General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wetsuit on short distances Rss Feed  
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2010-08-19 11:48 AM

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Regular
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Subject: Wetsuit on short distances
So just looking for personal opinions on this one but is a wetsuit beneficial or even necessary for really short distances. I'm doing a super sprint next weekend and the swim is ows but only 400m so with such a short distance does it really matter folks???


2010-08-19 11:52 AM
in reply to: #3052795

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
A wetsuit nets you roughly 10 seconds per 100.
A wetsuit takes roughly 5-10 seconds to take off.
Anything over 100 yards/meters of swimming is a net gain in time by wearing a wetsuit.

Now is that 40 seconds going to get you on the podium? At that distance you're not exactly going to notice a difference in energy required for the swim so that's a wash.

If you have one already I would consider wearing it. I would not go buy or rent one for the race, though.
2010-08-19 11:53 AM
in reply to: #3052795

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
Depends on how you swim, how fast you swim, and how fast you can get a wetsuit off (and if you're willing to practice that).

I'd wear a wetsuit for ANY distance OWS, but I got to where I could strip one off really, really quickly.

Also remember that swims are chronically mismeasured.
2010-08-19 11:57 AM
in reply to: #3052795

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
Agree with the guys above... if you *can* wear it, you probably should
2010-08-19 12:08 PM
in reply to: #3052795

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Master
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
It's not just time saved, but you will be going faster at a lower heart rate. After racing without mine in a couple of 500m swim legs this year, I've decided to always, always, always wear it. The first one had lots of stop-and-go traffic in the water. The wetsuit will keep your body floating in the correct position.
2010-08-19 12:13 PM
in reply to: #3052795

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
One thing that keeps getting neglected in all the (time gained in swim)-(time to doff the suit) formulae is this: how much better do you feel getting on the bike after wearing the wetsuit vs not? For me, I can get going on the bike a LOT quicker/easier, meaning I'm faster on the bike earlier in the bike ride, when I wear the wetsuit. That by itself is worth it to me, even if I lose 10-15 seconds in the above equation.


2010-08-19 4:58 PM
in reply to: #3052795

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
For me, I gain only 5-6sec per 100,
but the comfort of getting into cool/cold water and not having my muscles all shrivel up is worth it.  Also, it's nice to float during a deep water start without having to tread water.

I'm definitely in the 'use it whenever you can' camp.  It's legal cheating.
2010-08-20 8:53 AM
in reply to: #3052795

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
Legal = wear it. I have worn one in a 78.0 degree 500m sprint. Some people thought I was crazy. Those people were behind me when I came out of T1
2010-08-20 5:29 PM
in reply to: #3052795

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
If its legal my vote is to wear it.  It can only help you if you practice stripping it after a swim
2010-08-20 10:05 PM
in reply to: #3055786

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit on short distances
Vote for wear it but for a slightly different reason (all others were valid and I agree with by the way).

So you warm up for the race with a 50-100 yard swim, get out of the water and stand on the shore for 10+ minutes waiting for the start.  Little chilly now since you are wet?

Happened to me in the last race of the season, water temp was 72 so do-able without but the air temp was low 60's.  I stood there, even with pre-race energy, cold and the muscles cooled off quickly.  Just a different way to think about it.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wetsuit on short distances Rss Feed