wetsuit deliberations

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:55:06 GMT

As someone who likes the evils of rubber 'cause I'm a cold wimp, I will say that the water temps you reported in advance seemed NOT to require a wetsuit. I just did a swim where the water temp was 72 in a sleeveless wetsuit and it was too much. I'm slowly acclimating and have now set my wetsuit threshhold at below 70. Someday I hope to be tough like chaos. You made the right choice. lol! i've done the bay swim 4 times and the water has always been in the mid 70's, air temps 80-95. for some reason, the event directors have chosen to encourage their use by not creating a separate bareback division. its a great swim, but with those temps, the field should be 90% nekkid (not the other way around)

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:47:20 GMT

I went without the wetsuit and had a great race! Definitely the right decision. Thanks for the advice! congrats! well done! (another swimmer saved from the evils of rubber!)

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:54:16 GMT

I went without the wetsuit and had a great race! Definitely the right decision. Thanks for the advice!

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Patrick W. Brundage — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:09:07 GMT

congrats! well done! (another swimmer saved from the evils of rubber!)Congrats! That race is a 'bucket list' race for me and hopefully someday I'll make it out east to do it. As someone who likes the evils of rubber 'cause I'm a cold wimp, I will say that the water temps you reported in advance seemed NOT to require a wetsuit. I just did a swim where the water temp was 72 in a sleeveless wetsuit and it was too much. I'm slowly acclimating and have now set my wetsuit threshhold at below 70. Someday I hope to be tough like chaos. You made the right choice.

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:44:32 GMT

go without. simply ask anyone who has done this swim both ways. they will tell you "lose the rubber" (and you will like yourself better at the finish)

RE: wetsuit deliberations

beireland — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:52:03 GMT

I've only done the swim without a wetsuit--and always swim without one. Having said that, it really depends on what your goal is. You will swim faster with it--and over 4.4 miles, the difference is enough that you really can't justify not wearing one if you are concerned about your time and overall place. You are swimming nearly 77 100's(I'm not good at math, but 4.4 miles is about 7700 yards--I think), so the advantage is 1:17 for every second per 100 difference that the wetsuit makes. I think its about 6 seconds a 100 so that would be about 8 minutes--which is a lot. My assumptions may be off but the conclusion is pretty inescapable that you will place better with it. On the other hand, if the water is warm enough to swim and enjoy it, its a good opportunity to take advantage of the water and swim without the suit. Your call. Enjoy the race--

RE: wetsuit deliberations

Former Member — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:18:09 GMT

You will be more buoyant in a wetsuit. And you will be faster assuming you do not overheat & you have a flexible well fitting wetsuit. However at those temperatures I wouldn't wear one. Assuming you are fit, and your body fat is higher than 3%, you should be able to generate enough heat to stay warm, particularly if you are looking at mid 70s