What to wear on non-wetsuit swim.

JeremyBehler

 I'm doing an Oly race next week before jumping into IMAZ training.   I've never done a race that's not wetsuit legal and this race is likely to be my first.  What do I wear?  Just my tri shorts and put my singlet on in transition?  Wear my EN singlet on the swim and save a few seconds in transition? 

Scott Alexander

I'd say wear a singlet and tri shorts for the swim. Don't try putting on a singlet over a wet body, PITA, especially when seconds matter in shorter races!

mattsull

 What Scott said. Tri shorts and singlet.

steveperx

+1 On what Scott and Matt say. The singlet is designed to be worn on the swim.

jburbatt

I did my HIM last weekend in the EN singlet and shorts and was totally fine. Good luck!

Michael Byerts

Don't try to put a top on in T1. Cold, wet hands and body = time wasted. If you have a 1 piece, especially one that doesn't have pockets (like a De Soto Liftfoil), that's really ideal.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Steve Perkins on 14 Jul 2011 12:37 PM

+1 On what Scott and Matt say. The singlet is designed to be worn on the swim.

I would never wear the EN singlet (or any other tri top for that matter) on a non-wetsuit swim.  You'd be surprised how much drag those pockets create.

 

DeSoto 78 Degree top.  No EN reppin' but you'll be faster.

Cary Blanco

I've done non-westsuit swims with and without a singlet on. Here are my completely non scientific observations:



On non-wetsuit swim without wearing a singlet: Putting on singlet while wet was not difficult (for me).



On non-wetsuit swim wearing a singlet: I did not notice any drag (there may have been drag, but I didn't feel like I was being held back).



Over 1.2 miles, I swam aprox. 5 minutes faster with the (2011 EN) singlet on (different course, water, time of year, etc.).



I have since purchased a WTC legal swim skin as I plan to do at least one non-westsuit legal event each year ... plus any surprise non-wetsuite legal ones that were not planned on (looking at you Eagleman).

GMAN 19030

Cary,
There was drag. Think of those pockets like pool skimmers... obviously not as big and exaggerated for effect... but you get the point. They're little water catching air pockets. How much I can't quantify but it's there.