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swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit?
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 2009-09-19 12:05 PM |
 2 |  Subject: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit?I am really nervous about competing in a tri in Seattle tomorrow with no wetsuit. I trained with no wetsuit, have never worn one before, but everyone in the lake seems to have one this month. It is only 1/2 mile swim, is it okay to go without a wetsuit? Would a wetsuit be more work at this point? I have competed in several tris in August in Seattle sans wetsuit, no problem... |
| 2009-09-19 12:12 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Bob 2194    Binghamton, NY | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? jentrisseattle - 2009-09-19 1:05 PM I am really nervous about competing in a tri in Seattle tomorrow with no wetsuit. I trained with no wetsuit, have never worn one before, but everyone in the lake seems to have one this month. It is only 1/2 mile swim, is it okay to go without a wetsuit? Would a wetsuit be more work at this point? I have competed in several tris in August in Seattle sans wetsuit, no problem... If you are used to training in no wetsuit it won't be a problem. I will go down to about 64 degrees without a wetsuit and after the initial chill I'm pretty comfortable. If you are able to, try to get in for a short warm-up beforehand. When you get back in the water won't feel nearly as cold. Mind games!  |
| 2009-09-19 12:13 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Member 1748  Exton, PA | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Don't worry about it, I just did a half iron in 68 degree water last week with no wet suit. It's a little cool at first thats all. I've swam in down to 55 degrees without a wetsuit, without problems. Besides you did'nt train in one so don't try it the first time in an event. Go have fun! |
| 2009-09-19 12:19 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Expert 838 West Palm Beach, FL | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? You'd have to train for it. My OWS are in the 80s. I'd drop dead in 66 degree water. |
| 2009-09-19 12:24 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Master 1325 Lake Oswego, OR | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Some people find 66 degrees a bit cool. I don't think water is cold until it drops to 60 or less. However the rule in a triathlon is if they allow wetsuits you should wear one. People generally say that you should try swimming with one at least once before a race. If you are a strong swimmer with a cool head you can probably wear one for the first time in a race. |
| 2009-09-19 12:31 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
| Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Everyone is different. Some can't stand 66 degree water, I did a 1.25 mile race in 64 degrees, it was cold getting in but not bad after a while. Depends what you are used to. However, if you have trained without one and never used on, tomorrow is not the time to start. You will be afine. A little cold, maybe, but so what. Swimming in a wetsuit is much different than swimming without, and learning in training is much better than learning in a race. Make sure you get in early and gt acclimated to the water so you don't get the "shock" that will constrict your breathing. |
| 2009-09-19 1:03 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
| 2 | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Thank you all for your responses. I feel much better knowing I am not alone in the cold water! |
| 2009-09-19 2:15 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Veteran 274 Everett, WA | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. If you've practiced in the lake without a wetsuit, you'll do fine. I live near Seattle and I've been at 2 Olympic triathlons this summer where I was one of the only ones without a wetsuit and I didn't think the water was all that cold. I've also done two OWS races without a wetsuit, one in the rain, and the water temperature wasn't an issue. I'll be there in the morning, just swimming a leg on a relay with my relatives. No wetsuit & (hopefully) no rain. |
| 2009-09-19 2:37 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Champion 5376 PA | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? I wouldn't go without the wetsuit but I don't like cold water. If I tried to do it, I would be sure to get in the water 20 min early and swim to get myself plenty warmed up and used to the water. At my last tri, as the cold water started slipping into my wetsuit it made me gasp for air because I didn't properly get used to the water. |
| 2009-09-19 2:57 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Veteran 186 Virginia Beach | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? I did an Oly last year with water temps at 64 and no suit. It was cold at the start but fine afterwards. Just try to get used to the water a few minutes before and you'll do great. |
| 2009-09-19 3:38 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Champion 5782 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? I've done a half mile in 56F water once with no suit...no fun, but you do get "warmed up" to it. 66 degrees is right on the borderline of comfortable. |
| 2009-09-19 8:36 PM in reply to: #2415315 |
Master 1572 PA | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? burkesj - 2009-09-19 3:57 PM Just try to get used to the water a few minutes before and you'll do great. x2. I think this is key in cold water. If you've got the opportunity to get in a few mins early, do it! Get your face under too. |
| 2009-09-20 12:09 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Expert 1046 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: NO WAY ! RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Sorry ... just my opinion. Gotta disagree. 66 is not too cold for swim au naturelle, but will be better, faster, safer (buoyancy), and more comfortable in a wetsuit. If I did not have a wetsuit for 70 degress, I would swim without one. For 66 degrees, I'd rent one. Here's the test: How many other people will be without a wetsuit for this race? Less than 5 percent, I'd bet. And maybe less than 5. ****Plus, you are gonna be standing around in the swim pen before the race.... do you really want to do this AFTER you've "jumped in, and warmed up, and ducked your head under?!" **** On a cool morning, that could get really cold. This is a no brainer to me ... you guys still think no wetsuit is OK? |
| 2009-09-20 12:12 PM in reply to: #2415171 |
Expert 1046 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Whoops, I just noticed that this race is probably going on right now! Oh well. Hey, Jen... congrats on finishing! Whoooohooooo!. How did it go? Did no neoprene work out OK? |
| 2009-09-20 4:17 PM in reply to: #2416144 |
Veteran 274 Everett, WA | Subject: RE: NO WAY ! RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? jsselle - 2009-09-20 10:09 AM Sorry ... just my opinion. Gotta disagree. 66 is not too cold for swim au naturelle, but will be better, faster, safer (buoyancy), and more comfortable in a wetsuit. If I did not have a wetsuit for 70 degress, I would swim without one. For 66 degrees, I'd rent one. Here's the test: How many other people will be without a wetsuit for this race? Less than 5 percent, I'd bet. And maybe less than 5. ****Plus, you are gonna be standing around in the swim pen before the race.... do you really want to do this AFTER you've "jumped in, and warmed up, and ducked your head under?!" **** On a cool morning, that could get really cold. This is a no brainer to me ... you guys still think no wetsuit is OK? Did it and thrived, not just survived. Air temp was under 60 degrees, water was 66-68 degrees. Welcome to the West (Best) Coast, Maryland |
| 2009-09-21 8:14 AM in reply to: #2415171 |
Expert 1046 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Well, that's the difference between writing about it, and doing it! Nice job. My little brother out in San Diego, surfing bareskin in 66F said same thing. All that talk about latte-sipping left-coasters is just us Marylanders talking tough, I guess. Nice job. |
| 2009-09-21 8:34 AM in reply to: #2416353 |
Pro 6767 the Alabama part of Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: NO WAY ! RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? oldntrin - 2009-09-20 5:17 PM jsselle - 2009-09-20 10:09 AM Sorry ... just my opinion. Gotta disagree. 66 is not too cold for swim au naturelle, but will be better, faster, safer (buoyancy), and more comfortable in a wetsuit. If I did not have a wetsuit for 70 degress, I would swim without one. For 66 degrees, I'd rent one. Here's the test: How many other people will be without a wetsuit for this race? Less than 5 percent, I'd bet. And maybe less than 5. ****Plus, you are gonna be standing around in the swim pen before the race.... do you really want to do this AFTER you've "jumped in, and warmed up, and ducked your head under?!" **** On a cool morning, that could get really cold. This is a no brainer to me ... you guys still think no wetsuit is OK? Did it and thrived, not just survived. Air temp was under 60 degrees, water was 66-68 degrees. Welcome to the West (Best) Coast, Maryland Yeah, I think the air temp and what you are used to makes a big difference. At Marshman in Pennsylvania yesterday, the morning air temps were in the low 50's. The water was warmer than that (probably in the 60's). Lots of people in wetsuits, but also lots without. (I'd call it 50/50). I actually had the wetsuit on before the race to keep myself warm, but ditched it for the actual swim. Felt good in the water, and swam strong, passing many in the pack (lost all that ground later, but that wasn't too surprising to me). |
| 2009-09-21 10:28 AM in reply to: #2415171 |
| 155 | Subject: RE: swim okay in 66 degree water no wetsuit? Just know that it will be freezing, but once you get used to it you'll be fine. How long it takes to get used to it is up for debate. |
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