Wetsuits
Marie wrote the following in question in the question and comments section, but I wanted others to be able to find the conversation if they wanted to. I will respond to her post in a follow on post.
- Marie Mcguirk { 03.21.08 at 8:36 am }
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Can we open the dialogue about wetsuits? I would like to get one, and this might be dopey, but are the ones we are looking at the same one diver’s use? Because, if they are, my uncle has a dive-shop in Newport, maybe I could get us a group discount? I also have no idea how to shop for a wetsuit. On the topic of all the snazzy duds I am going to get to wear this season, are tri-shorts different than biking shorts (I just tried them out, interesting….) Thanks
1 comment
Marie, unless you have money burning in your pocket, I believe that for the first year of triathlon training, you should wait to buy a “real” wetsuit. You want to make sure you will want to continue with the sport before you buy one. They will run $200-$400 depending on what kind you get. With that said, especially for newer swimmers, it does help tremendously in keeping your body elevated and in the right position to swim faster.
My first year I wore a cheaper diving suit. You can get them almost anywhere that sells swim stuff. The provide slightly more buoancy than nothing, and are a little warmer. Most of these only come in short sleeve and shorts style, so they aren’t as warm as a full or sleeveless tri wetsuit. They even had them at Ocean State Job Lot last year.
If you decide you want to get a tri wetsuit anyways, one thought is, if you want to get one a little cheaper, a few vendors will have some at the Tri Expo (www.newenglandmultisportexpo.com) on March 31st that are usually 50% off. I got mine there for $150. You have to go when it opens though because they go fast.
If you do decide to get a tri wetsuit this year, then you have lots of other questions to answer, like full sleeve, no sleeve, one piece, two pieces, etc… Up until last year I wore a sleeveless. The full sleeves do take a little getting used to because you feel like your arm movements are restricted. I would strongly recommend that if you go with a tri suit this year, you buy a full leg-sleeveless one.
I will answer your bike shorts vs tri shorts question under a separate posting.
Keep the question coming!
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