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Discussion: Getting out of the wetsuit
Subject: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Tim C. Written on: 2006-05-03 16:09:25 Message: I just bought my first wetsuit (full lenght sleeveless) and have used it twice. I am comfortable in the water, but seem to have difficulty getting my feet out of the wetsuit. What is the best approach to getting out of the wetsuit from the water? From the water to t1, I would unzip the back and get the suit down to my waist. Then what? I have put body glide on my legs from the calf down to the ankle. I can't seem to get out of it quickly. Curious if there is a method that works well.
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-04 01:04:29 Message: This is what I do. If the air is cold I wear the suit to the transiton then strip it. If the air is warm I pull up on my ziipper cord ( my suit zipper quick releases and falls open at the back) then run to transition and strip it at transition (if it is hot I might pull the suit off of my shoulders). - I find that stripping on the run is exhausting and that I can not strip fast or run fast at the same time. Ankles are the most difficult you will just have to try it a bunch to see which works best for you. Practicing these things is very important because after a hard swim you may be shakey maybe a little daized and confused and will not be able to stand on one foot for much more than second at a time. You may even need to sit on your towel. I use pam heavily everywhere that the suit should be able to move shoulders and shoulder blades, entire arm, hips calves, ankles and feet. I don't cook with the stuff but go through a lot of it. During the summer I use the suit one or two times per week like this and have had no problem with the suit or my skin. I do rinse my suit in the shower after every use then let it dry before putting it away. Ron
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: john p. Written on: 2006-05-04 06:13:33 Message: Pam? wont it hurt the suit, like break down the neoprene? I have never used my suit in the open water yet. Only in the pool but pulled it off over my feet while sitting down. Not to much problem but like I said i have not been in a race with it yet. Time will tell I quess.
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Amy C. Written on: 2006-05-04 10:48:24 Message: I pull off to side on the way to the transition, sit down and rip it off - I've tried many options, this seems to work the best for me! Good Luck! NYMom
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-04 11:07:53 Message: John, The Pam has been no problem and I have had my suit for many years now. I do not use my suit in a pool. You need to rinse your suit well or the pool chemicals could damage your suit. Ron
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Mike M. Written on: 2006-05-04 12:45:38 Message: don't forget that shaving your legs and using your bodyglide, PAM, or Butt'r cream very liberally on your lower legs will allow the ankle cuffs to slide a little easier. I push my my suit down to my ankles where it will bunch, I then sit/stand on one leg and pull the cuff over my ankle and heal one at a time. Hope that helps Mike
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Bill D. Written on: 2006-05-04 13:40:50 Message: Pam will damage the wetsuit and void any warranty. Shave and use Body Glide
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-04 15:12:44 Message: I have been using Pam and have had my suit more than 6 years. So I just Googled "Wetsuit Pam" to see what other had to say about this. This site even recomends it, as well as many others. http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/wetsuit.shtml Things that will damage it are petroleum based products, direct sunlight, excessive heat and chlorine also don't leave it laying in a clump or put it away wet. I think being careful about rinsing may have helped as I expect vegetable oil could get nasty if left to rot. I don't remember what the warranty said. Ron
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: john p. Written on: 2006-05-04 16:35:32 Message: I only used the suit once in the pool as I was anxious to try it out. I will not do that again and I did rinse it well. Still cool here in New Brunswick Canada for outside swimming. prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I dont seem to have a problem getting it off. I had pushed it down to my ankles and then rolled it over them. After the use in the pool i rinsed real good and then hung it to dry and have it hanging on a large frame plastic hanger. Hope it works this way. Looks okay.
Subject: RE: Getting out of the wetsuit By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-05-04 17:00:16 Message: I was lucky - they had "strippers" at the one and only time I was able to use a WS last Oct. It was great - they just pushed me down on my behind and stirpped it off of me - through it at me and I was off - I was hoping that happened in most of the races - guess not. Of course when I first put it on before the swim, I had it on back wards - some hotshot tri guy kind of smirked and told me about it. I had to sit down and embarrassed - changed it around - took forever - do you think he offered to help me? not a chance. I guess trial and error and lots of experience as has been said in most of the above postings. Mary C
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