Tried my new wetsuit out at the Y. Water temp around 80. Works very well, but too
warm to do much of a workout. Question: What water temp would be the line for wetsuit
or no wetsuit? Is there a temp set by the event?
The answer to that question is going to be different for every person. Some, as you've seen from other posts, won't use a wetsuit no matter what the temp. Everybody generates a different level of body heat with a given activity, so that and the distance swum will all be factors. Two years ago I swam Elk Lake with a wetsuit at with temps around 68* and took some playful ribbing as a result. In my defense I was just trying to get used to the wetsuit in preparation for a 10K up in Alaska the following week. a 5K in 68* water proved too warm for me, but I love the xtra speed I get with the suit. Last year temp was about 62 and I was one of only a few to go without wetsuit. In hindsight I wish I had used my suit at that temp. The great thing about using the suit in cold water is that at least for me I look forward to the experience, instead of dreading the time spent getting numb, then taking so long after the swim to talk right again.
I wouldnt take the wetsuit in the pool other than that one time trying it bc chlorine significantly shortens its life. you may know that already. As far as cutoff temps I agree with the other poster...different for everyone. I swam in 68 water/50 air last weekend and felt really cold after a half hour. To others that's no big deal.
Here are the rules from USA Triathlon:
Wetsuits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are prohibited.
(www.usatriathlon.org/.../most-common-violations.aspx)
I've always used this as a guideline for whether to wear a wetsuit or not - although in my experience, I've found I really didn't need it when the water was 74 degrees and higher (I only have a full/long sleeve wetsuit). I agree with Kris about the extra buoyancy when swimming - Its like swimming downhill. But 68 is downright cold for me!
Here are the rules from USA Triathlon:
Wetsuits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are prohibited.
triathletes have no shame
Some events have a temperature cutoff and won't allow wetsuits if the water is above a certain temperature.
As the other posters said, everyone has a different level of tolerance for cold water. I am a "cold water wimp" and get cold easily. We do one-hour open water workouts about once a week, year-round, and this is my personal guideline (it also depends on whether the sun is out and what the air temperature is):
Water 74 or above: no wetsuit
Water 73 to 64: sleeveless, knee-length wetsuit
Water 63 to 55: long-sleeved, full-length wetsuit
I haven't swum in water colder than 55.
triathletes have no shame
It's pretty silly. FINA rules for pool swimming state the pool temperature should be between 25 and 28 degrees C. 25 C is 77 F, so triathletes would be allowed to wear wetsuits at the low end of what FINA allows for pools!
It's pretty silly. FINA rules for pool swimming state the pool temperature should be between 25 and 28 degrees C. 25 C is 77 F, so triathletes would be allowed to wear wetsuits at the low end of what FINA allows for pools!
and then everyone says... I didn't want to wear a wetsuit; but everyone else was wearing one and I didn't want to give up the advantage so......
under 60F I use a wetsuit and a neoprene cap under my silicone cap
between 60-66 I use a wetsuit depending on distance and airtemp and only a silicone cap
67+ and I get too hot in a wetsuit after only 20min swimming, but I still wear a cap so I can be seen in the water
