Shortie Wetsuit
Triathlon Wetsuit. Please Help!?
Hello all,
I have an "O'neill Reactor Spring Shortie Wetsuit".
Will I be allowed to use this to compete in the Mazda London Triathlon. Because all the pictures i've seen with people competing in triathlons, they're all wearing full body wetsuits.
The wetsuit is this one......
http://www.boardridersguide.com/product/Department_Wetsuits_Mens%20Shorties/1061811998.htm
Please could you reply and let me know, because this is my first triathlon and I am a bit of novice about all of this. lol
Many Thanks
I think it would be allowed - for most of the triathlons that I have done, even those where a wetsuit is compulsory there have been people that were in shortie wetsuits.
However, London might have their own rules. It is a few years since I have done the London Triathlon so I can't quite remember. Why don't you contact them to ask if it will be allowed?
Even if it is allowed, you should definitely think about a specialist tri-wetsuit. Remember you have 1500m to swim, which is a long way. It is really important that the wetsuit doesn't restrict the movement in your shoulders. Tri-wetsuits have very thin material around the shoulders to ensure this, as thin as 2mm, which is not the case for suits made for boarding. There are other benefits too. The full wetsuit will give you more buoyancy than a shortie and so help you keep a good position in the water
A good suit will last you a long time. Mine cost £160 and is coming up to its fifth season. Alternatively, if you think this will be a one-off, you can hire them for the season for about £50.
For More Shortie Wetsuit Info Click On The Blue Links Below To See The Items On eBay
 Neoprene Wetsuit VEST not RASH VEST as INSULATES Mens US $31.56 
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 Ladies WETSUIT Typhoon Pulse Shortie WET SUIT RRP £49 Surf Dive Scuba NEW US $31.64
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 Ultra Stretch 5mm Semi Dry Wet Suit Ultra Span Neoprene Cressi LADIES Comfort US $268.84
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 WET SUIT Shortie WETSUIT Undersuit SEAC Body LADIES new US $47.38
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 LD SMALL LAVENDAR PURPLE SHORTIE WETSUIT BY SKI WARM THE WETSUIT OF CHAMPIONS US $18.55
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 Mens ONeill WETSUIT NWT sz L Scuba Diving Surfing Shortie Full Suit NEW Reactor US $25.00
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 Bare 2mm shortie size Medium US $45.00
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 Cressi COMFORT PLUS Mens 5mm QUALITY Wet Suit JACKET US $158.11
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 NWOT Aqualung Ladies Shortie Wetsuit 12 US $84.00
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 WET SUIT Shortie WETSUIT Undersuit SEAC BODY MENS new US $47.38
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 Osprey Childs Short Shortie Wetsuit Wet Suit by Wilton Bradley 25mm Neoprene US $22.07
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 New Two Bare Feet Entry Shorty Kids Wetsuit 8 Sizes US $15.80
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 ONeil Hammer Shortie Wetsuit Mens XL US $30.00
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 ONeil Hammer Shortie Wetsuit Womens XS US $25.00
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 Never Used Womens Shortie Wetsuit Size 8 US $60.00
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 Seaquest 7mm Ladies Wetsuit Farmer Jane Jacket Sz 8 more like 6 PRETTY US $74.99
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 Speedo Shortie Wetsuit GUC US $6.99
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 7mm IST Mens Quality One Piece Scuba Diving Snorkel Wetsuit SM Black Silver US $139.98
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 Atlan 2MM Kids Shortie Wetsuit Childs Size 8 10 US $34.99
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 Overtons Womens Shortie 2 mm Wetsuit US $14.99
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Do I need a full wetsuit for sailing in winter?
I'm sailing in April, May and July and I'm planning on getting a wetsuit. Should I get a shortie and then wear a fleece, windbreaker or rashie OR should I a full suit?
Full suit. Keeps you warmer and is more comfortable. Get a 3/2 so you can move well. Rip curl makes the best wetsuits. HAVE FUN!
The triathlon wetsuit has become much more than a warm layer for use in swimming. It creates certain advantages, that most likely outweigh any disadvantages, to your swimming phase of the triathlon. These pluses and minuses should be weighed individually with regard to your situation--there are several guidelines to follow.
The most obvious advantage is it's insulating ability, especially since water can drain your body heat quickly. Generally you are adding 3-5mm of neoprene insulation to your body. Additionally, it contributes to more efficient movement through the water. Since the outer layer of a tri suit is designed to reduce drag, you may find increased speed without an increase in effort. The nature of it's design also contributes to its buoyancy. The closed cells reduce weight and help you swim on the surface.
Unfortunately, you cannot grab any wetsuit off the rack. Your diving and surfing suits are engineered for different functions that will work against you in a triathlon. Thickness can add some bulk and detract from any flexibility. Your suit should have excellent flexibility around the arms and shoulders, otherwise you are wasting serious amounts of energy to propel yourself through the water. Check for variations of thickness. You may find that certain suits can use thinner material in different areas that are less susceptible to heat loss or areas that may be hampered by inflexibility and suit bulkiness.
There are several guidelines around picking your wetsuit. Fit is a major consideration. If the suit doesn't fit well, you will either be uncomfortable, create extra drag on each stroke, or suffer a combination of the two. Body Glide or something similar is recommended if you don't already have some. You'll appreciate it later. The zippers and seals should be scrutinized for ease of use. Check any seams, are they uncomfortable now? That will intensify as you race. Remember, you have to get out of your suit quickly. Races can hinge on seconds wasted or gained in transition.
Race day conditions dictate your choices as well. Generally, the water temperature should be below 78F/26C or you may not be credited as an eligible racer. Shorty suits may seem to be a good choice, but you have to consider your efficiency with a full suit. Again, water temperature may dictate what's feasible. Finally, focus on your performance. No suit can guarantee optimal results, but it can offer you those incremental advantages during your race.
And now I would like to invite to find more information about triathlon wetsuits when you visit http://thetriathlonwetsuits.com.
From Mike Q. Johnson - A former Fortune 500 Marketing/Design guy that's gone on to better things...
Many thanks for reading our Shortie Wetsuit article
