaque water, WETSUITS(!), drafting etc to keep it interesting.. Anyway, it's fun to see how polarizing the wetsuit issue is...the "evil wetsuit" camp seems to be championed by a purist-chic that I don't get...vive la difference

It is just the purists expressing themselves thats all. I don't take offense to it. I recognize my lack of experience and hope that they do to. Its not all bad though so keep it real!

]Originally posted by u352--- It is just the purists expressing themselves thats all. I don't take offense to it. I recognize my lack of experience and hope that they do to. Its not all bad though so keep it real! got no problem with purists I guess....why can't we just all live happily together in a wetsuit clad world??? hehehehe