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.
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.
