Are you ready for Tri season?
How does your wetsuit fit?
Has your weight changed since last wearing it?
Here are a few key pointers that may help when getting back into your wetsuit if you’re a ‘warm weather’ open water swimmer.
Your wetsuit should feel snug to your body. Tight, but not to the point where breathing becomes laboured or uneasy.
If there are any loose folds in your arms, legs or chest you may begin to get pooling inside your wetsuit which is only going to cause drag.
Another key indicator I have found, is how much free space is under the armpits in your wetsuit. Again, too much free space and water will pool, this may also lead to the neoprene rubbing against itself leading to abrasions in the rubber.
On the flip side, if your wetsuit is feeling a little too snug after Christmas - it may not feel as easy (not that it ever is!!) to get on. You may feel you cannot get the wetsuit up to your groin area, over hips, over shoulders etc.
Should you try and force it on? … Not in my experience! If you manage to get it on, it may only increase the pressure on your joints reducing the amount of movement you have in the wetsuit. This is only going to lead to a detriment in your swim.
When a wetsuit fits right, you’ll know. While swimming, it should feel like the swimming is easier and faster - not slower and heavier.
Hope this helps.
Check out our videos and future posts for more help and advice.