Need wetsuit help

Hi, My name is Roxanne. I am a 41 yr old accountant

After being inspired by a friend last year, on Dec 23, 2003 I decided I was going to swim across the Churchill River. by Jan 1/04 I decided I would also do a 40km bike ride and 10km run at the same time. You have to realize - I am not an athlete, nor have I ever been. I never even knew what a triathlon was until late last fall.

I started swimming and cycling last summer (I learned to swim about 15 yrs ago and swam for about 1 yr) because i was going on a 200 mile wilderness river trip and figured it would be good to be able to swim and walk out if necessary. In summer (weather permitting) I cycle 20 km about 4-5 days a week and i swim 3 days a week slowly (64 laps in an hour on a GOOD day)
I have downloaded a 10 k Vancouver Sun Run program - but found it a bit too agressive - never quite recovered between run days - so i cut my time back to about 40min (3x per week). Budget meetings are also a good excuse to put off exercise plan.

Churchill, Manitoba is north of 56 parallel on the west shore of Hudson Bay. I have been told the avereage water temp is about 10 celsius (50F). I am concerned about the temp, current and tides. Unfortunately, the shortest distance (about 1 mile) is right at the mouth of the river.

I only know of 3 people that have swam across the river. The last guy rubbed his body in Tenderflake lard and wore 2 swim caps - he was so cold he was disoriented in the water and when he came out. I thought I would buy a triathlete wetsuit. I called a store in Wpg and the lady is concerned about the water temp and says I probably need a dive suit and a neoprene Hat. I am roughtly estimating I will be in the 10C water for about 1 hr

i will be emerging somewhere along the coast (not sure where i will end up because of river current and tide) so I may be crawling back to my bike along rocky, seaweed covered, and uneven bottom.

I know nothing about wet suits or triathlons for that matter.

what kind of wet suit should I get (triathlon or dive suit)
do you wear "booties" on your feet?
do you wear neoprene gloves?
and if not - don't the hands and feet get cold?

Will I look silly stopping for hot chocolate and trying to warm up before taking off on my bike?

Physically, I am not sure if i can do this, but i am going to try. I have no idea what condition I will be in once I emerge from the water - I might just curl into a little ball and go into hypothermic shock. All I know is that I have to do this on a slack tide preferably outgoing and that I will have a boat with me with 3 strong people that can haul my butt into the boat because if this is necessary, i will be unable to move because of cold.

I welcome any advice on swimming in open extremely cold water, tides, and currents

thanks

Tri-Beanie


ps - my friends think I am crazy!