Triathlon - Wetsuits at $1 per meter

I know wetsuits can be had for less, but I know a lot of them run north of $400. We did a sprint tri yesterday and as I looked around before the swim, ALMOST EVERYBODY was wearing a wetsuit, there were maybe 5 people without them, myself included. The water was cold, after a colder than normal May and lots of rain. My wife said, "maybe we should get wetsuits," and I was like "For 400 meters in the water!?!?!? NO WAY!" It's not that I'm cheap, heck, I've got a tri bike that ran more than $4k, it just seemed ridiculous that everybody had wetsuits for a sprint tri...
What have you folks experienced?

you can always rent a wetsuit, if you like it that much then go out and buy one after that.

Talewinds,

Your thinking is much like mine. Besides the cost though, if I'm no better getting out of a wetsuit than I am getting in and out of my shoes and bike gear, I will just lose time!:rolleyes: I am going to do two Oly tris in June without a wet suit.

But, I am planning doing a half-ironman at the Redman in September. I think I am going to treat myself to a full wetsuit for that. I am a reasonably strong swimmer and look forward to the extra advantage the suit will give on the mile+ swim. BTW, if you are new to the forum there is a months old thread about the full verses half suit. The general consensus was to get the full if speed is any issue at all.

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

I'm a big fan of the wetsuit. Until you've used one you don't know what you're missing. I feel the expended energy is about 20% less with a wet suit on than without. This equals more energy to use up in later stages. You do not have to focus any energy at all to float so all your energy can be put into propulsion. Plus, in cold water, saving the wasted energy from gasping through the first 200 meters is worth it to me. The downside, besides cost, is that even in a best case scenario in T1 it does add on at least 20-30 seconds. You can shave that time off with liberal application of body glide over shoulders, hips, thighs and calves so that it slides off easily. Overall, for a sprint distance, it probably shaves a little less than a minute if you're a quality swimmer, more if you're a flounderer and waste energy trying to stay in a streamlined position. Finally, cost. Unless it's really cold (<60 degree water) a long john style or sleeveless style is more than adequate for 1/2 the price of a full suit. I have a QR ultrajohn (~$180 on sale) that I love. Good luck and good swimming.

I usually come out of the water at the front of the midddle pack without a suit. With a wetsuit(Blue Seventy Longjohn), I am touching the toes of the front of pack guys. I dropped 2 minutes off my 750m time with my suit. Once I hit the beach, I pull my top down to my waist. Once I get about 5' from my bike, I start sliding it down. By the time I get to my bike, it's at my ankles and easily pulled off. A T1 with wesuit is on average 10 seconds longer for me personally, whch nets me a time savings of 1:50 on the swim alone, not to mention the energy saved. You've got to practice, but it will save time. I've never even heard of a 400m swim leg of a tri, much less swam one, but it does seem awful short to be wearing a full suit. Like kt said, a longjohn will be your best bet for short course.
I only go to a fullsuit at a cold OLY or a normal 1/2 or more.

Dear Tailwinds:
I am not a great swimmer, but even in Olympic distances I really get cold, and since the bike is my best leg, I am really frustrated when I am still dragging 6 miles into the bike because I'm so cold from the swim. Since I got a wetsuit, it has been much better. If the cold doesn't bother you, can always rough it out, the T 1 is quicker without it.
One mistake to avoid (I know because I did it) don't use a scuba wet suit or shorty. They are not for swimming and the shorty had so much water flowing through--it was like a cold parachute!

a.c.