pool disciplines suit Q

[Andrew the fish]

what would be the best option for pool disciplines? I noticed there are times when water in a pool is colder than other times, I am getting shievers. And that idea of being a little "slippier" in a water makes me want a suit for pool. Does anybody know of any particular brand, thickness etc for this? Do I need a full suit or sleevless or shortie for a pool, what works best in your opinion, folks?

 

[KatFish]

Hi Andrew

Starting to wear a triathlon wetsuit in training was one of the best decisions I ever made in freediving. It added to my enjoyment immensely.

Orca does a good range of suits. The Orca Free was specifically designed for freediving and has a great neck seal (our usual problem with triathlon suits is water ingress through the neck) and is really flexible. I really enjoy using the Orca Alpha in the pool - the neck weight assists in mitigating the water ingress. Orca Wetsuits tend to not be chlorine resistant so start to disintegrate after a lot of use in the pool. Mine last about 9-12 months. You might want to consider a cheap one for training and a good one for competition.

 

[emero]

Orca's RS1, Apex2, Alpha, Free are all great for pool dynamics.

Kathryn, do you have any news on the 'Breathe' model? I think quite a few freedivers here are eagerly waiting for it to arrive

 

[KatFish]

Last I heard the "Breathe" is due here early next year (maybe Feb).

Happy to send Orca suits around the world at reasonable prices (PM me if interested).

 

[ikki_jime]

if you looking for cheaper solution than Orca, maybe this would be the one
Aqua Skins - Men's - Winter
this is really good suit for reasonable price

 

[nyspear]

if you looking for cheaper solution than Orca, maybe this would be the one
Aqua Skins - Men's - Winter
this is really good suit for reasonable price

I just got one of these. It seems to be a decent suit for the price, although I can't yet attest to its durability. You should really try it on before buying, though. All of the sites I've seen say that you should buy a size up, but for me, it would seem to be the opposite. The legs seem to be cut for a person with much bigger legs than mine.

I would have preferred an Orca, but unless I'm mistaken, I don't think they make a 1mm sleeveless suit. If/when they do, that will be my next suit.

 

[KatFish]

I'd be really cold in a 1mm suit, even in the pool!

In the pool the additional buoyancy of a thicker suit can really help (as long as the arms aren't too buoyant which can affect your dive negatively, especially in no fins) - you add more weight, therefore get more momentum. Some of the boys also need more buoyancy in their legs, which the thicker suits give naturally.

Sleeveless suits often fill with water and create more drag - when you try it on make sure that there is absolutely no bagging around the neck or backs of arm holes when your arms are both outstretched above your head (they tend to be designed for swimming - one arm forward at a time).

 

[chrismar]

Yep. 1mm wouldn't give my legs enough buoyancy and sleeveless is generally like swimming while wearing a bucket.

The neck seal and how the shoulders fit with your arms above your head are two of the key things that you need to check when getting a suit. As a mass generalisation, Orca suits fit people with slimmer builds best, while Blueseventy work for those with bigger chests & shoulders. I can't vouch for many others though. Try before you buy is my advice.

 

[nyspear]

I'm still very new to this, but I don't seem to have an issue with my legs. I do notice the suit filling with water to some extent.

 

[ikki_jime]

I have had many problems with fitting due to my extremely slim build, so i ordered made by measure 1,5mm two peace(pants+jacket), hooded suit , and this was the solution for neck sealing too. With hooded suit there is absolutely no water entrance. And it was still less $$ than Orca...