White Lake Spring Swim Advice

I wore a sleeveless wetsuit for the HIM on the first weekend last year.  I'm more warm natured than some people and I was ok with a sleeveless- totally comfortable.  But I know a few others were cold and wish they had a full wetsuit, so that all just depends on you.  I think for the most part athletes wear wetsuits if they are allowed- unless you don't have one or are a really good swimmer and don't see the need to wear one.  If the water temps are borderline some athletes don't bother wearing one if they are strong swimmers since they lose some time in T1 having to take it off.

I know that last year the 2nd weekend for the race was not wetsuit legal as the temps warmed up a bit after the first weekend.  I am not sure if your race will  be wetsuit legal or not- you probably won't know until close to the race date.

Definitely do some practice swims in your wetsuit before White Lake.  Make sure to do some OWS swims in it and not wear it in the pool.  Practice coming out of the water and being able to take it off quick/easy.  If it get stucks around your ankles you can apply some body glide there. Make sure to body glide your neck too- most wetsuits rub and will leave horrible chaffing there.  Just getting used to the feeling of wearing one is helpful- at first it will feel tight/constrictve but once you wear it enough you don't really notice that.

I'm not sure if any of this info is helpful, but I'd say that if you can wear a wetsuit for the race I'd go for it!

BTW you can check the temperature of the water at White Lake here:

 http://www.whitelakewatersports.com/

It is 65 degrees F this morning.

And keep in mind that the water temp at White Lake can rise (and fall) quickly (i.e., overnight) because it is so shallow. Last year it was wetsuit legal one day, and not the next because it was hot during that day and warm overnight. There were LOTS of disappointed people the day of the race being told no wetsuits. So just be prepared for anything on race day and you will be fine :-)

Hoping the forecast for Wednesday May 4th (high 67/low 45) holds true.  That may be just enough for the races next weekend to be wetsuit legal.