Wetsuit Rules

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2008-07-21 12:04 PM

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Subject: Wetsuit Rules

I am considering doing a Sprint Tri in two weeks time but the wetsuit I borrowed for my first ever Sprint on July 6th isn't available to me this time. I've tried to find somewhere to rent a suit but none available locally and cross-border issues rule out the on-line places. 

I'm not very confident in my swim ability (I was 18 minutes for 750m in my first tri) and since this will be an ocean swim (Prince Edward Island, Canada) I'm worried about participating without a wetsuit. I have been offered the use of a "shorty" wetsuit by someone who uses it for waterskiing/etc.

I know the neoprene is thicker than in a tri-specific wetsuit. Are there rules against using this type of suit?



2008-07-21 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules
a non-swim style wet suit is NOT recomended.  I used to be a rescue swimmer in the Navy and I have owned every type of wetsuit, shorty, sleevless, farmer john, etc.  If it is a regular neoprene wetsuit it will not be made for swimming and give you much resistance in the shoulders and due to not having the slick syrface will not be as hydrodynamic.
2008-07-21 12:33 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules
To answer your question, any type of wetsuit should be allowed but not really the idea situation to use a shorty.
2008-07-21 12:35 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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A little slice of paradise
Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules

 

there is a website where you can rent one for 29 days for $35 plus shipping and a deposit, which is refunded when you return the wetsuit

http://www.f2r.com/

 



Edited by yoda13 2008-07-21 12:36 PM
2008-07-21 12:39 PM
in reply to: #1545781

Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules
FreddyBeachPete - 2008-07-21 1:04 PM

I am considering doing a Sprint Tri in two weeks time but the wetsuit I borrowed for my first ever Sprint on July 6th isn't available to me this time. I've tried to find somewhere to rent a suit but none available locally and cross-border issues rule out the on-line places. 

I'm not very confident in my swim ability (I was 18 minutes for 750m in my first tri) and since this will be an ocean swim (Prince Edward Island, Canada) I'm worried about participating without a wetsuit. I have been offered the use of a "shorty" wetsuit by someone who uses it for waterskiing/etc.

I know the neoprene is thicker than in a tri-specific wetsuit. Are there rules against using this type of suit?

No rules against it, but as others have said, it's not recommended. And that 750 OWS time is really not that bad, esp. if it was your first race, so don't beat yourself up too much There are a few sites where you can rent one - not sure about tri-shops in your area, but some rent wetsuits. It's usually pretty cheap and considering what they cost to purchase new, definitely worth it.

2008-07-21 1:17 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules

To answer your question, any wetsuit is permitted under the TriCan rules provided it is no thicker than 5mm.  As others have mentioned, it probably won't be ideal to swim in but if you can get it to try a few times before the race it may be okay.

If you are worried about temperature (I assume that you are doing the Summerside Triathlon?); you should be fine without a wetsuit; we had our provincial championships this past weekend (Nova Scotia) in Port Hood and the ocean temp was 20C.  My understanding is that PEI is usually around the same or slightly warmer than the Port Hood area.

If you are doing the Summerside race, definitely stick around to watch the junior elite race; you'll see some very fast athletes and maybe some future Olympians! 

Good luck,

Shane

2008-07-21 3:48 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules

OK, now I'm getting nervous...

My first sprint tri is Aug. 3: 750m lake swim (Culpeper VA Tri). I had one of those old-style waterski shorty wetsuits, but now it looks like I should ditch it.

If I cannot get rent a sleeveless shorty, should I buckle down and buy one, or will I be OK without one?

2008-07-21 3:51 PM
in reply to: #1546660

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules
I'm guessing the Culpeper, VA race will probably not be wetsuit legal, anyway. Even if it still is, you can swim it without a wetsuit because it just won't be that cold.
2008-07-21 4:02 PM
in reply to: #1545781

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New Brunswick, Canada
Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules

Thanks all for the responses, especially Shane from Nova Scotia. Yes, it is the Summerside Tri that I am contemplating and if I end up doing it I will definitely stick around to watch the Junior Elites. Enjoyed reading your blog and will link it to mine (www.petermcdrunning.blogspot.com).

Peter 

2008-07-21 4:21 PM
in reply to: #1546660

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit Rules
windandsurf - 2008-07-21 4:48 PM

OK, now I'm getting nervous...

My first sprint tri is Aug. 3: 750m lake swim (Culpeper VA Tri). I had one of those old-style waterski shorty wetsuits, but now it looks like I should ditch it.

If I cannot get rent a sleeveless shorty, should I buckle down and buy one, or will I be OK without one?

Yeah, I am doing that race as well, and it is very unlikely that it will be a wetsuit-legal race.  Very unlikely. 

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