Has any one tried 'Triathlon' Wetsuits for pool training + warm water freediving

[pelagicbeing]

I am looking for a full hoodless wetsuit for warm water diving (Cuban waters in March / April) and one that i can also use in pool training here in the UK.

I feel that a 3mm suit is going to be too warm, especially for weekly pool training, but its hard to find a full body 2mm wetsuit, let alone one that is reasonably flexible.

Has anyone tried (CW) freediving in triathlon wetsuits? ie. Orca / Snugg / aquasphere etc? there seems to be a mix of 1.5mm / 2mm / 3mm suits around etc. and they would have the elasticity in the chest shoulder area, and more snug and stretchy than a 3mm surf suit.

Does anyone know about the buoyancy shift of the suits at depth? or any obvious probelms with using a Tri suit for warm water free diving?

Any advice would be gratefully recieved!

Pelagicbeing

 

[kiwi chick]

Hello, I use the Orca Predator Tri suit for all my statics & my CW when I can get away with it in NZ waters (not exactly tropical) - I love it because there is no restrictions in the arm/shoulder area because they are made for swimmers. They are smooth skin too...I haven't had any problems although I guess you wouldn't want to play around on rocks etc as the material wouldn't be that durable but other than that I can recommend Orca - that's the only swim/tri suit I've tried...they're pricey though...$1000NZ = $600US...

 

[efattah]

I did my 82m WR in 2001 with an Orca Predator, with a separate 5mm hood. However it is a cold suit, much colder than a standard 3mm freediving suit, and it has nylon on the inside. It is colder mainly because of the back zipper and hoodless design. It has very low buoyancy change though. Do realize that the 2006 Predator is significantly different/improved over the 2001 version.

It does has very good hydrodynamics though.

 

[BennyB]

I bought an O'Neill 3mm no hood surfing wetsuit a few weeks ago. I bought it chiefly for statics but it has a nice seal around the neck so water doesn't get in, and the shoulders aren't too restrictive so it goes well in dynamics too. It was 100 pounds from the marine shop just outside Embankment tube station in London. It's not open cell so it wouldn't be too hot in warmer water.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[oferdegi]

Hi Pelagicbeing!
I've been looking into this issue with similar needs in mind (pool/not-too-cold sea training + good shoulder movement). I googled for 'wetsuit' & 'chlorine' and fell, among lots of other things, upon this:

http://scuba.com/shop/product.asp_category_44_categoryname_Dive+Skins

Check out the polyolefin suit, second from top. I don't know if it's any good, besides being inexpensive + abrasion & chlorine resistant. If anyone can shed a light on this option, I'd be very grateful too.

As for Tri-suits, I heard good things about Elios,

http://eliossub.com/html/en_sport.html

They mention 2-5 mm thickness, but I'm not sure whether they mean suits of different thicknesses, or the different thicknesses within one suit.
Ofer

 

[Tim1]

Check out the polyolefin suit, second from top. I don't know if it's any good, besides being inexpensive + abrasion & chlorine resistant. If anyone can shed a light on this option, I'd be very grateful too.

I can vouch for the Henderson Polyoelfin suits. They are very good value and are effective, neutrally bouyant pool suits. Get the 'superior' version as it is fitted with neoprene knee pads and takes the abrasive scuffs from anti-slip pool floors. Somemetimes I do need to add another layer to my torso and use an O'Neill thermal rash vest

Henderson diveskins are not, AFAIK, available in the UK so I get mine (and all other dive skins) shipped from the Dive Locker in Florida (http://www.divelockerpcb.com/). This makes good sense as skins weigh next to nothing so there are not any heavy shipping charges to consider.

BTW, I normally take XL in (UK) clothing, but need a XXL in the Henderson range of products. Is this a general variation in European / US sizing?

 

[oferdegi]

Many thanks for your response, Tim1 - my question was hanging out there for a while, now. Just shows one should never lose hope!

Another point you may be able to clarify for me is whether this suit is flexible enough, i,e. gives enough freedom of movement in the shoulder area to enable swimming freestyle and doing the 'classic' arms-extended monofin posture.

BTW, I tried the divelocker site, but couldn't find their online store option. Do you just write and ask for info on specific gear?

Thanks,
Ofer

 

[DiverTodd]

I've found the Orca Speedsuits to be a very comfortable, soft and supple suit, too, good for pool work.

Todd

 

[Tim1]

Many thanks for your response, Tim1 - my question was hanging out there for a while, now. Just shows one should never lose hope!

Another point you may be able to clarify for me is whether this suit is flexible enough, i,e. gives enough freedom of movement in the shoulder area to enable swimming freestyle and doing the 'classic' arms-extended monofin posture.

BTW, I tried the divelocker site, but couldn't find their online store option. Do you just write and ask for info on specific gear?

Thanks,
Ofer

The polyoelfin has not restricted any movements for me, but we are all different shapes and sizes...

Just drop them an email. They will take paypal.

 

[oferdegi]

The polyoelfin has not restricted any movements for me, but we are all different shapes and sizes...

Just drop them an email. They will take paypal.

Thanks, I'll do that.

I've found the Orca Speedsuits to be a very comfortable, soft and supple suit, too, good for pool work.

Todd

Yes, an Orca suit would definitely be on my wishlist, but at my current financial situation, it would stay there just about forever :waterwork . I saw one at a triathlon shop (made my mouth water) but that's about as close as it can get. I did manage to keep a straight face when the guy at the shop quoted the price, and told me to call in a couple of weeeks when the new batch arrives...:head
Ofer

 

[naiad]

I have just got a Fourth Element Thermocline Explorer suit for dynamic pool training. I am very happy with it. It is neutral buoyancy, and better than my old 3mm suit, as doesn't restrict movement at all and there is very little flushing. It is also more streamlined than a neoprene suit.

The only problem is the price, but I would definitely go for a similar suit again, as it is the best I have found for dynamic training.

Lucia

 

[jome]

Interesting looking suit. I wonder if it's really all they say or just marketing hype.

If it does do everything they claim, it would be the ultimate suit for cw (especially FRC). A neutrally buoyant suit with the thermal properties of neoprene? That would be like the holy grail of freediving suits.

Needles to say I remain just a bit sceptical, but would be nice to try one!

 

[rafacuatic]

After trying different brands and thickness of suits for the pool,now i am using an Aquasphere WT60 0'5mm full body and is the best for me.

http://www.aquasphereswim.com/products/aqua_skin_wt60.html
Rafa

 

[naiad]

Interesting looking suit. I wonder if it's really all they say or just marketing hype.

If it does do everything they claim, it would be the ultimate suit for cw (especially FRC). A neutrally buoyant suit with the thermal properties of neoprene? That would be like the holy grail of freediving suits.

It doesn't compare with opencell neoprene for warmth, but I find it at least as good as a conventional 3mm suit. I would only use it in the pool. I haven't got the long-sleeved top, but I may get it sometime. Then I'll see how it compares with a conventional suit, and post the results.

 

[Hoferman]

I am also thinking about buying a triathlon wetsuit. Since these suits are made to get you buoyant, can anyone tell me how buoyant they are?

People that for example use an Orca suit, do you use weights in a pool?

 

[DiverTodd]

Yeah, I got my Orca just BEFORE they suddenly became LUDICROUSLY expensive. Also, they sadly don't seem to be even making the Speedsuit any more...odd, since it's a great, inexpensive (for them) suit.

Todd