Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits

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2007-09-04 1:34 PM

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Subject: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
I have participated in a few triathlons and being a surfer I own a fairly nice bodyglove surf wetsuit. I notice, though, at all my events everyone is wearing a tri wetsuit i was wondering is therre a huge difference? is it worth the investment is my other question.

2007-09-04 1:49 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
My Oneil full suit was a little rough last time (I use it for waterskiing). It's not cut for swimming making the swim hard as hell, chaffed my neck like crazy, and was a to get off at T1.

Look at the link below regarding the cheaper tri-wetsuit. I just bought one off ebay ($74 plus 10 for shipping)...it seems pretty good after one open water swim.

2007-09-04 1:51 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
Triathlon wetsuits are designed with speed and minimal drag in mind...however, you could wear yours. I've seen people in all sorts of wetsuits. I guess it comes down to how competitive you are, you may save a minute or two with a triathlon wetsuit, but does it matter to you??? Depending on how cold the water is, anything might be better than nothing.
2007-09-04 3:22 PM
in reply to: #951697

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
I am not sure about a surfing wetsuit but the triathlon suits are pretty buoyant. I used a shorty snorkeling wetsuit last year that I got from my brother. It kept me warm but didn't help much on the swim. I bought a triathlon suit this year and the difference was remarkable. I am a better swimmer now as well, but my legs just pop up into the correct position with that wetsuit on. It cut almost 20% off of my time in the mile.
2007-09-04 3:28 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits

joemac3 - 2007-09-04 12:34 PM I have participated in a few triathlons and being a surfer I own a fairly nice bodyglove surf wetsuit. I notice, though, at all my events everyone is wearing a tri wetsuit i was wondering is therre a huge difference? is it worth the investment is my other question.

I think the main design differences of the triathlon wetsuit are:

1) optimized for swimming the front crawl (range of motion for arms and neck, buoyancy distribution for optimal body position, etc.)

2) design to be removed quickly

Have you tried swimming 2000 yds front crawl in your surfing wetsuit?

 

2007-09-04 3:28 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
joemac3 - 2007-09-04 1:34 PM I have participated in a few triathlons and being a surfer I own a fairly nice bodyglove surf wetsuit. I notice, though, at all my events everyone is wearing a tri wetsuit i was wondering is therre a huge difference? is it worth the investment is my other question.
yes HUGE, the weaker swimmer you are the faster you'll swim with a tri-wetsuit

2007-09-04 3:40 PM
in reply to: #951862

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits

amiine - 2007-09-04 4:28 PM
joemac3 - 2007-09-04 1:34 PM I have participated in a few triathlons and being a surfer I own a fairly nice bodyglove surf wetsuit. I notice, though, at all my events everyone is wearing a tri wetsuit i was wondering is therre a huge difference? is it worth the investment is my other question.
yes HUGE, the weaker swimmer you are the faster you'll swim with a tri-wetsuit

to back up Jorge with some real-life data, I am a very weak swimmer.  In the pool, I did a TT 400 yd. swim, no wetsuit, and it took me about 9:25.  And I was really spent at the end of it.  A couple weeks later I did 400 yds. with the wetsuit and it took me 8:02, and I had something left in the tank.   20 sec/100 yds. is a pretty drastic difference.

2007-09-04 4:03 PM
in reply to: #951874

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
newleaf - 2007-09-04 2:40 PM

to back up Jorge with some real-life data, I am a very weak swimmer.  In the pool, I did a TT 400 yd. swim, no wetsuit, and it took me about 9:25.  And I was really spent at the end of it.  A couple weeks later I did 400 yds. with the wetsuit and it took me 8:02, and I had something left in the tank.   20 sec/100 yds. is a pretty drastic difference.

but the OP's question was not wetsuit vs. no wetsuit, it was surfing wetsuit vs. tri wetsuit

 

2007-09-04 5:44 PM
in reply to: #951907

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
ScottoNM - 2007-09-04 2:03 PM
newleaf - 2007-09-04 2:40 PM

to back up Jorge with some real-life data, I am a very weak swimmer.  In the pool, I did a TT 400 yd. swim, no wetsuit, and it took me about 9:25.  And I was really spent at the end of it.  A couple weeks later I did 400 yds. with the wetsuit and it took me 8:02, and I had something left in the tank.   20 sec/100 yds. is a pretty drastic difference.

but the OP's question was not wetsuit vs. no wetsuit, it was surfing wetsuit vs. tri wetsuit

 

Maybe so, but I am impressed!  Good job.  Keep up the good work! I think i'll try the wetsuit for my next pool sprint!

2007-09-04 7:29 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
Thank you all so much for your wonderful information. it is something to think about. just for further information i am a really strong swimmer and have played waterpolo and swam on swim team for 4 years. about 3 years ago. i can swim in excess of a mile without stopping within an hour and still have enough left in the tank for a short bike ride or run. i also surf fairly regularly (once a week most weeks) i was just wondering what the differences are and if the tri suit is worth the investment or is my surf suit ok. i had heard several opinions (i love to be well informed when i make a decision) and was curious as to what the differences were and if they made a huge difference.
2007-09-04 7:31 PM
in reply to: #952052

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits

A mile in an hour?  You haven't measured your swim speed lately, have you? 

joemac3 - 2007-09-04 7:29 PM Thank you all so much for your wonderful information. it is something to think about. just for further information i am a really strong swimmer and have played waterpolo and swam on swim team for 4 years. about 3 years ago. i can swim in excess of a mile without stopping within an hour and still have enough left in the tank for a short bike ride or run. i also surf fairly regularly (once a week most weeks) i was just wondering what the differences are and if the tri suit is worth the investment or is my surf suit ok. i had heard several opinions (i love to be well informed when i make a decision) and was curious as to what the differences were and if they made a huge difference.

2007-09-04 7:40 PM
in reply to: #951666

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Subject: RE: Wetsuits, wetsuits, wetsuits
i'm not sure about this, but I think that surfing/skiing wetsuits might be illegal for triathlons. The neoprene is too thick. But that may be wrong... feel free to double-check.

There is something wrong with my PDF veiwer, which is what it takes to look @ the USAT rules.

sam
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