BT Forum

Have you done a race without the wetsuit?  I ask because that would be a good comparison.  Then you are removing factors like, nerves, adrenaline, anxiety.  If you are out of breath without one well then you have your answer.

If you are not, then it is the wetsuit.

You should be able to find stores that will loan you a suit or at least rent you one to try.

If you are still out of breath without a wetsuit some advice I got was in your warm up swim do a couple of 50m really fast efforts which will help settle you for the start, otherwise it might be the swimming in groups, open water, not seeing a black line, swallowing more water than usual etc.  This means more practice in these environments to simulate the race environment.

Disclosure: Don't race without a wetsuit if it is too cold!

I had the exact same problem the first time I wore a wetsuit. I trained all summer in a pool and while out open water swimming in just swim shorts, thinking that when I put the wetsuit on for the first time I would be more powerful, streamlined and quicker through the water on race day. What I hadn't counted on was the restriction experienced by wearing the wetsuit.

As my heart rate and breathing rate increased 100m into the swim I found my rib cage could not expand enough in the wetsuit to allow me to get air into my lungs. I couldn't breathe properly, started to hyperventilate and then the good old water anxiety set in. Barely managed to finish the swim on my first tri by swimming the remaning distance with my head out of the water.

Since then, I have been practicing open water swimming in my wetsuit, under my own controlled conditions and also in non-chlorinated pools. It's like anything, it will get better with practice. Keep at it and you will be used to the wetsuit in no time at all

Mike

I thought I had that problem too.

I found out at my last race, even though I've even gained 20 lbs. since buying the wetsuit that it really was nerves. The wetsuit felt fine even though it should've restricted my breathing. I was calm and confident and it made all the difference.

I thought about doing this too. Maybe putting the wetsuit on and carrying out some exercise to increase heart rate and breathing rate to get used to the way the wetsuit's compress?? Worth a shot maybe??

Also, check your shoulders. I find that I feel constricted in my sleeveless wetsuit if the shoulders are even a little tight.

I spend extra time pulling up the top half to make it feel a little roomier.

Good Luck!