Word of advice: avoid trying on wetsuits in summer. You’ll sweat, struggle and be ready to swim in your swimsuit regardless of the water temperature. Ok, so maybe not the last one but believe me, it’ll be a more pleasant experience if there’s a chill in the air rather than 30 plus degrees outside and only a little fan working when you’re trying to slide yourself into a wetsuit. Not that slide is an appropriate term, it’s more of a wriggling and jerking until you get the hang of it.
I didn’t think I’d find a wetsuit before next week with which I’d be happy with. Given the cost and the comfort level of the one I purchased this week, I have to thank the Aqua Shop in Bundall for their fantastic help and patience with me. I was full of questions and silly comments as usual but after an hour in the shop, I was ecstatic with my purchase. I can’t say much the same for my credit card though.
I must admit, at least a dozen times I thought about not bothering. Heck, there’s bound to be other amateurs who omit the wetsuit in the swim. Fortunately, logic and common sense prevailed. If the water was to drop to sub 20, I wanted a suit to keep me at least a little bit warm. The buoyancy will help too.
There are two things you should always have when you’re trying on wetsuits – your swimmers or tri suit and a plastic bag. Why the plastic bag? It makes sliding into the wetsuit, at least your legs and arms so much easier and so much less uncoordinated. I read somewhere about talc powder too, but if you think of the consistency flour and water make, well, I’d keep away from the talc powder. And if you want to go pro, there’s always body glide which won’t ruin your wetsuit (vaseline won’t have the same effect. Anything oil based can ruin your suit and if you’re spending upwards of $300, you don’t want to be ruining your gear.
Tomorrow, it’s time to test it in the water. I can’t wait.
