Can you use a surfing wetsuit to do a triathlon?

Question

I'm doing a mini-triathlon in SF (my first) and don't want to buy a new suit just to do the event. 1/2 mile swim. Non-competitive. Can I just use my current full wetsuit?

specs are 4/3 thick, 100% stretch neoprene,

just worried about putting extra wear on the suit and stretching it in the wrong places

Answer 1

just use your wetsuit. 10 years ago, a 4/3 would be uncomfortable and restrictive, but with improvements in neoprene, it's no problem.

Answer 2

Speedo and TYR make specific clothing for triathalons. I would personally recommend the TYR line. I wouldn't use a regular wetsuit because you're going to have a h**l of a time during the biking and running part!

Answer 3

Yes you can but you wouldnt want to. Surf wetsuits are neoprene which is stretchy but main idea is to keep warm. They restrict range of motion which is why surfers try to rough it whenever they can and wear no wetsuit. I can tell whenever i surf that it makes me slowerand mine is a 3.2 mil. I would not want to get stuck in a triathlon and wear a wetsuit.. you would get like 5 times more worn out.. and you would get super hott.... Summery= yes you can but DONT

Answer 4

I surf and swim a lot in SF.  In fact I was surfing at a point break just inside the bay quite recently (I'd prefer not to paste said location all over the internet).  Anyway, I would absolutely wear a 4/3 to surf there, because most time spent surfing is spent sitting with your body half out of the water and not moving.  When you're in the air, the water can evaporate more easily (obviously there is a stronger gradient for evaporation to take place from a wet material to air, than a wet material to water.)  Evaporation is an endothermic reaction, which is what makes you particularly cold (not really the water temp itself.)  When you are swimming this takes place much less.  On top of that, your body is generating and releasing more heat since you are moving.  This heat is trapped in the wetsuit.  When I swim in my 4/3 in the ocean, I am super hot and uncomfortable.  I really think you would be a lot happier in a 3/2.  Try on a bunch before you buy one, as everyone has a different body type.  You want to make sure that when you move your arms and legs in the motion you will do for your stroke that the seams are in comfortable places.  For example, the way Ripcurl lines up their seams absolutely does not work for my body, but many of my friends love those suits.

I just re-read your question right now and I have a counter-question:  Why don't you just go for a swim in that wetsuit in the bay and see how it works?

For more good oppinions I would stop by Wise Surf shop.  It's down on Ocean Beach right at the end of Balboa.  Good luck!