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Discussion: WetSuit Sizing
Subject: WetSuit Sizing
By: Tim M.
Written on: 2006-06-12 14:20:43
Message:
I went for a swim in a rented wetsuit on the weekend and bought the same size and make. I am now questioning the fit and ease of movement with respect to my arms and too much flotation with my legs.

I come from a competitive swimming background and I do not know how much free movement I should have with respect to my arms in a wetsuit. What I found was I couldn’t naturally bend my elbows up to my normal movement. I would have to put a lttle extra energy in to pushing my elbows up. Also, there is an extreme amount of floatation in the legs of the wetsuit, way more then a pull-buoy. I have been told the higher end wetsuits come with less floation in the legs.

I am considering trading up my wetsuit at the place I bought it from, for a higher price suit. I haven’t opened the package it came in and should not have any problems getting a full refund to go towards a higher priced suit.

It seems silly to cheap out the section of the race I should do very well at.

Note: I also have short legs and a longer up body.

Any comments?

Subject: RE: WetSuit Sizing
By: Ronald F.
Written on: 2006-06-12 14:50:29
Message: Tim,

I was comparing my old QR wetsuit with some pros that were using orca's this past weekend. My QR has thicker material in the body and legs than the orca's but my QR has very thin and stretchy material under the arm pits, Shoulder blades, upper back and entire arms.
They were commenting about arm movement being not all that good in their orca's but mine is awesome and precisely why I bought it. The leg floatation is something you will get use to and is actually very fast but other than for stroke balance just forget about the kick.

One thing that I do to help even more with arm movement is to spray my entire arms, shoulders and shoulder blades with pam before each swim.

Try on every brand that you can find, in the store, go through the motions of the swim ( don't worry about looking like an ass) it is worth it. If it doesn't feel right then it is not right, keep shopping all brands are not cut the same, I have wide shoulders and QR was best for me but mine is older and I don't know if they are still made the same way.

In addition I modify my stroke just a little when wearing the wetsuit in order to maximize the fast smooth glide that the wetsuit provides.

Ron

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Discussion: WetSuit Sizing
Subject: WetSuit Sizing By: Tim M. Written on: 2006-06-12 14:20:43 Message: I went for a swim in a rented wetsuit on the weekend and bought the same size and make. I am now questioning the fit and ease of movement with respect to my arms and too much flotation with my legs. I come from a competitive swimming background and I do not know how much free movement I should have with respect to my arms in a wetsuit. What I found was I couldn’t naturally bend my elbows up to my normal movement. I would have to put a lttle extra energy in to pushing my elbows up. Also, there is an extreme amount of floatation in the legs of the wetsuit, way more then a pull-buoy. I have been told the higher end wetsuits come with less floation in the legs. I am considering trading up my wetsuit at the place I bought it from, for a higher price suit. I haven’t opened the package it came in and should not have any problems getting a full refund to go towards a higher priced suit. It seems silly to cheap out the section of the race I should do very well at. Note: I also have short legs and a longer up body. Any comments?
Subject: RE: WetSuit Sizing By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-12 14:50:29 Message: Tim, I was comparing my old QR wetsuit with some pros that were using orca's this past weekend. My QR has thicker material in the body and legs than the orca's but my QR has very thin and stretchy material under the arm pits, Shoulder blades, upper back and entire arms. They were commenting about arm movement being not all that good in their orca's but mine is awesome and precisely why I bought it. The leg floatation is something you will get use to and is actually very fast but other than for stroke balance just forget about the kick. One thing that I do to help even more with arm movement is to spray my entire arms, shoulders and shoulder blades with pam before each swim. Try on every brand that you can find, in the store, go through the motions of the swim ( don't worry about looking like an ass) it is worth it. If it doesn't feel right then it is not right, keep shopping all brands are not cut the same, I have wide shoulders and QR was best for me but mine is older and I don't know if they are still made the same way. In addition I modify my stroke just a little when wearing the wetsuit in order to maximize the fast smooth glide that the wetsuit provides. Ron
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