Okay here are a bunch of questions for anyone, sorry some might be basic or hard to answer but try to help, thanks:
First, I guess how much do you think a wetsuit helps? I race Olympic Distance and Halfs right now, but my main focus is on the longer stuff. How much would a wetsuit help in these races? I have seen the wetsuit info on Tom’s page and do people see that kind of differeance in times? (http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/wetsuit.shtml)
Second, is it worth spending the money for the wetsuit? I end up losing most races by a couple of minutes, usually mostly in the bike and swim. I know I can build both these areas up, but will the wetsuit be worth it. Most of the time I can make up a good couple of minutes on the run, but if I lose like 3 on the swim and 2 on the bike I am done for.
Third, what wetsuit would you guys recommend? There are so many brands and then so many styles beyond on that, I really dont know where to start.
Most of my racing now is in Michigan, but I am moving to Colorado in July and will be there for at least 2 years. I know I will be doing a half in Boulder in August and they say the water is 70-72 that time of year so I think I will be able to use the suit a lot.
I don’t know anyone who has seen that kind of time difference( 30 sec/100 yds) with a suit but most people see some difference. You’re only losing by a couple of minutes, every little bit helps. what are your splits typically?
it all depends on how great a of a swimmer you are without a wetsuit. Believe what you read, for most average to slower swimmers they will take off a couple minutes minimum in an olympic and proportionately more in a longer race. If you are already swimming 20min or so for an olympic (pretty damn fast) you won’t see as much time savings but you’ll probably still be faster.
Of course you’ll need a suit that fits well or you’ll be like me taking the damn suit off 200m into the swim and carrying it to a new personal worst swim. I would have dropped out of that one but I’d flown all the way from HI to CA so there was no turning back.
I love my Quintana Superfull-great shoulder flexibility, the Aquaman’s are awesome and quick on and off. But you really need to try them on. Maybe check out Tom’s place as he seems to have a great stock.
Wetsuits are faster by about 5-10%. Maybe more if you are slower. I swim pretty well for a triathlete - top 5% or so and it helps me in the pool just a tad under 10%. My friends get similar results. My guess is about 2 min for an oly and close to 3 for a half IM.
The only thing in my opinion that matters is fit - its gotta fit well. I doubt anything else matters. Sleeved vs. sleeveless is the same for me - so I’d recommend going with whatever fits the expected water temp…
If I swim in Santa Cruz/Monterey/SF Bay - 55-60 degrees - I’ll go with a full - if its warmer - I’ll go sleeveless.
If you go with sleeved suits - the flexibility in the arms is more important so nicer suits/nicer rubber would be better. Sleeveless is less important - just make sure water does not enter the suit.
Try and find a place that will let you try them on and swim in them…
I’m a pretty good swimmer too and I noticed a big difference after getting one, perhaps not necessarily in speed (there was), but in energy savings for the bike and run. The bouyancy benefits of the wetsuit are the greatest. No fighting gravity- you float. Envision yourself paddling on a surfboard- you could go all day without really getting tired, right? Same idea, but eventually you will get tired swimming in a wetsuit, but not nearly as fast as swimming in your own skin. You will notice energy coming out of the water that you otherwise would not have had if you did not wear a wetsuit. Getting them off is easy. When coming out of the water, unzip and pull it off your shoulders to run up to the bikes and slip legs out when you’re there. Easy.
I bought the cheapest suit I could find. Orca Speedsuit for $179 new. I really like it and it seems to work. I don’t think you need an expensive suit to reap the rewards, but make sure it fits. If you go orca, go a full size up in weight to get a proper fit. Good luck.
For those who are tired, or slower, I suspect fit was the problem, or perhaps not practicing in it because it does slightly change the way you have to swim. More coasting involved.
I’ve got some papers that have been written on the effects if anyone wants some bed time reading. Send me a mail (robertewilkinson@yahoo.co.uk) if you want them.
Nick - shame you aren’t in the UK. We have a company here called SNUG, and their triathlon wetsuits are fantastic, esp the top of the range which is custom fit. They took 25+ measurements and made mine to fit. I’m from a swimming background and prefer to swim without a wetsuit, but here in the UK it isn’t possible, unless you want brass monkies!!! So I wanted one that fit snuggly (excuse the pun)