General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time Rss Feed  
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2011-12-13 7:51 PM

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Subject: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time

I don't own a wetsuit so I have no idea. Assuming good conditions for an OWS with a wetsuit, how would your time compare with your time with no wetsuit in a pool?

I am wondering what kind of time I might expect in an 1600 yard OWS if I had a wetsuit. I can sustain a 1:30 pace for 1600 yards in the pool. I don't do flip turns but do get an agressive push off the wall each 25 yards.



2011-12-13 8:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time

first thing i will say is learn the flip turn, it really helps control you breathing since you must hold it turning thus giving you stronger lungs.

as for wetsuit OWS and pool, theres too many factors to give a great comparison such currents and chop. i swam 12 minutes for 500m when i was able to do it in sub 8 thanks to a good current come race day. a wetsuit will make you more buoyant in the water by making the lower half of your body float up to the surface thus creating less drag in the water thus making you faster.

2011-12-13 8:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time

A lot of variables to consider - sighting and accuracy of course are two big ones that come to mind. Also a proper fitting wetsuit is key. One that doesn't allow enough shoulder rotation can screw you up in a hurry.

Personally, I haven't seen any notable improvements in my own swim times due to the above factors. But the leg buoyancy and confidence boost are nice. My best OWS time was without a wetsuit and was equal to my pool swim times.

2011-12-13 10:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time
If everything were equal your swim time should improve around 10 seconds per 100 yards, but it is almost never really equal. Things like how well you sighting skills are, what the water conditions are (chop, current,etc.) Then there is the accuracy of the OWS distance. They are rarely that accurate. How well you swim with others folks all around you may have an impact as well.

Providing the wetsuit fits well along the bouyancy, it should take less effort to swim the distance, whether that translate into a better time is hard to estimate.
2011-12-14 2:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time
Going truisms are

+10 sec/100 for wearing the wetsuit
-10 sec/100 for OWS

So it about averages out. One problem you're going to have trying to figure this out is the odds are you are never going to have a swim that's measured as precisely as your pool so your time will not be all that spot on what you figured it should be.

2011-12-14 4:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time
Thanks for the replies everyone.


2011-12-14 8:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time
agree it's +10 for wetsuit, -10 for OWS....then the x factor, which is how well you can swim in the first 200m with people punching and kicking you while water is splashed down your throat every time you're trying to inhale. Unless I can get into clear head water, I get trapped in a modified breast stroke/doggie paddle/freestyle stroke I fondly refer to as 'the Freak'. It's not very efficient or fast, unfortunately.
2011-12-15 1:21 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time

When I first started doing tris, I was significantly faster in my wetsuit than in the pool ... like 20-30 seconds per 100 yards. I assume the buoyancy provided by the suit was correcting some horrible problem(s) with my form that slowed me down significantly in the pool.

Now that I'm a lot faster in the pool, the difference isn't as dramatic but I've swum in OW without a wet suit a few times when I thought I was doing a race that wouldn't be wet suit legal and I was about 7 min. slower per mile than my slowest time swimming in that same water in a wetsuit.

2011-12-15 2:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time
Other makes some good points.  I will say this though - 1:30 is not bad at all if you can hold that for 1600.  Find a wetsuit that fits when you do - that is key.  Also, you can get a significant draft by tucking in behind someone and riding on their feet. You can easily be 10 seconds faster with the wetsuit and if you find a good pair of feet.
2011-12-15 6:19 AM
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit OWS time v. No Wetsuit pool time

I mostly agree with the others, but my personal experience and observations have been a little different.  The amount of time gained with a wetsuit will actually vary based on swimming ability.  It will help a weaker swimmer who struggles with sinking legs much more than it will a better swimmer who can keep their hips and legs high.  10 seconds / 100 is about the average, but a beginner swimmer with a lot of flaws may gain 20+ seconds / 100 while an elite swimmer's improvement may only be in the very low single digits.

At 1:30/100 sustainable pace, you're a decent swimmer by triathlete age group standards, so I'm guessing your balance, streamlining, and stroke technique aren't too bad.  Just going by that, my best guess is that you would gain closer to 5 seconds / 100.

 

2011-12-15 6:40 AM
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