Tri girls: Wetsuit or no?

[beachygal]

My first sprint tri is next Sunday, and I have my first open water swim tomorrow. The water temp for tomorrow's midday swim and next week's early AM swim will be about 65 degrees. Do you think I should rent a wetsuit?

I should also mention that I'm a huge brat about cold temps--I feel like I get really cold really easily (not sure if I really feel it more than others or I'm just a baby!). 

[kams]

65 is pretty chilly. I would wear a wetsuit, but I loooovvvee my wetsuit. If you think you might race in a wetsuit, I definitely recommend doing your practice in a wetsuit. It can take a bit of time to get comfortable in one.

[trigal]

I'd probably wear a wetsuit, but make sure you practice with it first. Race day is not the time to try something new.

[joenali]

That's cold. I vote wetsuit.

[beachygal]

Okay, just rented one. Picking it up this afternoon, and will have it for open water practice tomorrow. I think I will extend the rental to 8 days so I have it for race day.

Thanks ladies!

[katandkevin]

How long is the swim? If it is a 300, I would probably skip it even though 65 is cold.

[emilyj]

I just did a 600m sprint in 68 degree water. It was cold at first, but not terrible. Having never used a wetsuit before, I'd still probably skip it again at 65 degrees for a sprint distance - not worth the hassle of getting it off in transition for me.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I hate wetsuits, so I'm going to vote no. However, you will be at a disadvantage, because there will be a *majority* of other people wearing wetsuits with that water temp, and wetsuit-wearers will swim faster than non-wetsuit-wearers ... all things being equal.

[gumi]

Not only do you swim faster with a wetsuit, it's easier so you work save more energy for the bike and run. Also your body uses less energy staying warm. I would probably rent sleeveless. My arms are always fine and sleeves can be restricting.

Sent from my SCH-I605

[chw57]

I wore a wetsuit in my last tri (with full sleeves) and the water was 70... but I love my wetsuit and the added buoyancy because I'm not a particularly good swimmer