With AG’ers having the option of wearing wetsuits up to 84 degrees (no podium or slots) what is YOUR plan if the water falls between 78 and 84? Everyone is different but for me I am quite comfortable in a full wetsuit up to 80 degress no problem (come on its 2 degrees!). I even feel comfy up to 82 with sleeveless shorty. Above that, for myself it starts to become dimishing returns. I know this works for me so not looking for your advice, just wondering what works for you and what others plans are for Sunday given the temps are almost certain to be above 78.
Definitely would NOT use a wetsuit if water temp is >103. I'm a horribly slow swimmer, but my cutoff is not defined by me, but by race officials at 78. Do lots of people actually choose to wear wetsuits at the 78 - 84 temps?
I tend to get very warm in a wetsuit when the water is above 80, so I’ll probably not wear one. I was one of about 25 or so at IMW 05’ that didn’t wear one. It was about 95 that day with the water at about 78~80. We’ll get a good idea of what we want to do after the practice swims on Fri or Sat. It’s going to be fun! Good luck!
In order to keep the playing field equal…I am going to follow the USAT guidelines…not that I’m gunning for any spots or anything but I want a even comparison of my race to the rest of my peers…
On second thought, if it turns out that there is more than minimal current, I’ll be sporting a full wetsuit over a sleeveless, with a kickboard stuffed in there somehow too!
If the temp is in that range (and I have a feeling it probably will be) I plan to wear the bottom half of my two-piece DeSoto Black Pearl. I feel confident that I could do the swim without it but it gives me an added bit of confidence to wear it and I’m just doing this for myself…nothing else. I don’t think I would get too hot with just the bottoms on. Of course I plan to test this plan on Friday morning.
I think Ironman races often “fudge” that line of 78 degrees for age groupers a little and will make it wetsuit legal even if it is 79.
Because to many safety is more important than overheating.
My thought however is that if I can’t swim the distance without a wetsuit, maybe then I am not ready for an Ironman. So there is no way I would start with a wetsuit or wetsuit bottoms if it is announced that the race is not wetsuit legal.
I’m not gun’n for a slot so I will wear my sleeveless as long as I can get away with it. For me, its not a matter of not being able to do the distance w/o a wetsuit, its just more comfortable. I’ve swam in 84 degree water and did not have a problem with heat… I think the heat is going to be waiting for us out on the bike/run course.
Does anyone know what the water temp is now? I’m assuming it cooled off a little because of the rain, unless there hasn’t been any rain down that way. Is anyone else a little concerned about the scattered thunderstorms, I know how sporadic they are around that area…
There’s not the slightest chance I’d ever place in my age group. I’m a firm MOPer. That said, I’ll follow the 78 degree rule. However, I do like the added safety of a wetsuit.
Anything over 76F and I will not wear a wetsuit. Minimal benefit for me and the overheating factor is much more important than being able to “bob along”. I remember watching Tim DeBoom get fished out of a IM race after overheating. (I think it was NZL). The Louisville race will be hot enough. No need to dehydrate on the swim.
Bottom line: If you are attempting an IM race, you’d better not need a wetsuit to complete the swim. Wimps are not welcome !!
A couple days ago the water in sections of the Tennessee river was so hot (over 90 degrees in a 24 hour period) that the Browns Ferry Nuclear plant had to shut down a reactor because the water was too hot to cool down the reactor.
Just be aware, the pro go off at 6:50am, and no AG’er will be allowed in the water until after that, apparently. So, 10 minutes to get everyone in the water. You’ll be standing outside in your wetsuit a while, not floating in the water for 10-20 mins prior to start.
Why do you always have to try and bring everyone down? Next you are going to say they will not be handing out finishers t-shirts and at the finish line.
I would suggest considering the time you’ll be in the water as much as the temp. If I thought I’d be in the water 1:25 or more I’d seriously reconsider the suit even if they say we can wear them. 1:10 and below it doesn’t matter what the temp is as long as it’s legal.
Just be aware, the pro go off at 6:50am, and no AG’er will be allowed in the water until after that, apparently. So, 10 minutes to get everyone in the water. You’ll be standing outside in your wetsuit a while, not floating in the water for 10-20 mins prior to start.
Athlete guide says athletes will be called to the staging area at 6:30am (so may not mean get in the water then)
But I recall last time I did hawaii 2005 we were in the water when the pro’s started… So I’d think same goes here… Theres only about 38 pros in this race so they may put us in the water earlier.