Hello all,
Thank you for all your responses. I now have a better idea what I will be looking for. I hope to start swimming some OW events soon (With or Without wetsuit)...
Thanks again
P.S. That xterra deal looks good...
I rented a Blue Seventy full body wetsuit for two events in Arizona this year. It helped keep me warm (the events were in early May and November) and was a marginal help in my performance.
I don't particularly enjoy wearing them but when the water is in the low-70s I will wear one. The other three events (in June, September, and October) I wore my Blue Seventy Nero Comp shorty.
Word is from the triathlon community that the Xtera suits are the ones to have. I may try one for the May 1st swim at Saguaro Lake (water will probably be 68-70F) and see if I like it better. Don't know if I will buy one or not but it is a purchase I am contemplating.
Allowing wetsuits definitely allows for greater participating in open water events. In Arizona, the five open water events we have have separate divisions and start times for wetsuits, along with separate scoring and awards. They are the best-attended sanctioned masters competitions within the LMSC (well over 200 swimmers on average) and bring in a lot of triathletes and OW-only swimmers. It works well here and everybody seems happy with the series.
Word is from the triathlon community that the Xtera suits are the ones to have. I may try one for the May 1st swim at Saguaro Lake (water will probably be 68-70F) and see if I like it better. Don't know if I will buy one or not but it is a purchase I am contemplating.
I bought the entry level Xterra Volt (sleeveless) wetsuit specifically for use in the Arizona OW series. A great deal for $99 bucks.
I tried it out at Canyon Lake this past weekend, and it performed beautifully, keeping me nice and warm. My arms were slightly chilled since it a sleeveless wetsuit, but the biggest problem I had was dealing with the cold water on my face. The lake temp was 53 degrees! Brrrr! Hopefully, things will warm up a little by May 1.
My OW practice season starts next month and the lake will most likely be in the mid/upper 60's. I'm gonna TRY to just swim in my B70 10K and hope I'm warm enough. I've never really swam in anything colder than mid/low 70's so it will be interesting! They are limiting the practice sessions to 45 minutes as well so I think I can do it...we'll see!
I'm sure you'll be fine. :)
I wanted to try my new Xterra Volt in the pool, but it would have voided my warranty. So, in an effort to acclimate to colder water temps, I started swimming (sans wetsuit) in the outdoor pool at my gym 3 weeks ago when the water was 73 degrees.
My gym turns off the heater between December and March, so I know it was much colder at some point. The heat had been on for about a week when I swam. I found 73 pretty refreshing, not too cold, but it did take me a bit longer to warm up during my workout. Last weekend the water temp was at 77, which felt really warm. It's amazing what a difference a couple of degrees can make.
My OW practice season starts next month and the lake will most likely be in the mid/upper 60's. I'm gonna TRY to just swim in my B70 10K and hope I'm warm enough. I've never really swam in anything colder than mid/low 70's so it will be interesting! They are limiting the practice sessions to 45 minutes as well so I think I can do it...we'll see!
I think you will be amazed how quickly you warm up once you get going.
I think you will be amazed how quickly you warm up once you get going.
Bob, I have a question for you. You live in a colder climate, so I'm hoping you might have some advice for me.
I was testing my wetsuit in 53 degree water at a local lake this past weekend, and found I was plenty warm, but I really struggled with the cold water on my face. I had two caps on, and used ear plugs, so my head was fine, but I had a really hard time keeping my face in the water. The cold was unbearable to me.
When I workout at the pool, my face gets pretty warm, so I'm hoping that if I just keep on swimming and get warmed up that this will offset the cold. Is this something I just need to push through and at some point during the swim it won't bother me?
My OW practice season starts next month and the lake will most likely be in the mid/upper 60's. I'm gonna TRY to just swim in my B70 10K and hope I'm warm enough. I've never really swam in anything colder than mid/low 70's so it will be interesting! They are limiting the practice sessions to 45 minutes as well so I think I can do it...we'll see!
Bob, I have a question for you. You live in a colder climate, so I'm hoping you might have some advice for me.
I was testing my wetsuit in 53 degree water at a local lake this past weekend, and found I was plenty warm, but I really struggled with the cold water on my face. I had two caps on, and used ear plugs, so my head was fine, but I had a really hard time keeping my face in the water. The cold was unbearable to me.
When I workout at the pool, my face gets pretty warm, so I'm hoping that if I just keep on swimming and get warmed up that this will offset the cold. Is this something I just need to push through and at some point during the swim it won't bother me?
Many people share this experience, including me. Dropping your face in the water is at first very challenging. Some people are more prone to "ice cream headaches, but with a neo cap on this should not be a problem.
May I offer the following from Lawrence of Arabia, one of my favorite movies:
Potter: Oh, it damn well hurts.
Lawrence: Certainly it hurts.
Potter: Well, what's the trick, then?
Lawrence: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts.
Many people share this experience, including me. Dropping your face in the water is at first very challenging. Some people are more prone to "ice cream headaches, but with a neo cap on this should not be a problem.
May I offer the following from Lawrence of Arabia, one of my favorite movies:
Potter: Oh, it damn well hurts.
Lawrence: Certainly it hurts.
Potter: Well, what's the trick, then?
Lawrence: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts.
Thanks for the advice, Bob. I have an opportunity to try it again this weekend at the same lake. This time I'll be swimming with a bunch of other people, so hopefully, this will help me. I find it easier to push through something tough while swimming if I have company. I guess I just need to perservere and not wimp out. :afraid:
