I’m a New Englander coming out for Cali 70.3. I can’t wait! For those of you who have tried sleeveless wetsuits in years past, how did that work for you? Would you go sleeveless again, or was it too cold in retrospect? I realize the race is a little later this year, so asking about years past doesn’t exactly equate. I figure it’s a good ballpark, though. I appreciate the insight!
i suggest a full suit…and a nice hood…water is cold this year for some reason!!!
This will actually be the first time I’ve done the race, but trust me, you will want as much coverage as you can get. The water will be COLD down here for quite a few months. Depending on how well you handle cold, I’ sure you could do it in a sleeveless, but you would definitely not be comfortable.
If you have a high tolerance to cold, you might be able to swing a sleeveless, but trust me, I surf about 250 days/year here in San Clemente, just 20 minutes north of Oceanside, and the water temps in early April are still in the upper 50’s. If we get a strong front pushing through with NW wind for a couple of days in a row, it could drop to the low 50’s. Happened two years ago for this race. Full suit w/hood is what the majority of people are wearing for this race.
I agree, FULL SUIT!
Full suit plus hood/yamalkah thing. Its freaking COLD. and i train in maine. This is colder.
DEFINETLy not sleeveless suit.
I’ve never raced in water that cold before. I’ve been looking on websites for one. Are they hoods made for surfing?
They are made for swimming - check this one out
http://www.trisports.com/de-soto-neoprene-swim-cap.html
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I wore full sleeve and neoprene cap last year. It got about 2 degrees warmer in the week before the race so it really wasn’t that bad. I have zero problems staying warm is cold water (nice insulation layer) and was ever so slightly on the warm side by the end of it. I could have gotten away with just the swim cam, but was fine with the neoprene. I would not have wanted short sleeve unless it was warmer or if you get really really hot wearing full sleeves.
I’m not sure how the weather has been this year, but it will depend on tides as well.
I did the race in 2005 and 2006. Both times I wore a sleeveless suit. It was cold, but my arms went numb pretty quickly from the hard work. At the end of the swim, I was glad because it was easy to get my suit off and make the 1/4 mile run into transition.
Jason
I’ve never raced in water that cold before. I’ve been looking on websites for one. Are they hoods made for surfing?
Try DeSoto
So full suit - yes, hood - yes, what about booties? Are they legal at Cali, any recommended brands?
Don’t forget the fins!
Booties are not normally legal, but the year the water was freezing, 2007, they allowed them.
Good to know, you just saved me some cash. I couldn’t find anything about it on their website.
Thanks for the help!
Last year full suit, double-capped it and it was pleasant…and I have no body fat to keep me warm. I think the water was low 60s last year. This year I’ll bring my neoprene hoodie instead of the double cap.
I was born and raised in So Cal. I live about 1.5 hrs north of Oceanside. TRUST me, unless your a polar bear, you will want a full suit and a neoprene cap. Check out http://trisports.com/zoswnecap.html Cheap and easy to rip off quick in transition. Plus you have a long run to T1 to get your arms out.
Full suit for sure…I live here in San Diego and the water will be cold. Your feet will be numb as it is, keep your arms warm and preserve your energy
Booties are not normally legal, but the year the water was freezing, 2007, they allowed them.
Did you wear them?
I have done the race 3 times with a sleeveless wetsuit. It is cold and a full suit is better, but it is not that bad that you can not do it sleeveless. If you own one than is comfortable/fits well go with the full suit.
I bought a hood last year the day before the race at the expo and it was very nice to have.