How much time does a wet suit save you?

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2008-08-17 4:26 PM

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Subject: How much time does a wet suit save you?
I was looking at race results from the race I did this morning. I found that for T1 and T2, I had one of the fastest transition times overall (something that I am quite proud of). I'm sure for T1 that may have been due in part to my not having to deal with a wet suit. So my question is, how much faster are you in the swim portion of a race if you wear a wet suit versus not wearing on. Further, how much time does having to deal with a wet suit add to your transition time?

2008-08-17 4:30 PM
in reply to: #1608933

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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?
I finished my first oly yesterday and based on my times in the pool I figured the best I would do for 1500 meters was 28 minutes.  With the wetsuit and elimination of the turns in the pool I did 25:11.
2008-08-17 4:45 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?
Openwater swimming is always slower than pool swimming, no matter how much you may think the turns slow you down, the push off from the wall more than makes up for it. That's not even considering battling other swimmers, wakes from safety boats on the water (or recreation craft) and getting off course.
You can certainly thank the wetsuit for speeding you up, but not the open water.
2008-08-17 5:26 PM
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2008-08-17 5:39 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?
JeepFleeb - 2008-08-17 5:26 PM

It all depends on how good a swimmer you are to begin with.  The better the swimmer, the less benefit you'll see.  My coach is actually slower in a wetsuit than without, but he was an Olympic swimmer.  The number I've heard most often from your average triathlete is in the :10/100m range.

The difference in T1.... again, it all depends on how good you are at transitions and how effeciently you can get your wetsuit off.  If the race has wetsuit strippers then you've got almost no reason to not wear one (weather permitting).



Yep.
2008-08-17 6:08 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?
I did some 100s in the pool with and without and I was 6 seconds faster just wearing the bib johns of my wetsuit. I'm a slow swimmer, but can easily take off my wetsuit quickly...often having fastest or close to fastest T1 time in my AG.

2008-08-17 7:53 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?
In a pool, a wetsuit shaves about 10s/100m off my time. I figure that it takes me an extra 30 sec to take off the wetsuit. So, it is worth the hassel.

That being said, my race times - OWS + wetsuit + exiting from the water = my pool swims (no wet suit). So, if I can swim 4k in an hour in a pool - I should be able to do that in a race with a wet suit.

Cheers.
2008-08-17 8:17 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?

Since I'm mainly a sprint racer, I'm sure my time savings in the water vs. time lost in T1 is pretty much a wash. But that's okay, because I also know that I'm much warmer getting on the bike, and I'm making up more time then, and will feel better later, because I'm not taking up part of the bike leg to warm up from frigid temps.

So I really don't care that a wetsuit makes me faster in the water (it does) or causes me to be slower in T1 (it does), I'm faster immediately on the bike than when I don't wear the wetsuit.

2008-08-17 9:45 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?

paddle2paddle - 2008-08-17 4:26 PM I was looking at race results from the race I did this morning. I found that for T1 and T2, I had one of the fastest transition times overall (something that I am quite proud of).

That's great and you should be proud of this.  It's free speed, man!

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paddle2paddle - 2008-08-17 4:26 PM So my question is, how much faster are you in the swim portion of a race if you wear a wet suit versus not wearing on.

One things that I've noticed about wearing a suit is that I am noticeably less tired after swimming 800 or more meters in open water with a full suit than when I have practiced the same route with no suit.  So - My times were better (slightly) with a full suit and more importantly, I’m less fatigued and winded and my heart rate feels lower.   

I know this is anecdotal and your mileage may vary, but I seriously doubt it.  Laughing

After all -  do you see many pros not wear a wetsuit when its allowed in an IM?  In a shorter race like a sprint or Olympic – sure, I can understand why some great swimmers might opt out, but not in a longer race.  Speaking of pro’s and wetsuits, are there any pros today who opt to wear a longjohn vs. a full wetsuit in an IM?  I think a full wetsuit when allowed is the way to go.

paddle2paddle - 2008-08-17 4:26 PMFurther, how much time does having to deal with a wet suit add to your transition time?

10-15 seconds in T1 if I practice before a race - and I've seen faster people.

 

 

2008-08-17 9:51 PM
in reply to: #1608933

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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?

Thanks for the info.  I just competed in a half mile OWS and came in 5th in the wetsuit division.  The fastest swimmer in my age group was more than 3 minutes behind me.  I have been curious whether I would have beaten her if I hadn't worn the wetsuit (that disqualified me from Age Group awards).  It seems that I would have. 

It is something to consider for the next time I do that swim. 

2008-08-17 10:01 PM
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Subject: RE: How much time does a wet suit save you?

paddle2paddle - 2008-08-17 6:26 PM

I was looking at race results from the race I did this morning. I found that for T1 and T2, I had one of the fastest transition times overall (something that I am quite proud of). I'm sure for T1 that may have been due in part to my not having to deal with a wet suit. So my question is, how much faster are you in the swim portion of a race if you wear a wet suit versus not wearing on. Further, how much time does having to deal with a wet suit add to your transition time?

Great work with the transitions!  As far as the added time in transition, a wetsuit should add no more than 5-10" if you practice if before the race.

Shane

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