Wetsuit illegal – to drown or not to drown?

[Garfield2010]

It is very easy for natural swimmers to comment on being a man and learning to swim etc.

 

I have been doing triathlon for 6 years. I work hard on my swimming yet I still suck big time. Some people have more talent than other.............

 

I am still scared of the swim. I get cold a lot easier than other people. You might experience the water to be lekker, not me, I will be the opne freezing.

 

I nearly died last year in EL so cold was it...............

 

I looove my wetsuit as it makes all the difference in the world for me. It makes my race a lot more enjoyable.

 

All I ask is that they allow ME to decide if I wanna wear it......

 

DQ me I dont care, just let me use MY wetsuit. It was damn expensive as well!!

[Garfield2010]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=reply_post&f=39&t=110827&qpid=1546483

 

I'd love to hear your views on this..............

[Lee-ann]

I agree with the sentiment of racing for fun, and I personally wouldn't mind if people could wear wetsuits if it gave them a confidence boost in the water. In all honesty, swimming at the gym, and swimming in a dam/river with 200 other woman, clawing at your calves, arms, head, face etc are very different scenarios. Not wetsuit/polly-otters/water wings are going to help you escape that. The fact is, the more you race, the more you learn about swimming in a pack. I raced 3 of the BSG races this year, without a wetsuit. I am a mid pack swimmer and the swim is the most stressful part of the race for me and I doubt whether putting on a wetsuit will stop me being kicked in the face by a breast-stroker at any stage.

[gummibear]

I agree with the sentiment of racing for fun, and I personally wouldn't mind if people could wear wetsuits if it gave them a confidence boost in the water. In all honesty, swimming at the gym, and swimming in a dam/river with 200 other woman, clawing at your calves, arms, head, face etc are very different scenarios. Not wetsuit/polly-otters/water wings are going to help you escape that. The fact is, the more you race, the more you learn about swimming in a pack. I raced 3 of the BSG races this year, without a wetsuit. I am a mid pack swimmer and the swim is the most stressful part of the race for me and I doubt whether putting on a wetsuit will stop me being kicked in the face by a breast-stroker at any stage.

 

Getting your goggles kicked off in the start can ruin your day for sure.Thank goodness they float.

[Garfield2010]

Ja but the wetsuit gives me confidence. Since I have started wearing one I am now the guy doing the kicking and punching in the water. Nothing better than to target a hapless wetsuitless victum and then to suddenly attack and kick the **** out of them. Especially chicks

 

That is afterall why I love triathlon........

[MDW]

mmmmm, interesting topic, firstly 21.8 degrees is a flipping great temperature to swim in, i dont understand r u saying u were disappointed not to wear a wetsuit in that temp?

 

I must tell you the biggest problem I have is when TSA decide to allow wetsuites when the water temp is too high, they did this at Midmar 70.3 last year, I went on a swim the day before the race nice easy 1km out and back, and my watch had an average temp of around 25.2 degrees, so was expecting a non-wetsuite swim. However because of the close proximity to Ironman it seemed to me that people wanted this as a practice run, what a bloody stupid decision to allow wetsuites. 90% of the field overheated on the swim, then landed up dehydrated early on in the cycle leg, only to resort to overhydrating and it was such a hot day that it saw a huge field drop out. It can be far more dangerous to allow a wetsuite in warm temp conditions as it leads to the core body temp overheating and there is no ways with the suite on you are going to cool down. You are far better without one.

As tip to beginner triathletes, go for a warm up swim before the event let your body temp adjust to the water you will enjoy the swim so much more, your lungs and breathing will be pre adjusted to a nice comfort zone.

Edited December 8, 2011 by MDW

[Disylizzy]

It is very easy for natural swimmers to comment on being a man and learning to swim etc.

 

 

 

I've volunteered a few times with events like Trek Women's Triathlon and Danksin Women's Triathlon, where it's requested that seasoned swimmers assist newbies in swimming. Essentially you swim with a person that is aprehensive to swim by themselves and talk them through it, noodles are available if the person so desires, and I can drag them across if they get tired. But I have yet to come across any of those athletes that have requested my assistance in towing them across. I have more respect for those women that are **** scared to swim but still do it, even though it takes them 45min to swim 600m, than some one that's a decent swimmer complaining about whether wetsuits can be used.

 

Again, if you really want to get something done, YOU will find a way to make it happen. Stop making excuses and HTFU!

 

EDIT: before any offense is taken, I'm not talking about you Garf, I'm talking about people in general.

Edited December 8, 2011 by Disylizzy

[Lee-ann]

good gym training for the Tri swim, would be to join the kiddies coaching sessions...try to weave in between them for 600m.

[MDW]

Ok here is my argument:-

 

I train for IM. Therefore I like to compete in my wetsuit as much as possible. I like to do transitions with my wetsuit to practise it.

 

As for the overheating, is it really possible in only 600 meters?

 

I understand the laws and all that, I just feel that if a wetsuit is the difference between some guys competing then allow it.

 

2 months back there was a open water double mile swim event in Benoni. No wetsuits was allowed. I called the organiser and asked and he said I am welcome to bring my wetsuit, but will not be eligable for prizes..... Problem solved. If it wasnt for that I would never have gone.

 

Again, the more people we get to do the sport the more events will happen.

 

And remember, BSG events are for fun and to get more people into the sport. You dont have to train that hard to do a BSG.....

 

Dave, how is the water at Emmarenti Dam? Are you guys still swimming there? Is it wetsuit lega?

By the way, there are plenty Ironman events which dont allow wetusites, I have done 3 without because they were not allowed, Kona is another being one of them :-),

[gummibear]

good gym training for the Tri swim, would be to join the kiddies coaching sessions...try to weave in between them for 600m.

 

That won't work as they swim me away and they will klap me when they pass me

[Garfield2010]

mmmmm, interesting topic, firstly 21.8 degrees is a flipping great temperature to swim in, i dont understand r u saying u were disappointed not to wear a wetsuit in that temp?

 

I must tell you the biggest problem I have is when TSA decide to allow wetsuites when the water temp is too high, they did this at Midmar 70.3 last year, I went on a swim the day before the race nice easy 1km out and back, and my watch had an average temp of around 25.2 degrees, so was expecting a non-wetsuite swim. However because of the close proximity to Ironman it seemed to me that people wanted this as a practice run, what a bloody stupid decision to allow wetsuites. 90% of the field overheated on the swim, then landed up dehydrated early on in the cycle leg, only to resort to overhydrating and it was such a hot day that it saw a huge field drop out. It can be far more dangerous to allow a wetsuite in warm temp conditions as it leads to the core body temp overheating and there is no ways with the suite on you are going to cool down. You are far better without one.

As tip to beginner triathletes, go for a warm up swim before the event let your body temp adjust to the water you will enjoy the swim so much more, your lungs and breathing will be pre adjusted to a nice comfort zone.

 

I was at the Midmar and yes it was hot. I wouldn't however say that was the reason half of the field dropped out. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they ran out of water on the run course in 40 degree heat!!! And also that they gave sachets of water on the bike course......??

 

But yes I agree that when its boiling hot that it is not neccesary and could be dangerous.

 

In any case, if you drop out of a half IM then you shouldnt even consider doing the full IM

[Garfield2010]

By the way, there are plenty Ironman events which dont allow wetusites, I have done 3 without because they were not allowed, Kona is another being one of them :-),

 

Ok but I speak from a local point of view. Hopefully one day I can also do Kona!!

[MDW]

I was at the Midmar and yes it was hot. I wouldn't however say that was the reason half of the field dropped out. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they ran out of water on the run course in 40 degree heat!!! And also that they gave sachets of water on the bike course......??

 

But yes I agree that when its boiling hot that it is not neccesary and could be dangerous.

 

In any case, if you drop out of a half IM then you shouldnt even consider doing the full IM

LOL, hey I need to say I dropped out of Midmar 10km's into the run last year, but I have completed 18 halves and 9fulls, so there is always room for dropping out :-)) its not a bad thing rather listen to your body ;-). I dropped out due to a tummy bug actually was thinking of not racing but once i am entered its hard to say no :-) LOL

I need to add one thing, most people dropped out way before they ran out of water, a lot of people dropped out early on the run, they overheated in the swim, suffered on the bike and started the run going backwards

Edited December 8, 2011 by MDW

[MDW]

It is very easy for natural swimmers to comment on being a man and learning to swim etc.

 

I have been doing triathlon for 6 years. I work hard on my swimming yet I still suck big time. Some people have more talent than other.............

 

I am still scared of the swim. I get cold a lot easier than other people. You might experience the water to be lekker, not me, I will be the opne freezing.

 

I nearly died last year in EL so cold was it...............

 

I looove my wetsuit as it makes all the difference in the world for me. It makes my race a lot more enjoyable.

 

All I ask is that they allow ME to decide if I wanna wear it......

 

DQ me I dont care, just let me use MY wetsuit. It was damn expensive as well!!

Garfield do you go for swimming coaching?

[Garfield2010]

LOL, hey I need to say I dropped out of Midmar 10km's into the run last year, but I have completed 18 halves and 9fulls, so there is always room for dropping out :-)) its not a bad thing rather listen to your body ;-). I dropped out due to a tummy bug actually was thinking of not racing but once i am entered its hard to say no :-) LOL

I need to add one thing, most people dropped out way before they ran out of water, a lot of people dropped out early on the run, they overheated in the swim, suffered on the bike and started the run going backwards

 

Funny!! I also dropped out after 1 lap on the run last year!! I could have finished but had the Argus ahead 1 week later so I quit my only race ever!!

 

Yes I did take some coaching lessons. I can swim and I can also swim without a wetsuit. I is just that I prefer one. Personal choice.

 

I definately see where the other guys are coming from thats all.

 

I believe they should put the wetsuit option in the ahtletes hands (unless its above like 24 degrees...)

[Seeker911]

Ok but I speak from a local point of view. Hopefully one day I can also do Kona!!

 

I also want to do Kona but all this talk of attacking, helpless wetsuitless victims and biting makes me worried let me know which year you going so I can make sure I go the year after . Either that or i'm going for some serious navy seal training before the race then we shall see who the helpless victims are