Wetsuit Rental Safety Tips for Triathlon Swimming

Get annual physicals. And keep your doctor abreast of your activities—particularly any
major changes therein. Ensure that you have no hidden conditions that could be
exacerbated by a high level of physical activity. This is particularly important if you’ve
recently experienced a rapid weight change.

Train well. Recognize that there is a fine line between challenging your body and damaging
it, and always work on the safe side of that line. Train enough to feel mentally and physically
prepared for the big day.

Practice in open-water. Be sure your training includes some exposure to true open-water
swimming. This will help you feel better prepared and much less anxious on race day.

Wear a wetsuit. The suit will provide warmth in cold water and aid in your flotation. This
means that you won’t have to work as hard to stay buoyant as you would without a wetsuit.
The mental reassurance of wearing the suit can also reduce your event day anxiety.

Get into the water before the race. Experience the temperature shock at a time when
you’re not also dealing with the affects of a competition-induced adrenaline rush. Allow
water into your suit. Your body heat will warm the trapped layer of water and provide some
insulation against the surrounding colder water later.

Position yourself carefully. If you’re firmly in the “I-don’t-care-about-my-time-I-just-want-
to-finish" contingent, let the majority of the racers head out first. By staying behind and to
the side of the rest of your heat, you’ll minimize the high stress associated with banging into
other bodies and will be better able to maintain a calmer (slower) breathing pattern and a
longer stroke.

Swimming Saftey

Exposure to cold water constricts blood vessels, forcing the heart to work harder than
normal. Doctors speculate that the stress of jumping into cold water under competitive
Our intention is not to frighten you away from open-water swimming as a means of exercise.
Welcoming physical activity into your life’s routine is a tremendous step toward both mental
and physical health, and swimming is one of the healthiest forms of exercise you can
practice. However, there are things you can do to lessen your risk of injury in a competitive
open-water swim...

Home > Rent a Wetsuit >Swimming Saftey

The journey to physical fitness
is a marathon event—not a
sprint. Please play safe!

Tip