Can I swim breaststroke in a wetsuit?
There are now neutral buoyancy wetsuits and breaststroke wetsuits where the buoyancy is designed to enable breaststroke – traditional wetsuits are too buoyant in the legs, making breaststroke hard and torquing the knees. Modern wetsuits aren’t just warm – they’re engineered for performance. Whether you’re racing in your first sprint triathlon or aiming for a PR in open water, the right wetsuit can help you swim faster, more efficiently, and with less fatigue.A triathlon wetsuit is a specially developed wetsuit designed for use in triathlon. The suit is made of a special neoprene material that provides the wearer with better buoyancy support in the water while reducing friction.The main disadvantage of wetsuits is that they can still be quite cold in colder water temperatures, as they allow water to enter and then warm up against the body. They also require more frequent replacement than drysuits, as the neoprene material can degrade over time.From a health perspective, occasional peeing in a wetsuit is not harmful, provided the wetsuit is properly cleaned afterward. However, from a comfort and hygiene standpoint, it may not be ideal due to the potential for odors.Buy a swimming specific wetsuit With the more continuous motion of swimming, all over thickness of the wetsuit for warmth is not required. Instead, a thinner suit with carefully positioned panels allow more flexibility in areas such as the arms and legs and thicker panels for warmth on the and buoyancy.
What color wetsuit is best?
Scuba divers commonly wear black wetsuits for similar reasons as other water sports enthusiasts: black absorbs more heat, helping to maintain body temperature in cooler waters. Black also tends to be more durable and practical, as it hides stains and damage better than lighter colours. The color black helps retain body heat better than lighter colors, which is helpful for surfers, SCUBA divers, and swimmers who need to stay in the water longer and need optimum temperature regulation.
Is there a difference between a swimming wetsuit and a surfing wetsuit?
Generally, a lower thickness is recommended for open water swimming. As swimming involves more constant movement, your body heat will be higher than when surfing, naturally keeping you warmer. Alongside the overall thickness, where that neoprene is placed also differs between swimming and surfing suits. It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees.If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.Reading the temperature guide Generally, you’ll find yourself using wetsuits that fall in the middle of the spectrum. For instance, a 3mm shortie or steamer is perfect for water temperatures between 18° and 24°C (65° – 75°F) and serves as an ideal high summer suit for the UK and other parts of Europe.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.
How to buy a swimming wetsuit?
When choosing your wetsuit size, prioritise weight over height. Brands like Zone3 design their suits to fit within two size brackets: comfort fit and performance fit. Comfort fit: Ideal for those new to swim wetsuits. It offers a slightly looser fit, making the suit easier to put on and take off. Cotton underwear, for example, is not a good idea: it absorbs water, dries slowly, and can cause chafing as you move. Loose-fitting clothing is also not recommended, as it can bunch up and fold under your wetsuit, which not only feels uncomfortable but also affects the fit of the suit.If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up.Whatever you use your wetsuit for, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Your wetsuit should feel snug and tight all over. If there’s excess material in places like the neck and cuffs, it will let water in and negate all its insulating properties. Don’t be too taken aback by the tightness of a wetsuit.A wetsuit should fit snugly around your body, but not so tightly that it restricts your movement or causes discomfort. Think of it as a second skin – it should feel tight, but not constricting. If the wetsuit feels too tight, it may limit your range of motion and cause discomfort.
Are more expensive wetsuits better?
One of the two biggest differences between an inexpensive wetsuit and one that costs more is the type and quality of neoprene used in its construction: Thinner, more flexible neoprene (that isn’t so delicate it’ll tear with daily use) is more expensive than thicker, inflexible rubber. Generally, a lower thickness is recommended for open water swimming. As swimming involves more constant movement, your body heat will be higher than when surfing, naturally keeping you warmer. Alongside the overall thickness, where that neoprene is placed also differs between swimming and surfing suits.Yes, you can swim in a 5mm neoprene thickness, but it depends on the activity and conditions: Pros: A 5mm wetsuit provides excellent insulation, making it ideal for cold water swimming.Yes, the thicker the wetsuit, the more buoyant it will be. This is because thicker neoprene contains more air bubbles, increasing your lift in the water.Neoprene Tops and Shorts A 1-2mm neoprene top and shorts will give a good extra layer of warmth, more so than thermals and will give your core extra protection. Go for zip free options to wear under wetsuits, so you don’t get marks. Zips can get really uncomfortable when pressed close to you under the wetsuit.
What color wetsuits attract sharks?
Bright colours such as yellow, often nicknamed “yum-yum yellow”, and white can make objects or individuals more conspicuous to a shark’s vision, particularly in dim or murky water. While sharks don’t see in colour, contrast can still play a role in how visible you are, especially in different lighting conditions. Some studies suggest that darker wetsuits can make you more visible against a bright surface when viewed from below, but this does not necessarily increase the risk of attack.At deeper depths, colours like blue and green are still visible, while warmer colours like red and yellow are no longer discernible. Since sharks may have difficulty seeing warmer colours like red or yellow, these colours would not attract them, unlike other marine animals that might be drawn to more vibrant colours.Actually, if you’re planning to dive with sharks, most operators demand that you wear a dark colored suit with no flashy colored accessories! Anecdotally the sharks are attracted to bright contrast things. The industry has a term for this- “Yum Yum Yellow”.SHARK STOP IS THE LEADER IN SHARK BITE RESISTANT WETSUITS Shark Stop wetsuit material has been successfully tested on great white sharks by Australia’s leading shark scientist, Professor Charlie Huveneers. Researchers at the Flinders University of South Australia even published a scientific journal on the findings.Avoid attracting Washington sharks Same goes for intense patterns. The best swimsuit will depend on the color of the water. In darker waters, you’re best off wearing dark colors like black, gray and dark blue. Another contrast sharks will pick up on sometimes is dark tattoos against pale skin.