Okay so this past March, I was in a triathlon in North Carolina and the race director said that USAT rules require everyone to wear a wetsuit since the water temperature was under 60 degrees F. This was my third triathlon ever so I don't have a wetsuit (but I think maybe I should since so far I've been like one of like less than 5 people at all the early season races I've done without a wetsuit)...So after arguing with the director that 58 degrees was not that cold and telling him that I raced a tri in Vermont that had reportedly 51 degree water, he let me race wetsuit-less.

So my question is, does the USAT have a temperature rule requiring a wetsuit? I can only find temperature rules banning wetsuits above a certain temp but none requiring it.

Also how much do wetsuit really help? I remember when I did the Vermont tri, I was shivering for the first 1/4 of the bike course, so this obviously slowed me down. But, I have done one warm race in Myrtle Beach (not sure on the water temp but some people were worried that they wouldn't be allowed to use wetsuits so it was definitely warm). So how much is the benefit for speed without needing it for warmth?

90 speed and energy conservation/10 warmth