Before I start....this is purely hypothetical ...I have no intention of doing this!
Has anyone ever made an inflatable tri wetsuit?
We're limited on neoprene thickness under the rules...but I don't recall it saying anything about inflation.
If we borrowed technology from diving and installed drysuit seals at the wrists, ankles and neck along with a drysuit zip. then installed a inner tube valve (perhaps in the crotch area so it is out of the water flow and could also be used for critical pre race nerves drainage).
You could then inflate your suit giving yourself huge bouyancy (although suit design would be critical to hold this air in the right areas). Enough air and you would be swimming on the water not through it.
And the best bit......
Imaging what it would be like before race start...those guys who are sure that extra 20psi in their tires is going to make them super human will be doing the same to their wetsuits.......suddenly human blimps will be exploding all over transition!
Has anyone ever made an inflatable tri wetsuit?
We're limited on neoprene thickness under the rules...but I don't recall it saying anything about inflation.
If we borrowed technology from diving and installed drysuit seals at the wrists, ankles and neck along with a drysuit zip. then installed a inner tube valve (perhaps in the crotch area so it is out of the water flow and could also be used for critical pre race nerves drainage).
You could then inflate your suit giving yourself huge bouyancy (although suit design would be critical to hold this air in the right areas). Enough air and you would be swimming on the water not through it.
And the best bit......
Imaging what it would be like before race start...those guys who are sure that extra 20psi in their tires is going to make them super human will be doing the same to their wetsuits.......suddenly human blimps will be exploding all over transition!