Wetsuit vs. Skin: Three Reasons Swimmers May Choose a Wetsuit

To wetsuit, or not to wetsuit?

Making the decision between using a wetsuit or “going skins” can be difficult. With temperatures surrounding Alcatraz Island often colder than those near our dock at the Berkeley Marina, new Odyssey Alcatraz swimmers get a very quick and chilling wake-up call the second they jump in from the water taxi.

We asked Odyssey Open Water Swimming coaches for tips and advice on several topics. Due to the in-depth responses we received from Coach Christina, we’ll be releasing several, starting with three reasons swimmers may choose to wear a wetsuit instead of “going skins.”

When asked about advice on wetsuits, Coach Christina says you may want to choose a wetsuit over “going skins” for one of three main reasons, including cold intolerance, cold adversity, and speed.

Let’s dive in.

Cold Intolerance

Is your body acclimated to the bone-chilling cold temperatures of the San Francisco Bay?

“People with a natural or developed cold tolerance have the ability to use stored body fat to create warmth and can, therefore, stay immersed in cold water longer. Some people are able to swim year round in the bay without the neoprene, while others chose the layer of warmth year round, and others, like myself, swim much of the year “skins” and don the wetsuit only when absolutely necessary. The most noticeable sign that your own cold tolerance is being tested is when you continue to feel cold even an hour or two after swimming. This is when, in fall, I know that the temps have dropped to a level where I have to swim for shorter distances or put on my wetsuit.”

Cold Adversity

How does it feel when you dive into cold water?

There’s a big difference between tolerating swimming in cold temperatures and enjoying it, according to Christina. “If you are miserable enough just getting into the water that you feel like you are not having fun, you should try a wetsuit; I think wearing a one is always better than skipping the experience entirely,” says Christina.

Speed

During countless tests, wetsuits have proven to improve your speed. You may experience around a 5-10 second time savings per hundred meters with a wetsuit versus “going skins.”

“For most people, the buoyancy of a wetsuit can make their stroke faster – especially if you have dense runner/biker legs (I’m looking at you, tri people),” says Christina. “This is often a reason for someone to pick up a wetsuit, any time of year – just as long as they don’t get too hot out there!” she continues. 

Stay tuned for additional insight from Coach Christina and other Odyssey Open Water Swimming Coaches!