Wearing a wetsuit up to 84 degrees - IM LOU

I did BSLT too, and with a full suit and I was over heating half way through the swim.  I was wishing I had a sleeveless!  That was just a horrible feeling and couldn't imagine wearing one in warmer water.   

In my most recent race (sprint distance), the water temp was 85...it felt fine at first, but after making the first turn it became a real PITA.  I couldn't imagine wearing a wetsuit in water temps in the 80's - potential for overheating seems way too high.

If I was worried about going under, I'd look at purchasing this:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=980

Believe me I want to wear a west suit if they let me in  any race longer than a sprint due to the help of the thickness of the noeprene to get my hips up.  But, after swimming at BSLT and experiencing my body over heating, I would recommend a wet suit without sleeves or a john bib suit.  The only reason I would say this is that I felt horrible for the first 10-15 miles on the bike.  I haven't used either, but I would think one wouldn't over heat as much? 

Good luck at IM LOU!

I did the Mountaineer HIM last weekend and the water temp was 75F. The pros could not wear wetsuits but the rest of us could.

I wore my 2 piece T1 (long sleeve top) and was getting pretty toasty by the end of the swim. I'm not sure that I can go the whole IM Louisville swim if the water is going to be any warmer than this wearing a full wetsuit. I might need to invest in the sleeveless top. I wonder how swimming in just the bibjohn would be? I have done it in the pool and it has not been bad.

I asked Emilio about swimming in just the bibjohn and here is what he said:

".....If it works or not depends on how snug the Bibjohn fits you.  I would recommend you test it in training first.  Many people, including me, have raced in just the Bibjohn quite successfully.  But I invented the Speedtube ..... specifically to be used in warm water races where wetsuits are permitted to keep you from overheating, but to still allow for the speed advantages of the float."

I have practiced a few times in just the bibjohn and it has worked okay. I am going to try a few longer swims in it soon.

Odds are that the IMLOU swim is going to be wetsuit legal anyway, that river (at least as far as I remember) is NEVER warm (of course someone could Google the average temp and prove me wrong). If it is over 78* I would STRONGLY recommend not wearing a wetsuit. If the OP is dead set on wearing one then I guess we should all wave to him in the Medical Tent as we pass.

Seriously, if you are that concerned about swimming 2.4 miles (approx 4400yds) without a wetsuit because you are concerned about drowning, then maybe you should a) spend more time in the pool or b) wait and do and IM race when you are trained properly to complete it safely.