Wetsuit illegal – to drown or not to drown?

[Henley]

To elite swimmers this might sound weird, but to all mediocre and weak swimmers dying during the swim stage of a triathlon is a real fear.

Hotshot swimmers will not understand what it is like to pre-enter for a race, then drive 200 km to that race, just to drive home again without racing - because the water temperature happens to be 21.8C.

Of course we understand that “TSA sanctioned” means ITU rules and of course athletes are disciplined people who are comfortable in an environment where rules have to be obeyed – especially safety rules. And of course we understand that the elite and age cat podium fraternity is made up of competitive individuals who want their opponents to play to the rules! All this is clear and to be supported.

What is not clear to me and hundreds who think like I do is why race organizers do not make some sort of special provision for the use of wet suits purely for safety reasons. There are several potential solutions and combos of options to pursue, but without the passion by sports administrators to bring the sport safely to as many participants as possible, this will not work.

Without getting into detail, here are some basic principles to consider:

• That the longer races be allowed substantially higher temperatures (such as 70.3 that go with 24.5C). Why not 24.5C for all HIMs in SA – irrespective of water temp?

• That athletes be allowed to use a wet suit in a non wetsuit race but accept pre-disqualification upfront

• That athletes face an upfront time penalty of much more that the advantage obtainable from any wetsuit

• That race organizers go by historical water temperature measures and state upfront whether a race will be wetsuit legal or not – then stick to that decision irrespective of the measured temperature on the morning of the race

• That the race organizers measure the water a day before pre-entries cut-off date, announce whether wetsuit legal or not, and then stick to that decision – whatever the temp is on race day

 

Dear triathlon administrators, if you are really serious about drawing large numbers of newcomers to the sport of triathlon, then consider some of the above. If you think the above is all nonsense, I challenge you to do a statistical survey amongst novice triahletes and beginners!

If you still think the above hinges on paranoia, look back at the way newly added safety rules had found its way in all types of sport over the past decade. Extrapolate that tendency at the same rate as popularity of triathlons is increasing in SA, and see the safety shortfall. Then take it upon yourselves to be man enough to admit error when swimmers drown in triathlons.

Thanx for reading this.

[Azi]

I agree.

[gummibear]

 

• That athletes be allowed to use a wet suit in a non wetsuit race but accept pre-disqualification upfront

 

Why bother to enter and waste your money then?

Edited December 7, 2011 by gummibear

[crashtestdummy]

Ever thought that there are people out there that race for the FUN of it ?!

[Face Plant]

i think that your wetsuit may be giving you a false sense of security? `wetsuits don't make that much of a difference in fact i have had faster swim splits swimming without a wetsuit... and i think you may be wrong about the masses too as i am sure that the majority of novices don't own a wetsuit due to the price of the wetsuits. may i also just ask... i assume that most if not all of your swim training is done without a wetsuit? so i would suggest forgetting the wetsuit thing and start to enjoy the cold water

[crashtestdummy]

FP untill recently I shared your opinion, untill I saw the fear on a friends face when she was told she wouldn't be able to use a wetsuit. I don't think many people remember where they started when they did their first tri swim and how far they've come.

[Face Plant]

i hear you crashtest but as harsh as this might sound .. if you cant do a race distance swim without a wetsuit you shouldn't be doing the race. i just think that a wetsuit should not be used as a aid to avoid drowning. im not being insensitive here and i understand the initial fear of a open water swim but in all honesty most of the short course races in SA is non wetsuit legal and you should be ready for that. a R3000 wetsuit can not replace swim training

[crashtestdummy]

I'm sure most of the athletes have at least done the distance in training, I think it's more about the number of people around you and the pushing and shoving that goes on during the swim that puts novices off. Like the OP says if the sport wants to grow it's something that needs to be considered.

[Seeker911]

I'm no pro I do 1500m in 30minutes in the open water. As a novice I was terrified of the swim part of the race. There's only only way to over being paranoid about the swim section and that's to go down to the pool regularly and do laps. Get a swim coach to help with stroke correction. Do lots of races. BSG specifically has short distances where you can build up confidence. The more events you take part in the more confident you will get. If crowds make you nervous wait for the main wave to start then follow. I do triathlon for the fun of it as do most people I know in the sport. I just dont think the exceptions you are asking for are practical.

[mtb_Josh]

Are you sure you own a wetsuit and not a life vest? surely its not THAT buoyant?

I did my first triathlon on sunday with not much swimming training and no wetsuit. It took me a while but I got out of the water alive. If you watched the kids race you would have been embarrassed for not even trying. There was a small girl who could hardly swim but still stuck it out and finished!

[Garfield2010]

To elite swimmers this might sound weird, but to all mediocre and weak swimmers dying during the swim stage of a triathlon is a real fear.

Hotshot swimmers will not understand what it is like to pre-enter for a race, then drive 200 km to that race, just to drive home again without racing - because the water temperature happens to be 21.8C.

Of course we understand that “TSA sanctioned” means ITU rules and of course athletes are disciplined people who are comfortable in an environment where rules have to be obeyed – especially safety rules. And of course we understand that the elite and age cat podium fraternity is made up of competitive individuals who want their opponents to play to the rules! All this is clear and to be supported.

What is not clear to me and hundreds who think like I do is why race organizers do not make some sort of special provision for the use of wet suits purely for safety reasons. There are several potential solutions and combos of options to pursue, but without the passion by sports administrators to bring the sport safely to as many participants as possible, this will not work.

Without getting into detail, here are some basic principles to consider:

• That the longer races be allowed substantially higher temperatures (such as 70.3 that go with 24.5C). Why not 24.5C for all HIMs in SA – irrespective of water temp?

• That athletes be allowed to use a wet suit in a non wetsuit race but accept pre-disqualification upfront

• That athletes face an upfront time penalty of much more that the advantage obtainable from any wetsuit

• That race organizers go by historical water temperature measures and state upfront whether a race will be wetsuit legal or not – then stick to that decision irrespective of the measured temperature on the morning of the race

• That the race organizers measure the water a day before pre-entries cut-off date, announce whether wetsuit legal or not, and then stick to that decision – whatever the temp is on race day

 

Dear triathlon administrators, if you are really serious about drawing large numbers of newcomers to the sport of triathlon, then consider some of the above. If you think the above is all nonsense, I challenge you to do a statistical survey amongst novice triahletes and beginners!

If you still think the above hinges on paranoia, look back at the way newly added safety rules had found its way in all types of sport over the past decade. Extrapolate that tendency at the same rate as popularity of triathlons is increasing in SA, and see the safety shortfall. Then take it upon yourselves to be man enough to admit error when swimmers drown in triathlons.

Thanx for reading this.

 

I agree 100%.

 

The BSG Harties was a good example of them being understanding. They allowed wetsuits even though the water was hot as hell!!

[Face Plant]

there was no understanding at the BSG harties Garfield, the water temp made it a wetsuit legal for the age groupers and non wetsuit for the elites. speaking about Harties ..... isnt that a perfect venue for a triathlon? if you get tired you can just stand up because the channel is only 1.5 meters deep!!

[Disylizzy]

The only way to get comfortable and better at open water swimming is to incorporate it in to your training. If you rely on your wetsuit to "survive" in the swimming portion of the tri, then you should rather look at duathlons.

[Garfield2010]

there was no understanding at the BSG harties Garfield, the water temp made it a wetsuit legal for the age groupers and non wetsuit for the elites. speaking about Harties ..... isnt that a perfect venue for a triathlon? if you get tired you can just stand up because the channel is only 1.5 meters deep!!

 

Oh ok. I just thought the water was very warm in Harties.

[Garfield2010]

The only way to get comfortable and better at open water swimming is to incorporate it in to your training. If you rely on your wetsuit to "survive" in the swimming portion of the tri, then you should rather look at duathlons.

 

Its not that simple. Is it not dangerous to go swim alone in the open waters? And training groups are hard to find accept if you live at the coast.

 

Instead of shwong this guy away lets rather find a way to increase the numbers. The more people who do tri, the more events will pop up.

 

In any case who gives a damn about wetsuits. I am not bothered if another guy has a wetsuit...

 

I race for myself..............

 

Maybe let the non wetsuit guys start 5 min earlier?

[The Saint]

Not sure why there must be exceptions to the rules for people who don't prepare properly.