Wet suit or not for open water swimming?

Wearing a wetsuit is a personal choice. I don't like being cold. I suit up. My time doesn't count in the skin division. Good enough. The type of suit you wear will help your speed. Poolies just haven't made the division, yet.

Neoprene caps are allowed by USMS rules in section 3 of the rules. They are not allowed for some swims like English channel or Catalina Channel For more details on caps for open water swims see www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html

I must confess that one of the reasons I switched over from triathlon to exclusively open water swimming is because it is without the machismo and attitude I found at so many triathlons. I got so sick of it and the posturing that seemed to get worse and worse the more years I raced triathlon--exactly during the period of USAT growth. It's what I love about swim races--the collaborative attitude, each person swimming their own race, maintaining competitiveness but with the sense that we're all doing something pretty darn cool and that just to do it is something. I feel like one of the reasons that remains is because it really is just us, no wetsuit, almost fully exposed to the elements, doing what we can. And really, how cool can you look when you're standing on the shore like a goofball in your speedo...There's no my gear is better than your gear attitude. I guess I don't feel too interested in having open water swimming go the way of triathlon. I feel like the collegial atmosphere could be lost in a way that would really change the sport. Greater numbers, fine, but let it come without the rest of it. well said! regarding body composition: i'm no lynn cox either, but i could pinch an inch.

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 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 folks who want to wear them can create dozens of reasons for it... hey they provide an SPF of about 1000! those neck rub scars are really cool looking... rubber is the new black.... etc

The choice is all about preference. I did a tri on Sunday that had a 1500m lake swim. Water was 66, so it probably would have been OK to do without the rubber, but with the air temp in the low 60s, a cold morning rain, and knowing that USAT encourages drafting on the swim led me to choose to wear the rubber. I will say that while I was speedy in it, my long-john style wetsuit really messes with my body position. My legs are at the right place along the surface of the water w/o a wetsuit - but with one, they're just too high and my kick feels out of whack. A warmer day and I would probably have been the tough guy with the speedo.

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. QUOTE] patrick, the format for the TTR is a 30 minute round followed by a 20 minute round, followed by a 10 minute round..... even at the low end (55 degrees) you should be fine with little or no specific training at that temp, though i would suggest earplugs.

triathletes do; swimmers don't.

i think folks who want to wear them can create dozens of reasons for it... hey they provide an SPF of about 1000! those neck rub scars are really cool looking... rubber is the new black.... etc And there the ultimate for safe sex. :)