Who owns a Wetsuit?
- Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Who owns a Wetsuit?
Well, I just bought one for an upcoming race I'm hoping to do and I tried it on and it is not easy! What is the secret to putting these things on?? I know we have alot of divers out there! Any advice?
Tracy
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
- Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Tracy, my friend is doing the 1/2 iron man in STX and she said there is definitely a trick to getting those things on right. It has something to do with making sure you get it pulled up enough over your shoulders so that it doesn't pull your arms down. Maybe someone else can give you a better explanation in a more visual kind of way. Good luck, Ali~
STJ - I "get it"
- chicagoans
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- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
That's funny because I was just about to say that it's easier if the suit is wet! I have a tri-suit from long ago when I used to do triathlons (sadly it's been awhile and I probably couldn't get into the thing today.) Seems like it was easier if I dunked it and me in the lake first.Jamestown wrote:Tracy,
The only tip I know is make sure you are dry and the wet suit is totally dry; otherwise, you will have one hell of a time putting it on (personal experience).
Jamestown
If you're wearing a 2 piece bathing suit under it, be very careful removing the wet suit! Or you'll give the guys in the transition area a thrill!

How thick is your wetsuit? If it's a 1/4" thick type (or thicker)--the kind most scuba people use, Jorge's very descriptive instructions will work best. For that type of suit you and the suit should be totally dry, otherwise you'll be tugging all day long with no results.
With my dive suit, which I think was 1/2 inch thick, I found that what helped it fit me best was once I got it on, but before I zipped it up all the way, I'd find someone to grab the zippers on each side of the top part and pull forwards on them while I leaned backwards and flexed my shoulders. This was for diving in MA though, when we wore spaceman-like suits with gloves and face masks and everything.
With my dive suit, which I think was 1/2 inch thick, I found that what helped it fit me best was once I got it on, but before I zipped it up all the way, I'd find someone to grab the zippers on each side of the top part and pull forwards on them while I leaned backwards and flexed my shoulders. This was for diving in MA though, when we wore spaceman-like suits with gloves and face masks and everything.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
If there is one thing about scuba I don't like, it's the wetsuit. It's worse than a workout class in the gym, to get the suit on.
Still I prefer to wear wetsuit, even in warm water like in the VI, because it protects you against all kind of scratches from the coral, jellies, touching the boat or latter when getting in and out from the boat etc. Also, even with this warm water it's nice with a warming suit. This year, I might go for a shortie. I hope that practice will get results, because I keep on swearing (and sweating) every time.
Talk about luxurious problems
Still I prefer to wear wetsuit, even in warm water like in the VI, because it protects you against all kind of scratches from the coral, jellies, touching the boat or latter when getting in and out from the boat etc. Also, even with this warm water it's nice with a warming suit. This year, I might go for a shortie. I hope that practice will get results, because I keep on swearing (and sweating) every time.
Talk about luxurious problems

- Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Thanks everyone - I thought it might be too small, but once I actually get the stupid thing on, it feels fine. (actually quite slimming - like a girdle...nice visual, hey?)
Mine is for a triathlon, so I think it is a little thicker than a diving suit but I don't really know. It is a two piece wetsuit from Desoto. So, once I get the bottoms on I have to work to get the top on too. Maybe I'll try getting it wet once to see if that's easier.
I'm just happy that it's not that I'm too fat for this one!
Mine is for a triathlon, so I think it is a little thicker than a diving suit but I don't really know. It is a two piece wetsuit from Desoto. So, once I get the bottoms on I have to work to get the top on too. Maybe I'll try getting it wet once to see if that's easier.
I'm just happy that it's not that I'm too fat for this one!
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
- Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
I just watched a video on the link below (click on the videos tab). It shows this skinny woman putting on a wetsuit - okay, mine is not even close to that easy to get on. Maybe it is too small.
http://wetsuitrentals.com/
I won't indulge you all with a video of me trying to squeeze into mine!
Tracy
http://wetsuitrentals.com/
I won't indulge you all with a video of me trying to squeeze into mine!
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
They'll make it look easy in a promo video! It's better to have to struggle into it and actually be warm then to go up a size. If it's too big you'll get pockets of water pooling in places that you REALLY don't want them to. BRRR!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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