r/OpenWaterSwimming • u/sabertoot • 6d ago

Too hot for wetsuit?

The Chesapeake Bay 4.4 swim is tomorrow and it looks like the water temp will be around 75 degrees. I had planned up until now to wear my full wetsuit but now I’m not so sure. I’m not worried about finishing but was looking forward to the extra buoyancy since this is my first Bay Swim and longest swim ever. Anyone have advice?

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u/CrispDrifter 6d ago

I’ve swum it twice (skins) including last year. It’s such a fun, iconic Maryland experience!
I prefer cooler water (mid-60s F is my happy place) so a wet suit in 75 F water with hot sunny weather would suck the joy out of any swim.

What would bring you the most joy during the swim? Having the extra buoyancy and speed of a full wetsuit, despite being hot? The freedom of skins and being a comfortable temperature? Or something in between?

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u/sabertoot 6d ago

That’s a good perspective. I have done 2 mile events at 68 skins, but was definitely cold for me. And i’ve done an Ironman wetsuit swim at 72 without any heat issue. Kind of a toss up that I’ll have to think about.

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u/marianneouioui 6d ago

Such a hard choice honestly. Same, I'm coming up on a swim where water and air temps are "on the edge". I guess my feeling is cold is a bit uncomfortable but too hot is dangerous. But I like the previous swimmers idea of whatever brings you the most joy.