Triathlon - Need some advice on open water swims...

First thing first, just finished my first tri (sprint). Overall, very pleased, and hooked. My next will be an open water swim (lake) in May. The race may or may not be wetsuit legal. I emailed the organizers and they said they would make the call on race day. Here's my real question: At what temp (water) is a USAT sanctioned swim wetsuit legal AND how cold can one typically stand the water to be if they don't use a wetsuit? I don't own one, I live in the South, and from what I hear this is the only race in the year where I might need one. I'm looking to rent, but would hate to do that and then not even be able to use it.

Rent the wet suit. It will make a big difference on your time.

USAT says "wetsuit legal" is up to and including 78F. That's pretty warm and I can't imagine a lake anywhere in the USA being over that temperature in May. But I could be wrong about that.

For your other question, it all depends on you, but most people can easily handle water down to 65F without a wetsuit. Especially for a short race.

Knees, Elbows, Biting, Head-butts.... Get ready man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk

I rented for my first OW, didn't feel like I needed it, and swam without it. Just rent it for backup.

Throw in some punches and a few kicks here and there as well RP

Thanks for the um, er, encouragement? On the bright side, I do have a martial arts background :)

No doubt, just stick to the back for your first one, then as you get more confident in your OW swimming move your way up.

Whats the estimated water temp? I'm in Dallas so its pretty warm here but my first OW this year is in late April and it will still be chilly. Did one last year in early May too. Just went without a wetsuit and was fine. If it is the only race you may need a wetsuit, I'd rather go without rather than swimming in something new I really haven't practiced much with.

Where do you rent a wetsuit?

http://www.wetsuitrentals.com/

Local bike shop here also rents Quintana Roo wetsuits. I have heard that some dive shops do too. Just make sure they are triathlon specific suits, not scuba.

YouTube video's a riot...gotta keep that one. Thanks for a good laugh outloud!

I like the stay to the back method. Let the pack go. You will still have enought to contend with like passing slower swimmers and, depending on the start order, later waves of swimmers passing you. It is a dog fight out there. Plan on swimming up onto someone and being swum up onto, punches, kicks and getting your goggles kicked or pulled off at some point in the swim. Other than that it's a piece of cake!!

I would also say not just starting at the back, but back and to the side. My wife started at the back dead in the middle once. She spent more time trying to weave through traffic. Sometimes the outside is a bit longer but never much and if you don't have to contend with as many people it's much easier to concentrate on swimming.

I like the stay to the back method. Let the pack go. You will still have enought to contend with like passing slower swimmers and, depending on the start order, later waves of swimmers passing you. It is a dog fight out there. Plan on swimming up onto someone and being swum up onto, punches, kicks and getting your goggles kicked or pulled off at some point in the swim. Other than that it's a piece of cake!!

To say that I am not a great swimmer would be an understatement. I try to swim on the side and in the back--but when I did my first big olympic triathlon there were wave starts. So as I thrashed along, comfortably behind the middle of my pack, I was just getting my rhythm when the 25-30 women's group came from behind and swam over me. Normally this would be a good thing, but after the 3rd green capped wetsuited amazon kicked me in the head, I knew that the swim was shot for that day.

For my overall comfort in Triathlons a good tri wet suit did wonders, I had swam my first Sprint in a shorty 3 mil. Everytime I would reach into stroke, ice cold water in the pits, and I could feel the back billowing.
Best of luck
a.c.

Normally this would be a good thing, but after the 3rd green capped wetsuited amazon kicked me in the head, I knew that the swim was shot for that day.

Funny