I signed up to do the Strawberry Fields Tri, which will be my first. Water temperature will be in the high 50s. It's a 440 yard ocean swim. I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a wetsuit, but I don't want to be too cold either. A lot of people are selling used surfer's wetsuits around here. Would they be OK to swim in, or am I better off just toughing it out for 15 minutes? (I've got a thick cap, and possibly a paddling shirt.)
I signed up to do the Strawberry Fields Tri, which will be my first. Water temperature will be in the high 50s. It's a 440 yard ocean swim. I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a wetsuit, but I don't want to be too cold either. A lot of people are selling used surfer's wetsuits around here. Would they be OK to swim in, or am I better off just toughing it out for 15 minutes? (I've got a thick cap, and possibly a paddling shirt.)
Thanks, Tim
Hi, I have had both wetsuits. The difference in price between my new tri wetsuit and the other was only $100, but it is worth every penny.
I started off doing short tri's and thought I would save the money, but it is so worth the extra money to get a tri suit because there is much less drag, less water absorbed, it allows your arms to move like a swimmer so you don't get a sore back or shoulders or neck, and I am much faster which is fun. Life is so much better!
I signed up to do the Strawberry Fields Tri, which will be my first. Water temperature will be in the high 50s. It's a 440 yard ocean swim. I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a wetsuit, but I don't want to be too cold either. A lot of people are selling used surfer's wetsuits around here. Would they be OK to swim in, or am I better off just toughing it out for 15 minutes? (I've got a thick cap, and possibly a paddling shirt.)
Thanks, Tim
Hi, I have had both wetsuits. The difference in price between my new tri wetsuit and the other was only $100, but it is worth every penny.
I started off doing short tri's and thought I would save the money, but it is so worth the extra money to get a tri suit because there is much less drag, less water absorbed, it allows your arms to move like a swimmer so you don't get a sore back or shoulders or neck, and I am much faster which is fun. Life is so much better!
Agreed, tri suits definitely quicker if you end up liking the sport. But if it's your first event then I guess you're not trying to break any records anyway and 440 yards isn't that far. Worth checking if wetsuits are compulsory - at this temperature for an ocean swim they may well be.
If you can get a cheap secondhand surf wetsuit it's still going to be quicker (and a lot warmer) than going without and over that distance the padding around the shoulders shouldn't tire you out too much. Then if you like the sport enough you can probably sell on the wetsuit for the same you paid for it and invest in a proper tri wetsuit
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:h3lwf.7337$JT.6538@fed1read06...
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I signed up to do the Strawberry Fields Tri, which will be my first. Water temperature will be in the high 50s. It's a 440 yard ocean swim. I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a wetsuit, but I don't want to be too cold either. A lot of people are selling used surfer's wetsuits around here. Would they be OK to swim in, or am I better off just toughing it out for 15 minutes? (I've got a thick cap, and possibly a paddling shirt.)
If there are any tri-specific stores around your area, chances are they rent wetsuits. Always a good alternative if you just want to make sure you enjoy the sport before going out and spending gobs of money on it. 😉 Mark
Agreed, tri suits definitely quicker if you end up liking the sport. But if it's your first event then I guess you're not trying to break any records anyway and 440 yards isn't that far.
Agreed. If you're just trying out the sport, the surf wetsuit will be fine for a 1/4-mile swim. I did my first tri on a borrowed touring bike with a bent crank.
--Harold Buck
"Hubris always wins in the end. The Greeks taught us that."
Thanks for everybody's advice. I'm going to try and find a used surf suit and use that. I really don't want to spend the cash for a new suit right now. Renting sounds like an interesting option, but I'd like to practice swimming in the suit several times before the event, so that would add up quickly. (I've only recently started more than just a lap or two. I want to feel as comfortable as possible in the water on race day. Hopefully that'll translate into a reasonable performance.)
Thanks for everybody's advice. I'm going to try and find a used surf suit and use that. I really don't want to spend the cash for a new suit right now. Renting sounds like an interesting option, but I'd like to practice swimming in the suit several times before the event, so that would add up quickly.
Swimming in it isn't something you really need to practice that much (at least for a good tri suit). Getting the damn thing off in transition is another matter. . . .
--Harold Buck
"Hubris always wins in the end. The Greeks taught us that."
I used to rent a suit at "Fleet Feet" where each rental would give you credit if you decided to puchase a suit. Also, some tri clubs will have spare suits on hand for you to practice in. I wouldn't get a surf suit. Since I have both (as an avid surfer and triathlete) they are so different. A used surf suit is really going to inhibit your stroke and reach because it is too thick. One more thing regarding renting, they usually let you rent for the weekend for a pretty nominal fee which gives you a few practice runs.
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I used to rent a suit at "Fleet Feet" where each rental would give you credit if you decided to puchase a suit. Also, some tri clubs will have spare suits on hand for you to practice in. I wouldn't get a surf suit. Since I have both (as an avid surfer and triathlete) they are so different. A used surf suit is really going to inhibit your stroke and reach because it is too thick. One more thing regarding renting, they usually let you rent for the weekend for a pretty nominal fee which gives you a few practice runs.
Were you planning to get the full-sleeved version which claims to be suitable for all water activities or the sleeveless, triathlon-specific one? Latter looks fine, would be slightly wary of the former unless you can only justify buying one suit and need it for multiple sports.
Quoted message said:
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I used to rent a suit at "Fleet Feet" where each rental would give you credit if you decided to puchase a suit. Also, some tri clubs will have spare suits on hand for you to practice in. I wouldn't get a surf suit. Since I have both (as an avid surfer and triathlete) they are so different. A used surf suit is really going to inhibit your stroke and reach because it is too thick. One more thing regarding renting, they usually let you rent for the weekend for a pretty nominal fee which gives you a few practice runs.
Tim, not sure about the USA, but in the UK lots of Tri shops rent wetsuits for events by a mail out service. You get a wetsuit that is usually that years model, possibly never worn, you can have it for a week before the event to try out and the day after the event you mail it back.
If you really like the wetsuit you can often deduct the rental cost from the price of the wetsuit and send a cheque for the balance back and keep the suit.
Does anyone on RST know of tri wetsuit rental in the US?
Tim, not sure about the USA, but in the UK lots of Tri shops rent wetsuits for events by a mail out service. You get a wetsuit that is usually that years model, possibly never worn, you can have it for a week before the event to try out and the day after the event you mail it back.
I appreciate the continued discussion, but I just got a used surf suit because somebody was selling one that's exactly my size. It only cost $50, so in the worst case I'm out $50 but still have a wetsuit I can use when snorkelling. I really didn't want to spend much more than that. I already got tri shorts, entry fee, and goggles all for this race.
Thanks again, and I'll probably be back with some bike transition questions later.
