Many thanks to those folk who replied. This is, is like any other new venture, so difficult when making choices, but, after speaking to a really helpful manufacturer and folk who do use wetsuits for different reasons, at different times of the year. I have one on the way. Not too sure how it is all going to work out, but now I do have, ( hopefully), the choice to swim outdoors, all through the year!
Running wise, I am on Week3 of Bridge to 10K again; when I do reach 10K , and move forward, I may feel qualified to post on here once more
Thanks again x
Hi people.
Well, am not running fit enough to be on here at all currently, just crawling back up to 10K, but I have a question.
I am taking up late season and early season swimming again.. the sea, Llyns and rivers in north Wales. I have had some great advice from a wetsuit manufacturer, re- size and thickness...( who knew I would ever be an XS), but has anyone who has done Triathlons , regularly swims outdoors, or anything that involves open water swimming, got any recommendations at all ? I am getting swamped with the number of makes out there!
I am not thinking of any combined running and swimming challenges, but last time I came on here I and asked an odd question, I did end up doing a Half Marathon... never say never?
Thanks,
Floss x
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I've tried swimming in them but the palava of getting in and out takes away the spontaneous stripping off and going straight in at the end of a run. I think the one I had was a surfing one anyway so too thick.
I have unfortunately, got to be more sensible than I used to be for Winter swimming .Spring and Summer is different. The group I am going to be swimming with on Sundays wear them and at the moment it is cold.
If I was still a size 12 or above I might think about it , but I need to pile some more weight on first!
Thanks for this.... that is one that I have been looking at... I spotted a lady here in wales last year coming from the sea one morning and she said they were fabulous... and not Mega bucks! Some I have looked at... eeek!I'll take a look!
I have my after swim robe though, Mr OF bought me that at Christmas
These suits are pretty tricky to put on, but I found I got the hang of it fairly quickly. Be careful because they are really easily damaged by fingernails! I took to putting socks on my hands when pulling mine on 😂
Thank you... I am hoping that the group I will be with ( they are so friendly and supportive), will be helpful.. They invited me to join then as I was running one morning.. I stopped to chat and was due to swim the next week and the pandemic happened! They are called the Woolly Hatter Group!
Just want to keep doing what I enjoy doing and this seems an option for now... hopefully late Spring and Summer will find me in my normal swimsuit...I need to get a little chunkier... x
I would think the greatest consideration is the thickness of the neoprene.
There are plenty of surfers on the Llŷn in the summer (especially at Porth Neigwl/Hell's Mouth), but what they're wearing is usually summer thickness nylon faced neoprene rather than trisuits.
The difference seems to be that trisuits tend to be smoother, without the nylon protective layers, with extra flexibility at the shoulder joints.
For winter use, surfers would probably be looking at drysuits rather than wetsuits!
I'm not an expert, though. I don't even like to get my feet wet at the shore!
Thanks Sue.. weirdly, when I always swam in West Wales on New Year's Day, it often, because if the ambient temperature out of the water, felt warmer than in Summer.
But combining common sense ( gulp) and Mr. OF's reluctance to do any sea rescue I think this is the way to go for now.
I love sea swimming and the company of like minded folk who have been doing this for a long time seems a safe option through the colder months?
My mate has just taken the plunge too. She lives practically on the beach and started off paddle boarding. She met some winter swimming ladies and they invited her to join them at their swims. She has a short sleeved, knee length wet suit. She wears rubber ankle boots . She’s got the dry coat too You’d have to 🥶😁
I have the after-swim robe already ..Christmas gift! I very always swum in the sea, even in October...but..since losing so much weight ..I feel the cold more ..I was out running when I got invited to join them..x
I’ve put 8 pounds on and am struggling to shift it. Being benched isn’t helping 🙄.
My friend has got more used to the freezing North Sea pretty quick. Having the robe to put on once out of it the wet suit is key. Fortunately she’s within yards of home. She has life vests for her dogs and they’re happy to go in with her 🙂
I won't...I am trying to put the weight back on for running...but the overworry blip raised the cortisol levels which caused weight loss loss because I don't eat stuff which puts weight on fast..its hard. But I am getting there!It also caused a pre diabetes result..which has settled now...!
I don’t know about makes OF but there are some types that have a lining which helps get them on and off when wet - otherwise they tend to hermetically seal themselves to you! Or is it just me that has that problem?!
I will let you know.. I'm hoping it will be waiting for me when we get home. roseabi has already given me some tips about zips! I am going to have to take Mr. OF with me everywhere I am swimming
Good luck with it. Hubby bought me a wetsuit for Christmas but I haven't tried it yet, sticking with a bikini for now. We have a lady in our group who is very thin and we did have a day where she stayed in too long and we needed to help reward her. She was OK in a few hours though, she just forgot to watch the time. The key thing is to pay attention to your body and its signals 👍🏻
I once stayed out a bit too long and got really really cold - I only had a 5 minute walk home but I was struggling because I was shivering so much! There's a thing called "after drop" I later found out, where the core temperature continues to fall after you've finished swimming (or running in fact):
Yes! It happens when once we’ve stopped running. I couldn’t warm up last week when my car broke down. I got so cold even in the car I had a warm bath and then got into bed 🥶
Goose grease seems to have fallen out of fashion. Might be due for a comeback 🙂
Talking about goose grease, do you remember the Victoria Wood sketch about her character swimming the channel? I loved her 😍 but you wouldn’t get away with the sketch nowadays …..
Yes I do indeed. I love her stuff 🥰. Yep, I thought of her when I posted it.
The world is a lesser place without her in it. I was reading about places local to where I’m headed in May, and came across a shop called Acorn Antiques. I was checking out running routes of course 😀
Thanks for this..this us why I want the wet suit and Mr OF bought me a super warm dry robe at Christmas. The group have given me loads of tips too..incuding a hot water bottle under their clothes in their kitbag which means they are warm to put on?
Yea, for really cold days I have those reusable hand warmers (with the little disc inside you click and they go hot) I tuck 2 in my waistband, one front, one back, to help with the warming. I don't use a bottle but do have lots of layers, including waterproof trousers to cut the wind (if any) and 3 jackets.
Of mountains and more 😀. You’ll be fine with those. My running nemesis wears all their stuff. She’s probably one of their runners. Last time I clapped eyes on her she was wearing a Kamleika jacket.
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