Hi All
So I just got a new wetsuit in preparation for the Gold Coast HIM (2XU Elite - hopefully I’ll get to use it!).
Having never swam in a wetsuit before, I was wondering how much practice I should allow before my race?
Also, all of my swimming is done in the pool - I assume that as long as I rinse it off, the chlorine won’t be a problem?
Thanks!
Make sure to get in at least one long swim in it. And don’t do it too close to your race.
You want to find any hotspots where the wetsuit might chafe (back of neck, under arms, etc.). This way you know where to apply bodyglide on race day.
If you do it a couple days before the race, and you chafe up pretty bad, you might have to race all chafed up. So make sure to try it out long enough beforehand (a week should be fine).
One or two swims in the pool shouldn’t destroy the suit, but make sure to rinse it off really well afterward.
If you can, I would practice swimming in open water with it; but if not, just do a long set in the pool. You want to know how it will feel toward the end of the swim when you get more tired and your stroke technique breaks down a bit.
Good luck in your race!
Xterra voids their warranty if you take your wetsuit into the pool—not sure how that works since once session won’t kill your wetsuit. But yes, rinse it off right away. If you have not other choice, you have to do a few laps in the pool just to see how it feels and to determine whether it actually fits.
Logging a couple of pool swims in a wetsuit is not a problem, but they are not designed for daily use in a pool. Also, you may get some leakage in the suit from pushoffs that won’t really be an issue in open water.
Thanks guys. Looks like pool swimming is the go…
Btw - where are the usual chaffing spots? And from the sounds of things bodyglide is best product to avoid chaffing?
Thanks guys. Looks like pool swimming is the go…
Btw - where are the usual chaffing spots? And from the sounds of things bodyglide is best product to avoid chaffing?
Depends on the person, but for me, the worst chafing occurs on the back of my neck. Right at the top of the zipper. Others have problems all around the neckline, not just on the back. Some people have problems around their shoulders and underarms. Really depends on how the suit fits you.
Stick with bodyglide for anti-chafing. It won’t ruin the suit material, and some companies will void the warranty if you use other products which could harm the material.
You definately want to get in the water with that suit, you will probably swim differently with all the boyancy and will want to figure that out. As for body glide, I do shoulders and groin area and ankles (to make removal at T1 easier).
Thanks guys. Looks like pool swimming is the go…
Btw - where are the usual chaffing spots? And from the sounds of things bodyglide is best product to avoid chaffing?
Usual chafing spots are Neck (use lots of bodyglide here…you never hear someone complain that they used too much), shoulders, and underarms (including the triceps). Pam or bodyglide on the outside of the ankles and wrists to help the suit slide over itself when pulling it off (this is for T1 speed, not chafing).
Prior to using the suit be sure to soak it in the bathtub for about 20 min. then let it dry. This will make the new suit more supple. It’s good to do that at the beginning of each season as well. Another benefit is that it could reduce the amount of chlorinated water that gets absorbed.