Jim McCann
WetsuitRental.com was founded in 2006 by Jim McCann. Then-president of the country's largest and most successful triathlon club, the San Diego Tri Club, Jim was witness to a surge in the popularity of triathlons as everyday folks turned to the sport as a vehicle for improving their health and well-being.
With the growing interest in triathlon, Jim recognized a consistent hurdle for folks willing to try their hand at this daunting sport..."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 $200 and go up to over $1,000. 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 WetsuitRental.com started, trying to fill the need of those new to our sport that could benefit from a expensive piece of equipment." And the online triathlon wetsuit rental industry was born.
Unfortunately, during the initial week or so of shock and grief after Jim suddenly lost his life, business took a back seat and we let some customers down. And that’s when we learned the true strength and value of the triathlon community…
With very few exceptions, customers, race directors, wetsuit manufacturers, and competitors reached out with everything from basic forgiveness for our temporary failings to delaying terms on invoices to one race director who actually tore up a dozen certificates for free wetsuits so he wouldn’t have to bother us during the aftermath of our personal tragedy.
And we got it. We truly understood Jim’s passion for and dedication to the triathlon world. Yes, it’s a sport, but that sport has spawned a community of people who work closely together to further something as simple as the health and well being of its members new and old. It’s a world where competitors are the best of friends – on the course and in business. And we’re proud and humbled to be a part of it.