My Second Tri is Coming (and it's a reverse tri with cold water)

The race will certainly favor those that don't try to don a wetsuit.  It would be nearly impossible at that point in a triathlon to put the wetsuit on anyway.  So you need to suck it up.

Yes, a cap helps a little.  You can try 2 caps actually.  Or find someone who owns a Neoprene cap and borrow it.  That would actually help dramatically.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.  I did my 2nd tri in October and it was a double sprint (swim/bike/run/swim/bike/run).  It was in Mission Bay in San Diego and the water was cold.  During the first portion I wore my wetsuit, but not for the second swim.  No one did---you couldn't really put on a wet wetsuit!  So I (and everyone else) just went into the water without a wetsuit for the second swim.  And you know what?  Amazingly, the water felt WARM!  Like bathwater.  I think it was because I was already overheated from the first bike and run.  I had done a practice the week before (swam in the bay with my wetsuit, got out, did a run, then went back in the water without the wetsuit) and it was fine then too.  So I know from experience that getting in cold water after a bike and swim is fine.  And with yours in a pool that is probably 20 degrees warmer than the bay was in October?  You'll be FINE!

Good luck!

Thanks sugarmagnolia70.  I'm familiar with Mission Bay (love that area of San Diego).  I like the neoprene cap idea JeffY, I'll look for one.

No time to don a wetsuit for a sprint tri.  No budget for a wetsuit either. 

It's only five laps, I can do this.  If anything I'll possibly swim faster 'cause I'll want out of that water.

yup, you'll be fine. 

Mesilla Valley Tri?

I am not a huge fan of cold water either. I did the Holloman AFB tri last October. Water was cold and it was a reverse tri as well. When I hit the water, I really didn't notice the cold.