wetsuits

Yes it will be tons easier to get off when wet. Use trislide or body glide and go try it out in a lake or your pool before your race.

Tight is normal. After you swim in it a time or two figure out whether it's "too tight" or not. I put that in quotes because a wetsuit is supposed to be a sausage casing on you. I've heard the suggestion that if you can zip it up yourself, it's too big, that works with mine because I don't think there's a way I could possibly zip it up myself and I don't even notice I'm wearing it when I'm swimming.

^^^^^ agree.  I'll emphasize how helpful it was for me to use it in the pool before my first race.  If you can get into open water, even better.  If it takes you more than 30 seconds or so to get it off, then you should practice.  You could do that in the shower.

The neoprene in a wetsuit is kind of like a sponge - it's more flexible and 'stretchy' when it's wet. After long periods out of water it will become a little more stiff and feel tighter. Soak it in a tub or swim in it and it will loosen up a little bit.

When you are new to wetsuits they really feel tight, but once in the water they tend to feel better on you. Good luck!

Also, make sure that you pull it up far enough. The first time or two that you put one on, its easy to think you have it up high enough, but every 1/4 inch matters! If you have a lot of space in the crotch area...its not high enough and it wont fit right or "work" right (where there is air, will soon be water; more water = more water that you are pulling and sloshing around). Work it from the ankles up.

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All great advice above. The only thing I might add that is probably a no-brainer is go swimming with the suit before the race. It will help you get used to how its supposed to feel and hopefully ease your concerns a bit.

Thanks for all the replys.  I'm very glad to know it is just me being pathetic.
I am planning to try it in open water in the next couple of weeks or so - i live near the coast to I'm hoping to go and try the sea. 
And i'm going to have to invest in some body glide.
I'm off to check out youtube.
thanks again

Jennifer