∆ Long fingernails: wetsuits are tough but sharp fingernails will go straight though, so keep them trimmed.
∆ Toes: keep them hidden inside plastic bags or socks to avoid getting them caught up in the leg material as you put it on.
∆ Jewellery: remove it all, particularly wristwatches; the design is for your arm only, not arm plus watch. ∆ Lubrication: neoprene does not always slide easily over skin. Lubricate your shins and calves, forearms and neck before the suit goes on. This not only helps you don the suit, but also reduces chafing during the swim. There is now a wide choice of non-petroleum-based lubricants.
PUTTING IT ON
Gentle tugging motions are preferable to rough yanking when putting on your wetsuit. Slowly roll it on, one inch at a time. Taking time and care will preserve the integrity of the suit far longer than forcing your foot in as into a trouser leg.
STAGE ONE
Roll the upper body down, exposing the openings to the legs (practically turn it inside out but leave the arms the right way in). This folding down of the upper section doubles the thickness around the hips and presents a better ‘handle’ for a stronger pulling action. Wrap feet in socks or plastic bags and push them (toes first) through the legs. Work on the very lowest sections to start with and do not move up the leg until the suit fully fits over the ankles, onto the calves and up to the knees. Only at this point should you move up the thighs.
STAGE TWO
If there is loose material in the legs, the suit will end up tight around the torso. There should be no loose material around the crotch or at the back of the knees – it’s better to pull the suit into your crotch and expose your ankles rather than vice versa.
STAGE THREE Once you are happy with the fit under the crotch, then – with just one more pull with the doubled up material – you should have the lower section of the torso move up and over your hips. Pull the suit higher up the chest and carefully insert one arm. Take care with fingers; if needed, use a plastic bag to guide the fingers through. Work the hands all the way through the sleeves.
STAGE FOUR (RIGHT) Once the hands are free, either you or a partner can start the trickier process of sliding the arm material up towards the shoulders. A small amount of bunching around the shoulders is acceptable as this leaves room for the arms to manoeuvre. Before zipping the suit, it is worth taking some of the material up out of the stomach and rolling it up towards the chest. Once you have done this and pulled all loose material up out of the extremities. It should then not be too tough to zip up.
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STAGE FIVE Avoid pulling on the chord to close the zip as this stresses the stitching in the suit. It’s usually easier (and sometimes essential) to ask someone else to close your zip. Seal the join around the neck with the Velcro once the zip has been fastened. If this is done in a hurry without checking that all panelling is flat then chafing can occur. The length of Velcro patch allows for a lot of flexibility regarding tension and sealing the join around the neck area. You need to be able to breathe and turn the head/neck within the material of the suit at this point, so it should be firm and secure.
MAKING IT MORE COMFORTABLE There are a few tricks we have stumbled upon over the years to make a tight wetsuit fit a little better. Keep in mind it will be more pliable once wet so slight discomfort initially is normal.
∆ Bend the knees to bunch up material behind them. This excess material can then be rolled up the legs enabling a tighter fit around the crotch.
∆ Lean forwards to create rolls of material around the stomach, grab these (just the wetsuit) and roll them up to give more room around the shoulders. ∆ Bend the arms to bunch material behind the elbows and again roll it up towards the shoulders.
A properly sized, well-fitted wetsuit will almost certainly enhance your swim, whatever your ability. However, putting on a wetsuit for optimum performance does require some thought, patience and practice. And don’t forget, you also need to practise swimming in your perfectly fitted suit. ∆
STAGE FIVE
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