Triathlon - Will a wetsuit really make a difference in a sprint?

I was looking at my transition times from my first race (not great) and a thought occured to me. I've been planning on renting a wetsuit for a race in May. The water will probably be okay to go without one. Everyone says it will make me faster, so I think, no question - go with the wetsuit. BUT... for a first-timer, how much time will I lose in T1 getting this thing off my body? I don't want to wind up gaining a couple of seconds in the swim, but losing 30 in the transition. FWIW, the open water swim distance is 750m.

I would let the water temp be your guide.

Another thing to consider is how good of a swimmer you are. If someone is a really horrible swimmer then the benefit for them will be greater than for someone who is already a great swimmer.

A wetsuit will always make a big difference in anything 750m or over. you'd be better off working on getting your wesuit of quicker in transition if your worried about time lost.

Cool trick to loosen up tight wetsuits that are hard to get off, go to a pool and do a couple of sessions. The chlorine/ozone will effect the rubbers elasticity and make it easier to get off.


Mark.

A wetsuit will always make a big difference in anything 750m or over. you'd be better off working on getting your wesuit of quicker in transition if your worried about time lost.

Cool trick to loosen up tight wetsuits that are hard to get off, go to a pool and do a couple of sessions. The chlorine/ozone will effect the rubbers elasticity and make it easier to get off.


Mark.


Okay, I was kind of leaning towards wetsuit anyway, since I've never used one before and would like to see how it feels to swim with one. With that settled, what are your preferences, full suit versus the sleeveless version?

Fullsleeve/sleeveless will depend on water temperature. I used a sleeveless on two sprint triathlons last year and i think the water temperature was in the 60s (just a guess, but it wasn't pleasant). While i was fine once i got going and my arms warmed up, a fullsleeve suit would have been nice. :) In fact, i just ordered one last week so i can have options. :lol:

I think the water temperature should be around the upper 60s to low 70s around here by May. Thanks for the advice. Another question for the wetsuit savvy, what do you do with the suit when you take it off? My experience from the first tri was that space in the transition area was limited. I know that I will be renting this suit, so I want to be careful with it. Do you fold it up? Roll it up? Stuff it in a bag of some sort? I'm totally in the dark on this one.

If you're comfortable swimming without a suit, and the water is warm enough, I would definitely go without. Not only do you save T1 time, but running to the transition area will be quicker without the extra weight and resistance. As far as what to do with it, I just ball it up and shove it out of the way. Plenty of time to clean and take care of it after the event.

Jim

If you do use one definitely practice getting out of it fast. Make every OW swim a de-suiting drill. That way you can avoid the clown parade :)

If your not sure about how much difference a wetsuit makes, try hiring one out.

Take it to the pool and do a set of 15 200's or something (or 100's). I can pretty much assure you (unless your a very quick swimmer) that you'll be going 10-15secs quicker per 100m for the same amount of effort.

So in a sprint... 750m at your normal pace, or swim with a wetsuit and save 1min 15 - 1min 52 minus whatever it takes you to get your wetsuit off, and the difference between running from the sea to transistion without a wetsuit, and running with one.

The time taken to get your wetsuit off and running with a wetsuit are both things that can be easily improved.

You decide. Good luck.

Mark.

If you have the cash, I vote for a wetsuit every time it's legal (<78 degrees water temp). The energy saved is immense and you'll shave at least 5-10 seconds per 100 yrds off your time, more if you're not a good swimmer. With liberal body glide application to your thighs, calves and feet the suit comes off within 10 seconds. As far as sleeves/sleeveless. Just look to the pro ranks(there all in full sleeved suits for a reason) and check your bank account. If you've got the dough, go for full sleeves.

when you get the suit, practice taking it off - i actually sacrifice all dignity after pulling the top down while running to t1: yank over hips, sit (yes, in mud or on tarmac), yank off legs, put on bike shoes (so sue me, i haven't mastered the running mount), stand. if you're too tall to make this at all feasible, hang onto the bike rack or whatever when yanking it off your legs. get bodyglide and read the other posts on it.

as for what to do with the suit- there's just enough space. i usually chuck it in a pile under the bike rack, behind my towel/shoe layout so i can still access that in t2. helmet, drink, grab bike, run. YMMV