Wetties on the Far North Coast

"Following the Byron Bay Swim, I was surprised and can I say appalled at the use of tri wetsuits by a number of the entrants.

Now I know ocean swimming is fun primarily but we all measure ourselves against our previous performances and our peers and the use of wetsuits by good swimmers is bad form.

Wetsuits are used in triathlons I believe for warmth, which definitely isn't justified up the North Coast in early May, but there is no doubt they are a bouyancy aid also. If you've ever swum with the same person with and without a wetsuit in the ocean you'll be aware of the assistance they provide.

In (Sunday's) swim at the front of our group, I had a wetsuit clad swimmer going away from me which I found annoying. I can understand a swimmer who might struggle with the distance or who doubt their ability using a wetsuit, but this was an elite swimmer of my group in the leading bunch and would only hope that he followed the race rule set out as follows: "A swimmer may use extraneous aids, eg. fins, snorkels or flotation clothing or devices, but such swimmers will not be eligible for any prize or qualify as an official placegetter, and must notify officials when finishing the event".

Now I didn’t see any evidence of policing of this rule ... but I’d be interested to hear of anyone who did."

Tim Peacock
Bangalow

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