Wetsuit for Steelhead 70.3? MI

Laura Searle

Hello- I am planning on doing the Michigan 70.3 Steelhead on the West side of Michigan on Aug 13. The water temp is usually around 70-73 degrees in Lake Michigan. I am a former collegiate swimmer, so it's my best event of the 3 (better than my bike/run). I have never swum in a wetsuit- I usually do open water races without one in that temperature. However, I'm wondering if it's worth the extra buoyancy, etc., if it's a wetsuit legal event (which it usually is). I'm wondering, though, if it will change my form. 

IF I do get one, does it make sense to get the armless one so I have better feel and range of motion?

Thanks for any advice you can give! I've done a sprint and olympic tri but I didn't bother with the wetsuit either time- the water was interior lake. I'm thinking that it might be worth getting one just for training- I go to Chicago quite a bit and they have swim lanes all along Lake Michigan, but in May/June the water is quite cold, in the 60's. Our interior lakes take awhile to warm up too...

Shaughn Simmons

I used a DeSoto T2 for many years, had no issues and upgraded to ROKA about 2 years ago.  Going to be hard to be the ROKA value considering the EN discount, the quality of the suit, the improved flexibility in the arm movement, ability to get the suit off fast during a race transition, etc....

I recommend you try on a few different brands if possible to confirm ROKA is best for you.

SS

Laura Searle

Thanks Shaughn! Did you get the full arm or armless? 

Ellen Sauter

If you can afford it, you should go with a full suit.  You should also practice, practice, practice in it because your body position will change.  A correct fitting wetsuit should take you about 10 minutes to put on correctly, so keep that in mind when trying out various sizes.  Since you are a good swimmer, you want to make sure the arm/shoulder area fit you properly.  Rule of thumb - if the swim is wetsuit legal - wear one.  

Al Truscott

A full wetsuit is always faster than either sleeveless or none (in wetsuit legal temps.) One thing to be aware of...former elite swimmers, especially sprinters, tend to have a very powerful kick, which negates some or all of the buoyancy value of the wetsuit - may even get in the way of a good 1900 meter swim. De Soto (as mentioned by SS) is a two piece, and makes a shortie bottom - either shorts, or knickers, basically - designed for just these people. Might also make you feel more comfortable with the idea of wearing a wetsuit when you are not used to it in 70+ water.

https://www.desotosport.com/collections/speed-collection

Shaughn Simmons

I purchased the full wet suit.  Al and Ellen make wise points....

SS

Laura Searle

@Shaughn Simmons So I got the Roka (Elite II) full suit and am waiting for it to arrive. They said I could try it out and return if it doesn't fit. My question is: What is the coldest water temp that is recommended? I emailed the company too but haven't heard. I'd like to try the suit out in the late spring, but in Mich the water temps are pretty cold...

Jeremy Behler

If the temps legally allow a wetsuit then wear it. 

Last year was was the first year ever that it wasn't a wetsuit legal swim in the history of the race.  

Statistically it is highly probable he 2017 swim will be wetsuit legal

Laura Searle

@JeremyBehler Yes I plan on wearing it for the race. I was wondering for training- when can I start wearing it? What is the coldest temp?

Jeremy Behler

@Laura Searle your own comfort will be the limiter.   I can swim in a wetsuit in the mid/upper 50s.  Admittedly the first minute or two is chilly but then I warm up quickly.   Most folks are comfortable down to at least the mid/low 60s.

Shaughn Simmons

@Laura Searle - @JeremyBehler said it.   Wear the suit if it is legal.  Lake MI water can be damn cold so I can't imagine it would not be legal.  Can you try the suit out before the race in the water if possible?  Additionally, during cold swims, there are both bootties and head covers you can acquire for additional warmth which you may want to consider if water temps are below 60.  Personally, I have only swam from mid 60s to 80 degree waters in my races.......

Let us know how the dry run goes.

SS

Laura Searle

@Shaughn Simmons Yes I'm definitely going to wear it during competition if legal. My questions was more about training- I go to W Michigan quite often and would like to do some open water training in the big lake or some smaller ones. I was wondering what the lowest water temperature is that I can safely use the wetsuit. I'd like to do several, if not more, training swims to get a feel for it. Chicago has a really cool swim lane along Lakeshore Drive that I have used without a wetsuit, and I've seen people in there pretty early in the spring!

@JeremyBehler Are you sure Steelhead wasn't wetsuit legal last year? that would be unusually high water temp for Lake Michigan.

Anyway, thanks for your help! Have you ever used the booties? Do they limit your kick?

Shaughn Simmons

@Laura Searle
I have never used booties, never needed them but might need them if the water temp was closer to 60 or below....Logically, I would not worry about the booties compromising my kick too much given I really limit my kicking effort in both HIM and IM distance racing.  Now, I am not the swim authority in this haus, @JeremyBehler is a fish whereas I am more of a brick, @Coach Rich and @Mike Roberts are swim examples of how to train and execute as well.  However, given the swim is ~10% of my day during both and HIM / IM, I save that kicking effort for the bike and the run for the most part.

I am assuming you'll do the training swims in the lake with a partner vs. solo.....

SS

Laura Searle

@Shaughn Simmons Thanks for the info! Even though I'm a former sprint swimmer, my kick is pretty nonexistent when I'm going long distances, just to stabilize, so good point.

If I can find a partner that can keep up with me, I'll use them. Haha- just kidding- someone will either go with me or paddle next to me They can also walk next to me in Chicago along the breakwall- cool!

Yvette Metz

@Laura Searle
I racing Steelhead this year.
I live in Troy,MI. If you are in town look me up. You can swim in the lake with our group.

Laura Searle

@Yvette Metz I live in Troy too! Let me know about the group please!

Trish Marshall

Laura Searle said:

@JeremyBehler Yes I plan on wearing it for the race. I was wondering for training- when can I start wearing it? What is the coldest temp?

The coldest water you can stand!  I am a cold water wimp.  My hands and feet have rynauds like issues.  BUT, I live in SE MI and a friend got 15 minutes in this April with booties, and webbed gloves.  I really don't like swimming in less than 67-68 degrees.  The race isn't till August so you have plenty of time to get acclimated to it.  I believe you can swim in a pool the ROKA to test it.  Just make sure to really rinse it well post swim to remove chlorine.