How cold is TOO cold?

Last year, I won (as a doorprize) a free entry to this tri, but passed on it because I heard a wetsuit was a "must."

Obviously different people are going to have different tolerances. Why don't you go out there this weekend and literally test the waters?

You could rent a wetsuit for the race.  Go to wetsuitrental.com or figure out if a local shop rents them.  I did this for a race last year and am very glad I did so. 

Tom

That's not a bad idea, I wonder how much they run

 I may go out this weekend to test it out, good to have OWS practice anyway before the race.

wetsuitrental.com indicates $30 plus $6 in shipping cost.  I rented for $40 at my local shop.  You usually get them for about a week so you can get in some OW practice and some on/off practice, too.  I know that helped me immensely.

Tom

I rented a wetsuit from wetsuitrental.com for St Anthony's (April 30th) and they sent it to me at the end of last month (so I would have time to try it out and feel comfortable). They are giving away 2 wetsuits each month right now - so you should sign up for that (I actually won one of the wetsuits in March!)

It's the xterra suits that they rent right? how is the sizing? - do they run small normal or big

I'm 5'4" 5'5"  depending on who's measuring and 125-130 lbs. I have long legs though but not so long that when I buy jeans I need the long length.

This seems to be my best bet

I'm in the same boat, and wondering the same thing.

375m swim, no wetsuit. It has been mid-60's ish in the past but maybe warmer with the really mild winter.

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=orca-speedsuit-sleeveless-triathlon-wetsuit-2005

I could buy this.....$130

or this one  http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=2004-quintana-roo-hydrojohn-triathlon-wetsuit-mens     for $150

have any of you women worn/bought a men's wetsuit? is this a big problem?

Doing the race in waters that cold can literally suck the air out your lung.  Personally, I am not a fan of cold water and wouldn't even attempt it w/out a wetsuit.

To get an idea of just how cold it is, run a bath at that temperature and sit in it for 4 minutes (it will probably take you at least 4 minutes to get warmed-up through the act of swimming in the water).

As far as a wetsuit, remember the mantra: "Nothing new on race day."

I rented a wetsuit for my last tri of last season and it was a disaster - I wasn't used to the constriction you feel around your throat + chest nor the added float + speed (which led to problems pacing/over-exertion).  Each of these contributed to a difficult time breathing.

Add that to a difficult time breathing due to water temperature and you have some potential problems.

If you rent a wetsuit, you should consider practicing in it for a couple weeks.  It really is different - not bad, but different.  I am training for St. Anthony's and have already done three continuous swims @ race distance to get used to it.

Given that your race is but 2 some-odd weeks away, getting the wetsuit sooner rather than later is key.

Btw, I was the Orca sleeveless and love it ... I rented the Xterra full suit and, for me, found it to be difficult to move in and binding.

Edit: My local Fleet Feet rents wetsuits for $30/2 weeks - being early in the season, they might let you have it a few days early.