Training FAQ > General Triathlon > Why do so many triathletes get upset about wetsuit usage in races?
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The basic issue with wetsuits is that in addition to making open water swims safer by providing the wearer with added warmth and flotation they also provide a speed advantage. The speed advantage comes from the added flotation that puts a swimmer's body in a higher and more "correct" position. This is the position that a good swimmer swims with anyway by using proper technique.
Therefore, wetsuits speed-up a poor swimmer with poor body position much more than they speed-up a swimmer that already uses good body position.
Last updated on May 3, 2007 by David Ardley