I thought beside warmth etc., another reason to wear wet suit in open water is to protect from the elements in the water, and maybe bites from animals??
I think warmth is the main reason. Buoyancy is an added benefit, but I think a lot of swimmers who have been lifelong swimmers prefer a sleeveless wetsuit (e.g., core & legs still covered) as the full body suit can feel restricting on the shoulders.
I'm comfortable racing without a wetsuit down to probably 65 degrees ... though I'm actually contemplating the Trans Tahoe Relay this summer (www.olyclub.com/.../oc_events-frameset.html) where wetsuits aren't allowed and water temps will be much colder.
FYI: blueseventy makes a number of great wetsuits.
I thought beside warmth etc., another reason to wear wet suit in open water is to protect from the elements in the water, and maybe bites from animals??
I think warmth is the main reason. Buoyancy is an added benefit, but I think a lot of swimmers who have been lifelong swimmers prefer a sleeveless wetsuit (e.g., core & legs still covered) as the full body suit can feel restricting on the shoulders.
I'm comfortable racing without a wetsuit down to probably 65 degrees ... though I'm actually contemplating the Trans Tahoe Relay this summer (www.olyclub.com/.../oc_events-frameset.html) where wetsuits aren't allowed and water temps will be much colder.
FYI: blueseventy makes a number of great wetsuits.
