A triathlon race involves three distinct disciplines: a swim, a bike ride and a run. The swim leg is often the most challenging for triathletes, regardless of their fitness or experience level. This is stems from several factors, including cold water and a lack of swimming skills. Triathlon-specific wet suits offer athletes many performance-enhancing related benefits such as added speed and buoyancy.
Get Fitted to your Wet Suit
The best wetsuit on the market will not perform the way you expect if it is ill-fitting. Try on and buy your wetsuit at a store that specializes in triathlons. Experienced fitters can help you select the right size as well as show you how to wear the wet suit correctly. Hydrodynamic panels or features require precision placement on your body to perform as intended.
Train in your Wetsuit
Many new triathletes make the mistake of not including at least one practice swim wearing their wetsuit prior to race day. The importance of getting comfortable putting your suit on and plunging into a cold body of water cannot be overstated. A smooth lake is preferable, but a pool will suffice if that is what is available to you. Swim long enough to get the feel of how your wetsuit changes your stroke and the buoyancy the wetsuit provides. Finally, get comfortable and quick, if that is possible, removing the suit without tearing it, which is difficult to perform under race conditions, unless you practice it.
Flutter Kick
Almost all triathletes of any skill and experience level do the majority of their swim training in a pool, not a lake or ocean. An efficient and powerful flutter kick provides 10 percent to 15 percent propulsion and helps with balance, buoyancy and rotation. Many triathletes use the same flutter kick while wearing their wet suit in a triathlon. However, a much smaller, less powerful kick is required because of the hydrodynamic properties the wet suit provides: increased buoyancy, altered body position and reduced drag. Kick gently throughout your swim, saving needed energy for the bike and run leg.
Lubrication
Your wetsuit will go on and off faster and easier if you use a lubricant, such as Body Glide, Vaseline or Pam Cooking Spray, on your wrists and ankles prior to stepping into your wet suit. In addition, apply to areas where you are prone to chaffing, such as the front and back of your neck, shoulders, under arms, and any other area that feels tight or uncomfortable.
References
- One Tri: Triathlon Wetsuit Buying Guide -- Choosing The Right Wetsuit: Determining The Right Wetsuit For You
- Tri Newbies; Swim: The Rap On Wetsuits In Triathlon Revisited: Race Day Tips: Swim Training In Your Wetsuit; Hazen Kent
- Trifuel; Training: Triathlon Training -- 10 Quick Tips For Using A Triathlon Wet Suit: 7. Kick Gently; Ben Greenfield, March 2010
- Beginners Triathlon Training Secrets; Swimming -- How To Get Your Wetsuit Off Quickly: Wetsuit Tips For Your Next Or First Triathlon; Jake Allen, May 2010
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