Everything You Need to Know About Swimming Wetsuits for Beginners

Swimming wetsuits are essential gear for open water swimmers, triathletes, and those venturing into colder waters. Whether you’re just starting or looking to upgrade your gear, understanding how to choose and use a wetsuit can significantly enhance your swimming experience. In this guide, we’ll cover everything beginners need to know about swimming wetsuits, including how they work, the different types available, and tips for choosing the right one for your needs.

What is a Swimming Wetsuit?

A swimming wetsuit is a specially designed garment made of thick, flexible neoprene material. It fits snugly around your body, providing thermal insulation to help maintain body warmth in cold water and offering buoyancy to keep you afloat. Wetsuits are most commonly used in sports like swimming, triathlons, and surfing, and they play a key role in improving comfort, performance, and safety in open water.

How Does a Swimming Wetsuit Work?

Putting a small layer of water between your skin and the suit is what keeps you warm. As your body heats this water, it forms an insulating barrier that helps retain warmth. This is why wetsuits are particularly useful in colder water, where they keep you warm and prevent hypothermia. Additionally, the buoyancy provided by wetsuits helps swimmers stay afloat with less effort, allowing for better swimming efficiency.

Different Types of Swimming Wetsuits

Swimming wetsuits come in various styles and thicknesses, designed for different water temperatures, swimming environments, and levels of expertise. Here are the main types:

1. Full Wetsuit: This is the most common type and covers the entire body from the neck to the ankles. Full wetsuits are ideal for cold water environments, offering maximum thermal protection. They are typically used by swimmers in colder climates or during triathlons held in open waters.
2. Sleeveless Wetsuit: As the name suggests, this wetsuit leaves the arms exposed, which allows for more freedom of movement. Sleeveless wetsuits are best for warmer water, where thermal protection isn’t as crucial, but buoyancy is still needed.
3. Shorty Wetsuit: This wetsuit offers a short-sleeve and short-leg design, ideal for warm-water swimming. It provides basic protection against the sun, jellyfish, and minor abrasions, but doesn’t offer as much insulation as full wetsuits.
4. Triathlon Wetsuit: Specifically designed for triathletes, these wetsuits are built to offer speed, buoyancy, and flexibility. They usually have thinner material on the arms for maximum range of motion while offering more thickness around the core to help with buoyancy and warmth.

Choosing the Right Swimming Wetsuit

1. Water Temperature: The water temperature will heavily influence the type of wetsuit you choose. For cold water (below 60°F/15°C), a thicker full wetsuit (5mm-7mm) is recommended. For mild conditions (60°F-70°F/15°C-21°C), a 3mm-5mm wetsuit is ideal. Warmer conditions (above 70°F/21°C) often require a thinner wetsuit or even a sleeveless design.
2. Fit: A wetsuit needs to fit snugly, without being too tight or restrictive. If the suit is too loose, it will allow water to flow freely inside, which defeats the purpose of insulation. On the other hand, a suit that’s too tight can restrict your movement. When shopping for a wetsuit, always check the size charts, and if possible, try it on before purchasing.
3. Flexibility: Look for wetsuits that provide flexibility around the shoulders and arms. Triathlon-specific wetsuits, for example, are designed with extra flexibility in these areas to enhance your swim stroke without feeling hindered.
4. Brand Reputation: When selecting a wetsuit, consider well-known brands in the industry for quality and reliability. Sharkskin Australia, for example, is renowned for its durable, high-performance wetsuits that offer comfort, protection, and maximum performance. Known for creating premium wetsuits that meet the needs of serious swimmers, Sharkskin Australia provides options for various swimming environments.

Maintaining Your Wetsuit

If you want your jacket to last for years, you need to take good care of it. Rinse your wetsuit in cold fresh water after each swim to get rid of any bacteria or salt water. Then, hang it up to dry in the shade. Stay out of direct sunlight, as long-term contact can damage the material. When not in use, keep it flat or hung up somewhere cool and dry.

Conclusion

For beginners, choosing the right swimming wetsuit may take some time, but once you find the right fit, it can make a world of difference. Whether you’re swimming in cold waters, training for a triathlon, or simply looking for added comfort and protection, a high-quality wetsuit is an investment in your safety and performance. With options like those from Sharkskin Australia, you can find a wetsuit that suits your swimming needs and helps you feel more confident in the water.