Although I am a novice to open water swimming, I have done a few open water swims in semi-cold temperature lakes (Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake in California) where I did not wear a wetsuit.

Now comes my long-awaited Alcatraz swim, where besides strong currents, sharks and large shipping vessels, I've got cold water on my mind. I am ready to wear a wetsuit - but do I wear the surfing wetsuit I already own - or do I buy/rent a swimming wetsuit?

I have been told that there are big differences between surfing wetsuits and wetsuits made for swimming. I had to try a swimming wetsuit to believe it, and after my first test swim, I decided that my investment was worth every penny. Here's why:

Flexibility:
The underarm area of the swimming wetsuit is much more stretchy. I was afraid with a full body wetsuit that my arms would experience added resitance and I would tire out much sooner. Not the case. I may have felt a slight pull, but nothing that tired me out.

Buoyancy:
The neoprene in a swimming wetsuit is thicker in the legs, adding extra warmth and buoyancy where swimmers need it. My surfing wetsuit is just the opposite, which would end up causing me to work harder to keep my legs afloat.

Outer Surface Texture:
Swimming wetsuits are more "slippery" on the outside than surfing wetsuits. The more expensive swimming wetsuits even have advanced "technology" built-in to the sleeves that will help you push more water while swimming. What next?

As far as fit goes, make sure your wetsuit is snug. It may feel confining when you try it on in a store out-of-water, but it will loosen up and feel like a second skin when you are swimming. If the neckline feels tight, like it's cutting into your throat in front, you can pull up the backside of the wetsuit, so the front will lay lower and not cut into your neck. I tried this, it works.

Another factor is chafing. The repetitive motion of long-distance swimming can cause chafing, blisters or rashes when wearing a wetsuit. I tried Body Glide, which is an anti-chafing lubricant that you apply like a deoderant to areas like your neck, wrists, armpits, etc - anywhere that might rub. Body Glide works great, and it will not harm your wetsuit like a petroleum-based lubricant (like Vaseline) can.

Click here >> Swimming Wetsuits for men & women

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