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2007-07-13 8:17 PM

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Subject: Steelhead wetsuit question
has anyone done steelhead without a wetsuit? I have a shorty scuba diving wetsuit and I was thinking of just cutting the sleaves off for the race, thats what a friend recomended to me. any sugestions besides buying a tri specific wetsuit, I just told my wife that the registration for Ironman Louisville next month is $500 and Im sure everyone here can imagine her reaction. looks like my honey-do list just got a little bigger.


2007-07-14 7:29 AM
in reply to: #885597

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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
Hey Lucky,

I'm sure there are folks who have done Steelhead sans wetsuit, but the Lake Michigan water temps are highly variable depending on wind/current conditions. The lake can literally "flip" in just a few hours going from a balmy 70-something to the low 50's. This is typically the result of an east wind blowing all the warm water back out into the middle of the lake.

Personally, I would NOT roll the dice and not have a wetsuit available. Maybe you could borrow one? Can't remember the name offhand, but there is also a popular website that rents suits.

Look forward to seeing you all on August 4!
2007-07-14 1:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
What size are you? I have a 2xl neosprt sleeveless that I'm not using.
2007-07-14 4:31 PM
in reply to: #885597

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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
dude you do not want to swim in lake michigan without a wetsuit! burrrrr!!! Not shure how well a scuba suit would work. I did the race last year and it was not that cold but it would have been without a suit on.
I have a orca speed suit in a size 7. I am 5-9 160lb and it fits me fine. If you need it you can use it. I understand about your wife being upset because this sport can get real expensive.

let me know
2007-07-15 10:01 AM
in reply to: #885597

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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
Hi Lucky -
I'll be at Steelhead and also have an extra tri-specific wetsuit that you'd be more than welcome to borrow. I just treated myself to a Desoto T1
It's a sleeveless 2006 Blue Seventy Reaction Westuit in size large (the sleeveless version of this one: http://www.blueseventy.com/products/reaction.html#)
Just let me know - I'll be coming in from Chicago on Friday..... that would still give you time to try it out before the race!
2007-07-15 11:38 PM
in reply to: #885597

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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
altapdr, I sent you an email to your yahoo mail. thank you everyone for the offers, but I dont think that they will fit, I am about 5'10 180. there realy is a good community of great athletes here on this forum. when I started this post a few days ago, I was looking for advice on how to butcher a common wetsuit to fit the triathlets needs to endure a leisurely 1.2 mile swim in lake michigan in august. Insted I got 3 people within a day not offering advice but rather offering me thier 400 doller wetsuit to a complete stranger just because they are not using it that weekend. you just dont find this kind of generosity with most people, but then again most people think that running is just a waist of time, and to them, swimming and riding a bike for a great distance BEFORE you run is just plain crazy, and for those pursuing the 140.6 dream, well they may consider them plain stupid. It is in the pursuit of these kind of goals that define what kind of person you are, and I am greatly looking forward to meeting all the fellow BT's at steelhead this year and hopefuly meeting more at Ironman Louisville 2008
thank you everybody and good luck, Lucky


2007-07-16 9:24 AM
in reply to: #885597

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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
Just a question, why not rent a wetsuit.  Check out wetsuitrentals.com (I think thats the site).  Its less than $50 for the wetsuit rental.  might be the answer.
2007-07-16 9:27 AM
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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question

Last year, probably 10-20% of the swimmers did not wear a wetsuit

BUT

As others have said, the water can change quickly from 72 to 65 (or colder).  I picked up a used wetsuit for it last year as I didn't want to chance a 45 minute swim in 60'ish water. 

2007-07-16 9:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
Lucky 80, look on ebay for neosport tri wetsuits. I got my sleevelss one for about $80. They're no the coolest ones on the market but it worked well for me last year. Good luck to you.
2007-07-22 8:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Steelhead wetsuit question
Hey Lucky,

Are you in Michigan?

The bike ship in Fenton is Awesome, and he rents wetsuits for 35 bucks.

Send me a message and I will pass along his website if you are interested.

See you at Steelhead. (by the way, I rented one and ended up buying it from him)

Best,

Tom

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