wetsuit question

They say a poor swimmer can gain 10 sec's per 100 mtr, it is less if you're proficiant in the water, but the energy you save wearing one vs not wearing one outweight's the time to take it off. mine comes of lickity split and i will never race without one if i have a choice.

If you practice taking it off you can do it in a few seconds.  If you swim below 1:30 per 100 yds it may not help you enough, but for the folks that swim 2:00 per thousand it is a no brainer. 

Water temp also has an effect on your performance too.  You'll use energy to just keep your core warm if the water is cold thus you'll be more drained after the swim.  So its not just the speed and buoyancy that a wetsuit provides, but less energy is needed to keep you warm.  Also, you'll have less 'shock' when you enter the water in a wet suit.

.... but the energy you save wearing one vs not wearing one outweight's the time to take it off......

 

I second that 100%.  My time isn't that much different with/without, but I saved so much energy floating in the water this way. 

Edited by tahrens 2008-09-30 2:26 PM