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Jim McCann, founder of WetsuitRental.com, passed away suddenly June 20th 2007 from to a stroke. Jim was 46 years old. Jim joined the Triathlon Club of San Diego in 1988. He was Race Director from 1997-1999. He had been the club president since 1999 during which the club grew from a few hundred members to over 1800 members. If you woud like to read more about Jim and his inpact on the community, please visit Jim's Wall at http://www.aquathlon.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=15&Itemid=48.
In his own words:
A little more about me, why not. I did my first triathlon in 1987 and have been a triathlete ever since. I'm in my 8th year as president of the Triathlon Club of San Diego. Check out our website if you have the time, http://www.triclubsandiego.org/. After seeing thousands of new triathletes start in the club, I realized it was a good thing when a new triathlete wore a wetsuit in open water. Prior to becoming the club president, I ran the club races for three years. If I could just get a wetsuit on all the new triathletes for their first race, I wouldn't have to worry about one thing -- they couldn't sink! The warmth the wetsuit provides from the cold water also cuts down on people hyperventilating the first hundred yards or so. The main issue which prevents people from wearing a wetsuit is the cost of a new wetsuit and the lack of rental options. New wetsuits start at about $189 and go up to $599. For the new triathlete who doesn't know for sure if this sport is for them, it's hard to justify spending that kind of money for a piece of equipment they might only use once.  So for little money, you can rent a wetsuit that will fit you properly. You might even enjoy your swim and go on and have a great time in your race. So that's how the wetsuit rentals started, trying to fill the need of those new to our sport that could benefit from a expensive piece of equipment.
Jim McCann
 
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Our New Store!

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 WetsuitRental.com Storeto...

    • Rent a wetsuit ,
    • Buy a used wetsuit, or
    • Shop for open-water swim accessories!

Try before you buy!

Rent a triathlon specific wetsuit for your next race to see what all the hype is about. Stay warm, gain confidence, and take minutes off your swim time!  Used suits are also available for purchase at a nice discount.  Your $40 rental fee will be deducted from the cost of a purchase.

From our Customers...

General FAQs about wetsuits...

Why Should I Wear a Wetsuit During My Triathlon?

Increased speed, warmth, and safety are but a few of the advantages of wearing a made-for-triathlon wetsuit in an open water swim. Triathlon wetsuits are designed for maximum buoyancy and total range of motion in the arms. Wetsuits' biggest advantage is that they keep you warm -- so warm that there are regulations at most triathlons that wetsuits can't be worn if the water temperature is greater than a certain level. Many triathlons would not happen at the time of year they do if it weren't for the wetsuits which athletes use.

Because of the wetsuits, you'll now find triathlons being offered with water temperatures in the 50s and low 60s. A third advantage of wearing a wetsuit is added safety. With a wetsuit, the risk of hypothermia is greatly reduced. With the added buoyancy, it is nearly impossible to sink. While wearing a triathlon type wetsuit in open water, stop moving your hands and feet and you'll float upright with the water at about neck/chin. Amazing!

What is the difference between a wetsuit made for surfing and a triathlon wetsuit?

A triathlon wetsuit is designed and made for swimming. It's thick in all the right places (for warmth and bouyancy) and thin in all the right places (for optimum range of motion and comfort). The inside seams and collar are stitched in a way to minimize chaffing. Surfing wetsuits are designed with the assumption the wetsuit will be coming into contact with the board. The rubber is less supple and tougher than a triathlon wetsuit. Since it's not designed for swimming, it's not thick in all the right places and thin in all the right places. Wearing a surfing wetsuit in a triathlon swim would be like doing the bike portion of the race on a beach cruiser. 

What are the differences between a wetsuit with sleeves and one without sleeves?

A wetsuit with sleeves is usually referred to as a full suit. Full suits will keep you warmer and are said to be faster. But, the Ironman Canada course record was broken using a sleevless wetsuit. The sleeveless wetsuit, usually referred to as a sleeveless or john, will feel more comfortable in the water than a full suit. Our rule as to when to wear which suit is: if the water temperature is 63 degrees or lower, go with a full suit. If it is 64 degrees and higher, go sleeveless.

What brand of wetsuits do you carry?

Our inventory includes a wide variety of wetsuit brands including 2XU, Blue Seventy, Nineteen, Orca, Rocket Science, Aquasphere and DeSoto.  Because we do sell the used rental suits and are constantly replacing those suits, our inventory is very fluid.  You will always find top name brand suits in great condition with WetsuitRental.com.  Because sizing charts vary from brand to brand, having such a wide selection of brands available makes it possible for us to fit almost anyone.

 I've never worn a wetsuit before. What can I expect?

The first thing you'll notice is that it's tough to get on. Then you notice once it's zipped up, it feels really tight and restrictive. The collar around your neck is also tight. If you're trying it on and the air temperture is hot, it's really difficult to get on and you'll start to heat up really fast. Solutions: The wetsuit needs to be put on slowly and deliberately. It's not the easiest thing to put on, but with care, you'll do it. It needs to be tight to keep the water out. From land into water, it will lossen up a bit. The collar needs to seal in order to prevent water from coming in at the neck. It might feel tight, but eventually you'll get used to it and won't even notice. Wetsuits are definitely easier to put on when the weather is cool, like in the morning when all triathlons tend to happen. As a general rule, keep the wetsuit down around your waist until you get to the water's edge and are ready to get wet. Then zip it up and jump in. About the worst place to try on a wetsuit is indoors. You need air flow which means outside and best when it's cool.

Go to our new online store to place an order for a rental wetsuit!