Oh my word. The stuff people talk about... Have anyone spend 30-45min in cold water ? The effect its got on the body ? Hormonal, energy etc? You can get a wetsuit for a grand and would make your races more FUN. Mail anyone you know that have done 70.3 in East London. Ask them. People with a swimming background(like open water) usually dont need it beacause they are a swimmer, natural for them(doing it for years). I'm in for a wetsuit. I am not sponsored and have raced * 70.3 this years as a PRO over the world. My 2 cents. I for promoting the sport, not giving bad advice or the waste money.