Some Triathletes Feel Like A Fish Out Of Water… Could Be The Wetsuit

Houston, Texas – In a sport where seconds can mean the difference between medaling and peddling home empty-handed – triathletes relentlessly look for ways to shave time of their overall performance. And yet, one detail that is often overlooked by both male and female competitors is the wetsuit.

According to USA Triathlon (USAT) regulations, competitors are allowed to wear a wetsuit in waters 78 degrees or below. That provides triathletes with ample opportunities, depending on location and time of year, to benefit from a properly fitting, well designed wetsuit.

“I’ve seen very detail-oriented competitors who, for example, wear their biking outfit beneath a wetsuit to save time during the transition, yet they’re using wetsuit they use for surfing,” said Rod Edmonson, a certified fitness instructor and trainer. “It’s far more important to wear a properly fitting wetsuit designed expressly for the sport, than trying to save a few bucks by using the wrong wetsuit.”

When it comes to triathlons, wetsuits aren’t merely designed to retain warmth or make a fashion statement. A properly fitted wetsuit can cut more than 10 seconds off a 100-meter swim by providing both increased buoyancy and hydrodynamics.

“A wetsuit should fit snugly without impeding breathing or movement,” says Edmonson. “If a buddy tells you – your wetsuit looks as thought it were ‘painted on’ – just smile and say ‘thank you,’ it’s probably perfect. Conversely, a loosely-fitting wetsuit created for another sport can end up costing valuable seconds.”

Edmonson says that shopping for the right wetsuit is like shopping for clothes. “The key is to take the time to check out a number of brands, and see what style and brand fits best,” he said. “There are a number of good websites on line today to learn about wetsuits, including TriathlonWetsuitReview.org .”

He added that the better the fit, the more confident athletes often feel wearing the right wetsuit. “And that’s bound to equate to better performances in open waters.”

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Keith Baxter

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