Think about getting some neoprene booties and gloves as well. you can get Scuba gear if you can't find swimming specific stuff like this. Surfers use this stuff all the time.

You could also use some wax earplugs and put on a regular swim cap over your neoprene cap to help keep water out. If your feet get cold easy, you could also get some of the Blue Seventy swim booties.

Just did Escape from Alcatraz this year and was very concerned about the swim (being from Miami, there is no way to prepare for it).

Definately get some ear plugs. I also wore booties which I bought from Cabela's (www.cabelas.com)

Get a practice swim in the water. Don't wade into it, take a full plunge.

After about 5 - 10 minutes, I felt like I could stay in all day.

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The Cuban Comet
(Comets are unbelievably slow over Cuba)

If you want to swim fast do not use booties or gloves. Before you know it they will fill with water and will slow you down.
Ear plugs and neoprene cap is a good idea. When you first get in your face and feet might feel cold but after you start swimming you will get used to it.

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I see obsessed people.

No booties. Too much drag.

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Born again Heathen
In Case of Keith Moon - Break This Glass
Ironman Certified Coach
USAT Certified Coach
Precision Nutrition Certified

Wear a long sleeve poly pro top under the wetsuit. I use the DeSoto one, they are really thick, and it makes a huge difference in fighting out the cold. We use them surfing all the time in the winter, and I would say that it almost doubles the warming effect of the wetsuit. Use some vaseline on all the exposed skin areas, feet, hands, face...JUst have atowel there to wipe your hands after the swim, vaseline and bike bars don't mix too well.....

What if you don't get used to it? I seem to have a problem with cold water in that I never warm up. The longer I'm in the water the colder I get, to the point I've suffered mild hypothermia in the mid-50's (and this is with a full wetsuit and two swim caps). Any advice for poor bastards like me?

PS- 68º water starts to feel cold to me after ~30 minutes even with a wetsuit

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Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding it hurts.

Gloves and booties will slow you down too much. Also, I would check the rule book as they might be illegal? Otherwise, how about paddles and fins? How do they differentiate?

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John Kenny, Pro Triathlete, USAT Certified Coach - http://www.frenchcreekracing.com
Philly Masters and Open Water
Swim and Multisport Events

sure there is...

Train in the same temp water that you're swimming in. I know that that may be difficult, - but we do it. Pedro sits in a bathtub full of ice water.

Monty's polypro top trick is good. In a tri if the water is cold, and the air is cold, you can swim with a polypro top on top of your singlet under your wetsuit, and keep wearing it for the bike (dries quickly). Then remove the Polypro top for the run (singlet underneath)

He has an 11 mile run prior to the swim. The interesting part might be just getting the wetsuit on...assuming he's pretty sweaty after the run.

Swim harder/faster?

I have some neoprene socks from pro-motion that work great. They fit tight, so they can't really fill up with water. They keep my feet nice and toasty.

Thanks ;)

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Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding it hurts.