Swim With Wetsuit

Swim With Wetsuit

Diving suits trap thin layers of water between your skin and the suit, which makes your body go warm, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club. Commonly made of neoprene, these suits can be designed full length, at knee height or they can only include the top or bottom. As they adapt to the shape, neoprene suits can vary in thickness from 0, 5 millimeters to 5 millimeters or more. The thicker the neoprene layer is, the more heat you will store when you swim.

Get ready to warm up

The proper thickness of the wet suit partially depends on where you swim. The Appalachian Mountain Club states that if the water temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit or more, neoprene suits must measure between 0.5 to 2 millimeters thick. If the water has a temperature lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will need a suit between 4 and 5 millimeters thick. If you swim in cooler waters, you will need a full body dry suit, which does not allow any type of water to enter, especially in the wetsuit. Body Glove states that it can take between 3 and 10 minutes for the first layer between your body and the suit to warm up. If you swim in colder water, opt for a wetsuit "invisible seam", where the seams are glued and then join to prevent more water.

Take into account the oppression

Although neoprene suits keep you warm while swimming in cold water, they also limit your movement a bit. The Appalachian Mountain Club explains that neoprene suits are often designed to be thinner and more flexible in areas where movement is more comfortable, for example, on the shoulders and arms. Although they conform more to the shape to keep you more warm, you are more likely to have less freedom of movement, which can decrease your speed during swimming competition events. However, if the suit is too loose, a lot of water can enter between your body and the wetsuit, causing chills in your body and creating a drag that will also decrease the speed of your swim.

Element Protection

Because neoprene suits are thick and cover your skin, they can offer some protection from external elements while swimming. For example, if you swim downstream after kayaking, the wetsuit can help protect your skin from being hurt by rocks, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club. If you surf and swim, the neoprene suit will provide some protection from the rocks and coral reefs that are inside the sea. However, the protection of hard or sharp surfaces is not the main function of the neoprene suit, therefore, there is still the possibility of injury.

Fit to swimming style

Wearing a wetsuit may require slight adjustments in the way you swim, according to the U. S. Masters Swimming. Because you float more, you may have to kick less to stay afloat. Opt for a fixed and narrow kick to reduce drag and maintain energy levels. Use a more complete rotation when giving strokes to avoid creating more drag on the shoulders. And it hits more slowly, since the wetsuit eventually absorbs more water, which makes swimming more difficult. You need to reserve your energy to swim the desired distance.

Video Tutorial: Swimming in wetsuits for triathlon - my thoughts and tips.

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