Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?

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2008-10-09 1:45 AM


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Subject: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?

Hello All,

 As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am training for my first sprint triathlon which is going to take place on November 8th in San Francisco. The swim is an open water swim in the bay which means both strong currents and cold water which i am not used to. My question is - how essential is it that I wear a wet suit for the swim? To be honest from a naive beginners point of view I feel like it will get in the way far more than it will help me.  I'd love to hear some thoughts from people who have experienced  this situation first hand.

Cheers,



2008-10-09 5:40 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
I swam your bay once, coming in from Alcatraz, and if I recall correctly, the temp was something like 52 degrees. For me, that temp makes a wetsuit essential, not optional. (Although there were many people who did it without.)

Remember, you need to jump on your bike and take off. If your body is too cold, you'll be shaking off the chills and trying to warm up when you start the bike. Hands may be stiff and trembling, head may be foggy, you'll have the jitters...doesn't sound good to me.

However, the best way to find out is to try it. Since you have the time, take a swim at that park with bay access near the Wharf District. You'll know soon enough if you need a wetsuit.

And don't worry about the current. The guys at the race meeting will tell you how to use it, and you'll probably end up having one of your best open water swims ever.
2008-10-09 5:41 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Sneaky Slow
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Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?

Wear the wetsuit. There is no decision for you to make here.

It is cold water, this is your first race, and as you eluded to in your other post, you are not a strong freestyle swimmer, in fact, I think you said you may just breaststroke the whole way. The wetsuit will make you more buoyant, which makes you faster in the water, to say nothing of how cold you will be if you swim in SF Bay without a wetsuit.

I've never done Alcatraz, but there must be someone around here who has, who can speak to this.

This is a no-brainer. Wear it.



Edited by newleaf 2008-10-09 5:42 AM
2008-10-09 7:08 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
From this (self-proclaimed) experience open water swimmer in the New England area who swims in lakes/ponds that were only thawed for a month, 55 °F is COLD.  Even low 60s is cold.  Wear the wetsuit.  And a neoprene skull cap if you have one, or at least, double cap. 
2008-10-09 8:56 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
The Bay is cold, but not unbearably so, if you are used to OWS. Last weekend the bay was 63 degrees, and will most likely be about the same in November. At the very least, you should wear a thermal cap.

If you have a chance, your best option is to practice in the bay before the race, and see how you feel. There are always swimmers at Aquatic Park in San Francisco. It's a protected area. Jump in and swim from one side to the other, following the shore. If you go along the buoys about 50 ft from the shore, from left to right, that's about 350 meters, which is a little less than the Treasure Island Sprint.

Personally, I've found that the first time I used a wet suit, it felt VERY strange, but after a swim or two, it does speed me up.
2008-10-09 11:40 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
If you are doing Treasure Island, I would go with a wetsuit unless you have a high tolerance for cold water. As far as the current there, I think it will be minimal, it is in a protected cove. It shouldn't be very choppy either.

2008-10-09 11:42 AM
in reply to: #1729575

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Expert
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SF Bay Area
Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
Another vote here for Aquatic Park, it is a good place to swim, there's always people out there swimming so you're never really alone. If you need lockers and showers, you can go to the Dolphin Club or South End Rowing Club (depending on the day of the week you go).

J
2008-10-09 12:26 PM
in reply to: #1729575

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Folsom, CA (Sacramento Area)
Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
I swam from Alcatraz in August and wore a wet suit for the first time in my life. I was wondering if it was a good idea becuase I am a fairly good swimmer (I did it in 47 minutes). I swam the night before the event in the bay with the wet suit ON for about 20 minutes and discovered that my feet, hands and face got Numbed very quickly. but the rest of my body was in good shape. During the event i experienced the same thing, feet hands and face were Numbed almost immediately and unconfortable for the first 25 minutes. During the second half, I started overheating to the point were I had to let water into the wet suit to cool me off.

My opinion:
-I highly recomend wearing a wetsuit
-If you are a very strong swimmer, you might me ok in the short race
-sleeveless wetsuit would be ok ( next time this is what I will wear)
-If you are a freak and can tolerate cold temps, you will be OK without one

Good luck
2008-10-09 2:40 PM
in reply to: #1729575

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
Wear the wetsuit and look at getting a neoprene cap.  If you're not a very strong swimmer, it will be a lot of help.  You'll want to try out the wetsuit before the race.  It's a little different to swim in than without a wetsuit.
2008-10-09 8:01 PM
in reply to: #1729575

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Master
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Lake Oswego, OR
Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?

I wore a wetsuit for the first time in an open water race this summer at Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. I was in bad shape but I am a swimmer so it wasn't an issue. I wouldn't get caught in a wetsuit in a group of OW swimmers, but I wouldn't get caught without one in a group of triathletes. I recommend you wear one unless you have substantial experience swimming in OW. Make sure it is a swimming wetsuit not a surfing or dive suit. I also think a neoprene cap is a good idea.

If you are doing the Treasure Island Sprint and you show up on November 8th, you'll have to hang around for a day. The race is Sunday November 9th. I'm doing the Olympic on Saturday.



Edited by E=H2O 2008-10-09 8:02 PM
2008-10-09 9:12 PM
in reply to: #1729575

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Master
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Lake Oswego, OR
Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?
There are a few used wetsuits for sale on this site in the classified section if you are looking for one.   :-)

2008-10-09 10:01 PM
in reply to: #1729575


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Subject: RE: Open Water Swim in November - wet suit opptional?

Thank you very much for your advice. A wet suit and training sessions at Aquatic Park are at on the top of my to do list! I really appreciate all of the advice!

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