Triathlon Equipment
Wetsuits Links
Good Wetsuit
Info with Reviews
Article
on the benefits of wetsuits
Rent a wetsuit?
Contact Bill or Wendy Fiske
at billf@firm-racing.com.
Make sure you
contact them early to reserve a suit
Make sure you
know your size!
Wetsuit Q&A (courtesy of Quintana Roo)
How do I prevent chafing?
Chafing is difficult to predict and
some individuals are more susceptible than others. Chafing is caused by
clothing, wetsuits and skin against skin. When skin is wet, it is generally
less resistant to abrasion. Among the common causes of chafing are salty, silty or sandy water, rough or choppy waters requiring
swimming with the head above water and unilateral breathing. Application of
Body Glide in troublesome areas will go a long way towards reducing chafing.
For severe problems with chafing, a high neck Lycra shirt called a rash guard
can be worn under the wetsuit to prevent neck and armpit chafing. Surfers who
spend more than 3 hours in saltwater generally wear rash guards. Rash guards
can be purchased at surf shops and mail order suppliers.
How do I take care of my wetsuit
between races?
Between races or for short periods
of time, the wetsuit can be hung, inside out, on a padded hanger. For periods
longer than a week or two, the wetsuit should be clean inside and out, folded
in half or in thirds and stored in a cool dry place. Crumpling your wetsuit in
the bottom of a race bag will severely reduce its life and performance.
Can I use Vaseline with my wetsuit?
Vaseline and other petroleum-based
lubricants will void the warranty on your QR wetsuit. Petroleum
products destroy the adhesive of the wetsuit's seams and then penetrates
the core of the neoprene, making the suit impossible to repair. Body Glide is
the only lubricant currently on the market that will not damage the neoprene or
the seams of the wetsuit. QR recommends Body Glide for chafe prevention around
the neck and armpits.
Will chlorine damage my wetsuit?
t is OK to swim in a pool during
training, but the suit must be rinsed out with cool fresh water immediately
after your swim and then hung to dry. Remember, however, that chlorine and
sunlight are very tough on rubber products and extensive use in chlorinated All
QR wetsuits will hold up well with bi-weekly use of wetsuit shampoo and
diligent after-swim care.
Can I use my wetsuit for other
activities?
QR wetsuits are made for surface
swimming only. All QR neoprenes are designed to be flexible
and watertight. These smooth-skin rubbers are relatively fragile and are not
abrasion-resistant. Straddling a surfboard or sitting in a kayak or canoe will
stress the seams and break down the neoprene. Free diving in the suit will not
damage the suit, but Scuba equipment could cause chafing and tearing.