I’m relatively new to the sport and planning to tackle the Devilman Triathlon in New Jersey in May 2008 as one of my first races. Do I really need a wetsuit for this race? The water temperature will be 70 degrees, and the swim is only .45 miles.
To be honest, I’ve never quite understood the prevelance of wetsuits in shorter races. It doesn’t seem like you don’t really need a wetsuit to stay warm in 70 degree water. And whatever time you save because of aerodynamics is outweighed by how long it takes to get the frickin’ thing off! right?
I tend to agree with you. However, when you get to the pointy end of the race, those folks are so quick taking the suit off, it really makes almost no difference. Of course, the better the swimmer, the smaller the benefit of the suit. so… I tend to agree with you… still
I figure a wetsuit saves me a net 60-70 seconds in a .45 mile swim. Well worth it to me since I am usually shooting for an AG podium spot. It also takes being cold out of the equation, especially if the race is in Lake Michigan.
Simple equation - how much time do you save with the wetsuit, minus how much time it takes you to remove it. Significantly positive (for you)? Wear a wetsuit. Negative? Don’t.
An intangible to be added to that equation. How much faster do you think you will be as a whole if you can come out of the water at the same time as, say, the top 10? Especially if you all have to change out of a wetsuit. Speaking for myself…if wearing one puts me in that position (and I do very short races where the time saved/lost is even smaller) I know I am a whole lot more motivated to bike faster as well. If I were off the front and knowing I would have to bike harder still to get into that contention I might be less likely to work so hard. Sometimes time is not always about gains and losses.
Here’s the thing, you don’t really need a wetsuit. You need a bike, but a wetsuit doesn’t count as a need.
(I should mention that I kind of hate them) but you’ll be fine, particularly in a short swim, and 70* isn’t that cold. The worst of it will be waiting for your wave to go off if it’s an in water start.
no, you don’t need one. If it is cold it could become a need though. also if you have a panic attack it would be very nice. it could end up being a safety precaution.
**skip the wetsuit, just get in there and enjoy the race! **
I make and sell wetsuits for a living and I would tend to agree with that. If it’s a first triathlon and the water is not too cold, with a short swim, just get out there and enjoy it. If the water is cold and you want that extra bit of saftey( and speed - I’ll get to that in a sec.), then you can borrow or rent a wetsuit.
Let’s be clear, you will be faster in the wetsuit than if you went without - the range is 5 - 15 sec faster/100m. If you can get the wetsuit off fast, even in a short race the time savings can be significant. If this is a concern, if you are competing for a podium spot, then I would get a wetsuit.
