Have a friend doing the race and she’s wondering. Any insights?
Yes and no…
Unless you are abnormally sensitive to cold during swimming (more than the average person) then you can do it without a wetsuit. Depending on the weather it may or may not be a comfy swim, but you won’t be in danger of hypothermia.
On the other hand, other than not having a wetsuit to start with, why would you not wear one?
I am pretty tough when it comes to weather conditions, and I do tri’s all summer and fall around the NE and I always wear a full wetsuit if the conditions/rules allow.