I am doing my first ever Triathlon up in Santa Barbara on August 28th. It’s a sprint with a 500 yard swim, 6 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run. On the Santa Barbara Triathlon website, it says the water will be about 68 degrees or so on race day so I was wondering whether this was cold enough to warrant a wetsuit. I went to the beach the other day and was in water that was at a similar temperature and felt that it was quite cold but I didn’t try to do a competitive swim in it simply because I was with family friends and enjoying a day at the beach.
I can borrow a wetsuit from my friend’s dad who is a surfer, but I am not 100% sure whether it is legal to use in a triathlon race. I would buy a triathlon specific wetsuit but I am in college and don’t necessarily have a ton of money to throw around at the moment, especially after buying a new bike. I just don’t want to show up on race day and freeze to death in the water, nor do I want to show up and get disqualified for wearing an illegal wetsuit.
I’ll echo what everyone else has typed and tell you not to bother. A surf wetsuit will be more trouble that it’s worth and if you’re swimming as hard as you can, you won’t feel cold.
68 is on the the cold side. Not totally necessary to have a suit because you’ll likely only be in the water 10-15 min, but if you have the option I’d go for it. In the races I’ve done, I’ve seen people with non Tri wetsuits. They won’t have the same fit though…You want the thing to fit like an extra layer of skin basically. If budget is your concern…you should be able to find a servicable suit for $100-$200…ie, Xterra Vortex 3 w/coupon code.
On that short a swim you should be OK without a wetsuit. A triathlon wetsuit would be both warmer and faster; a surf wetsuit would be warmer and slower than just a swimsuit.
Thanks for the opinions guys. I figured I wouldn’t need one since I will only be in the water for a few minutes so I will probably do that. I may try some open water swims at the beach with and without the wetsuit and see what I feel the most comfortable in though.
Also, is there anything else that a beginner triathlete should know or bring for race day? I know a sprint isn’t that big of a deal, but I’m just deathly afraid that I will come unprepared.
I live in SB. The water temp right now is 62. It could be 68 by race day. It might stay 62. If the NW wind kicks up hard for a few days near race day it could go into the 50s (unlikely but possible).
Last year was unusually cold.
Almost everyone wears a wetsuit for the long course.
500 yards you should be fine even if it stays low 60s (just swim fast). Air temps in August are usually nice but there is always the possibility of fog/overcast.
If you get here and it’s really too cold for you there are wetsuit rentals available.
Call Hazard’s bike shop. They can help.
Your buddy’s surf suit (any wetsuit 5 mil or less thick) is legal. I wouldn’t wear a surf suit for a swim if I didn’t have too. Plus it’s been pissed in.
Thanks for the opinions guys. I figured I wouldn’t need one since I will only be in the water for a few minutes so I will probably do that. I may try some open water swims at the beach with and without the wetsuit and see what I feel the most comfortable in though.
Also, is there anything else that a beginner triathlete should know or bring for race day? I know a sprint isn’t that big of a deal, but I’m just deathly afraid that I will come unprepared.
Thanks for the opinions guys. I figured I wouldn’t need one since I will only be in the water for a few minutes so I will probably do that. I may try some open water swims at the beach with and without the wetsuit and see what I feel the most comfortable in though.
Also, is there anything else that a beginner triathlete should know or bring for race day? I know a sprint isn’t that big of a deal, but I’m just deathly afraid that I will come unprepared.
Relax and enjoy. Look at it this way, for a 500 yard swim, a 6 mile bike, and a 2 mile run, you could forget everything but your bike and still make it through and have a great time.
Warning: people like to complicate this, it’s just 3 things you started doing shortly after you learned to walk.
It might seem chilly when you get in but you will warm up quick and the swim will be over before your core temperature drops.If you still have some concern You might want to check with some local tri shops. Some offer rental or demo suits you could try without having to go all in buying a suit right away.
Also, is there anything else that a beginner triathlete should know?
Same thing I tell every beginner, remember to take your helmet off in T2… I speak from experince!
Is this you? LOL
sounds funny but…
in 2008 it was so cold during the Worlds Jr race that the kids hands were so cold they had difficulty taking their helmets off and some ran the 5k with them on…
I remember a duathlon in Colorado a few years back that was rainy and cold. Some people ended up doing the second run in helmets because they couldn’t get them off.
I find in sprints the time needed to take it off may negate any time savings, unless you are totally helpless without it, then I would say get some swim lessons. You should also learn to swim without a suit regardless so it’s less of a crutch and more of a “whoa I can fly with this on” when you do wear one, just my $0.02
