I’m starting my first season of tris, and am planning on doing several sprints in eastern Ontario: Smith’s Falls, Kingston, Brockville, and whatever else happens to catch my fancy. My one concern at this time is the water temperature; I can’t imagine it’ll be especially warm in Smith’s Falls at the end of June, for example. Since I’ve never done a tri before I’m not sure I want to spend a few hundred dollars on a wetsuit and then maybe find out that I don’t want to stick with the sport. So, my question is: Is the water at these races cold enough to require a wetsuit, and is there anywhere where a suit can be rented for them?
There’s a swim specific store in Toronto that rents suits, but I can’t remember their name. I think that perhaps Runner’s Life in Peterborough might be starting to do this. Not aware of anyone further east.
Kingston, Brockville and Ottawa are all quite doable without a wetsuit, especially for sprints, although I prefer to keep mine on for these events.
There are a couple of stores (at least) in the Toronto area that rent wetsuits. Endurosport (www.endurosport.com) is one, and Swim & Sports (www.triswim.com) is the one that CG might be thinking of.
I think that Cerveloguy is correct about Runner’s Life in Peterborough … they were selling/renting Highway 19 suits last summer I think. The suit on EBay doesn’t look too bad. I have a QR that has many battle scars on it. You just slop on some repair cement and keep using it. If you buy a flawless suit, it is only a matter of time before you get a few nicks in it so if you can get a good price on one that has been fixed then I would go for it. Keep in mind that renting a suit is around $30/weekend so you Ebay suit at $90 would seem like a good deal. Having raced Kingston, the past 4 years, I know that you wouldn’t have any trouble swimming there without a wetsuit but as Cerveloguy also mentioned, I would rather do the race with a wetsuit on than without it.