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Help with wetsuit swimming

Posted on 11/11/2008 at 16:39

I have been training for a couple of months in a pool, for the Harbour crossing this Sunday - swimming 2.5km in just under 1hr 15min. I bought a wetsuit on Friday because everyone says it is so much better, & tried to do a race simulation on Saturday - total disaster! I completely froze up mentally, felt like I couldn't swim properly, that I was being strangled. It was totally different. Is this normal? Do I have time to get used to the wetsuit in time for Sunday or would I be better off either swimming without one or laughing off the race completely? Help!

Replies

Posted on 15/11/2009 at 21:44

I also froze the first couple of times swimming in the ocean after buying a wetsuit. I had got over it by going out to Takapuna a couple of times last week and just spend a few minutes relaxing in the water and getting used to the suit and the temperature.Then start off swimming slowly and then build up to speed. I manged the race simulation in the weekend without any problems..just relax.. You can do it! ....Good Luck

Posted on 12/11/2008 at 00:23

You have two options, and laughing off the race isn't one of them. The first and best option is to put the wetsuit aside and swim without one this time. I've swum the race twice without a wetsuit and once you get started you don't even notice the cold. You know you can do the distance so if you choose this option you know you'll finish the race. The other option is to try to get used to the wetsuit. Pull it right up so its as loose as possible round your shoulders and neck, relax in the water, enjoy the bouyancy and take long slow strokes. There is, however still the risk that you will freeze up mentally with the wetsuit on. See you at the finish.