Why swim in a wetsuit during your triathlon?

• A wetsuit protects against the cold
  You can dress against the cold, it is always said. And that is certainly the case with a good wetsuit and the right accessories. You can swimin theopenwaterwith a wetsuit early on , even if the water temperature is still low. When it is still really cold, you can also opt for extra protection such as: neoprene gloves and neoprees socks
  
  
• Go fasterwith a wetsuit
  A wetsuit gives more buoyancy which makes you flatterand higher in the water, which makes you move more streamlined through the water. For some swimmers it can make a differenceof 10 to 15 seconds per 100 meters. For the technically inferior swimmer the time gain is bigger compared to a technically good swimmer.; 

• With a wetsuit you save energy
  When you swim a race, wearing a wetsuit will save energy, partlybecause you swim more efficiently, but also (especially in the pre-season when the water is still cold) you save energy because you don't get cold as quickly.And you can putthat energy to good use in a triathlon during the cycling and running parts. 

What are the biggest disadvantages of swimming with a wetsuit? 

• Swimming in a wetsuit makes the swim easier, and you might forget to pay attention to your technique. But precisely with a good technique, you have an extra advantage even in a wetsuit, so you can swim even faster. And especially when we start swimming indoors again in the fall, you will notice this difference, so keep paying attention to your technique.
• You are more limited in your freedom of movement in a wetsuit , even though manufacturers do a lot to make the shoulders as flexible as possible. So make sure you havea wetsuit that fits really well and is flexible at your armpits. If sleeves are really a hindrance go for a sleeveless wetsuit.
• If you prefer breaststroke swimming, a wetsuit can be a disadvantage. Breaststroke swimming and wetsuitsare not a good combination.Your breaststroke position is different from your breaststrokeposition ..  

What are the differences in wetsuits? 

• The most common suit is with long legs and long sleeves. There are also suits without sleeves and short-pipe suits without sleeves.
• Brandshave different types: from basic, mid totop-of-the-line. Wetsuits vary mainly in thickness: the thicker, the more insulation, the more buoyancy. But also the stiffer and the less comfortable a wetsuit fits. The fit is refined when a wetsuit consists of more panels. The more panels, the more different thicknesses of neoprene can be used for a better fit. This, then, is where the price difference is.

What is the best way to put on a wetsuit?

• Take your time putting on the suit. Hurry is no use, it will work against you.
• Make sure you always put plastic bags over your hands and feet when putting on your sleeves and legs, it glides better and causes fewer tears in the suit.
• If necessary, take off rings and your watch when putting them on; this prevents damage.
• Use (when your hands are through the sleeves) thin gloves. These allow you to grip the neoprene better and prevent damage from your nails to the neoprene. Sometimes these gloves are even included with the wetsuit.
• The inside of the wetsuit is stronger than the outside. If you must pull, pull on the inside of the wetsuit and not the outside.
• Work from the bottom up. Make sure your legs are snug first and there is no space at the groin and crotch. Make sure everything is snug and, if necessary, pull the wetsuit up a little higher at the calves to create a little more room at the top;
• Make sure that you get all the space at the top so your shoulders will feel supple, also the space in your sleeves needs to go up.
• The legs should be about 15 cm above the ankles and about 10 cm above the wrists,this willgive you more room in your wetsuit.
• Do your sleeves stick to your arms? Then blow air past your wrist into your sleevethe neoprene will come loose from your skin. And the sleeves will be back in place a bit more.
• If you feel there is tension between your skin and the neoprene, gently pull (with your gloves) the neoprene off the skin in several places, this will release that tension.
• Do notuseVaseline to prevent chafing. Sailfish Skin & Neck Protect will do. (Vaseline voids the warranty of the suit because it does not dissolve in water and any repair / gluing of the suit is no longer possible).
• When wearing a wetsuit for the first time, stand up straight. Do you feel like there is too much pressure on your larynx/throat? Then tilt your head back a little, that ' s how you lie in the water. You'll notice that the pressure goes away.  

Swimming in open water (early spring): 

• Never go alone, make sure you have a buddy with you. Especially when the water is still cold, there is a chance of cramping, with possible consequences; 
• Always use a swim buoy in the water. It provides better visibility in the water and is a safer. Should something happen to you, you can hang onto the float and call for help. It is also useful to carry valuables, e.g. your phone or car key.
• For extra visibility always choose a conspicuous swim cap.
• When the water is cold, use extra heat protection such as Neoprene gloves, Neoprene socks or a Neoprene swim cap.
• When swimming with a faster swimmer and you still want to cover a nice distance together consider using flippers.This allows you to still swim together and increases the fun of swimming together in the open water. 
• Pay attention, especially at high temperatures, if there is no blue-green algae in the swimming water. 
• Enjoy swimming in nature!!! 

 Take offa wetsuit . Here are the tips. 

• What you don't want when swimming is water in your suit. But this is exactly what you want when taking off. Especially in a triathlon , it is important that the removal of your wetsuit goes smoothly. So just before you get out of the water, make sure you get a scoop of water in your suit. You do this simply by pulling your wetsuit open at your neck, allowing water toflow in here.
• Once you are on the shore, the trickis to get your zipper open as quickly as possible and get your upper body out of your wetsuit. At most races, you may not remove your wetsuit completely until you reach your bike or changing area. Keep this in mind. When taking the wetsuit off further (your legs) , it is then best to first pull your wetsuit down as far as possible and then quickly pull your feet up. You can also kick out your wetsuit while walking down the stairs. This usually goes fastest.
• Taking off a wetsuit should be less careful than putting it on. Most wetsuits break when you put them on, not when you take them off. You will find that taking off your wetsuit is a lot faster and easier than putting it on. 

Maintenance Wetsuits: 

• Always rinse your wetsuit with fresh water after use.
• Do not let the wetsuit dry in the full sun.
• It is best to fold your wetsuit loosely and not to store it hanging up .
• In case of damage, (often nails which can happen quickly) immediately repair so it does not tear further.
  

View all Sailfish wetsuits here