OMG Boulder Ironman might be over 76.1F/24.5C, no wetsuits, whatever will they do? ;-)

lakespraylakespray Senior Member
edited July 2014 in General Discussion
Brian Wrabetz Thanks, Dave, for keeping us all informed! Here's to several days of rain and cooler temps in the days leading up to race day, and a 72 degree, overcast day on Sunday the 3rd!!
4 hours ago · Like · 20

Adi Marston Bugger that's my Kona slot gone then
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Aimee Paradis-Youngblood Wasn't there talk about an ice dumping party??
4 hours ago · Like · 6

Ryan Fletcher Thanks Dave. Will you be using a rolling start for the wetsuit start as well?
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Aimee Paradis-Youngblood I have the same question as Ryan?!?
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Jennifer Sage I have the same question as Ryan as well. Thanks!
4 hours ago · Like

Brett Waxler If in fact it is a non-wetsuit swim...Is it still a rolling start regardless of whether you are wearing a weatsuit / no weatsuit? Cannot wait for 8/3 and appreciate all the info Ironman Boulder
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Jeff Abbott Dave, like Kona, I assume swimskin/speedsuits will be allowed though? As long as they dont extend past the shoulder or below the knee.
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Stephen Desio So are all wetsuiters going to be a mass start if non wet suit swim or will rolling start them too?
4 hours ago · Like

Jason Byrd If you wear a wetsuit does it still count as one of your 12 for the legacy program?
4 hours ago · Like

Mark Cardinale Are you allowed to wear calf sleeves during swim if non-wetsuit?
4 hours ago · Like · 1

Lynda Norton Stewart Thanks Dave! Hey locals-let the ice party begin!
4 hours ago · Like · 2

Ironman Boulder All who have asked. Both the wetsuits and the non-wetsuits will be rolling starts.
4 hours ago · Like · 6

Ironman Boulder Mark Cardinale You are NOT allowed to wear calf sleeves in the swim.
4 hours ago · Like

Chanc Woods Thanks for the info on calf sleeves. Not sure how they would improve your swim time, but ok.
3 hours ago · Like · 3

Susan McNamee Ice party. Aug 2!!!
3 hours ago · Like · 9

Ashton Oltmanns Sorry but the calf sleeve rule is soooo dumb. I asked a USAT official at my first half iron and he said they were legal. My CEP compression calf sleeves are cotton, not aiding at all in excelling swim times or giving me any sort if advantage. I just wear them because putting them on when I'm soaking wet from the swim or sweaty is near impossible. I don't understand this rule.
3 hours ago · Like · 2

Jonathan Edge Yesss! Just for once, us swim specialists might get to have our day. I mean, really, I have to carry an extra 20 lbs of useless swim muscle through the marathon, so is not having a wetsuit really that bad? ; )
3 hours ago · Like · 5

Ironman Boulder Ashton Oltmanns - unfortunately we have people who slip inflatable material in them. Sleeves by themselves most likely wont help. But because we have so many people try and put inflatable materials in them we do not allow them. The actions of a few ruin the action of the majority. Sorry. Rules are rules.
3 hours ago · Like · 7

Ruth Earley Ironman Boulder Does wearing a wetsuit over 76.1 affect the points for the AWA gold/silver/bronze? Thanks so much - we really appreciate all you are going through to make our race as smooth as possible.
2 hours ago · Like

Alicia Brillon Thanks for the update! Ironman officials - can you give an estimate of what % of a typical IM field will elect to wear a wetsuit if the temp is above 76.1? Just want to find out if the majority, who lets face it aren't going for Kona or top 3 in AG, elect to wear them...
2 hours ago · Like · 1

Roger V. Hooper Jr. Ironman Boulder, tell me if I got this right. Water temperature 76.1 and below are still eligible for Kona and AG slots? 76.2-83.8 degrees if you choose to wear a wetsuit you will not be eligible for Kona and AG wards right?
2 hours ago · Like

Kathy Anderson Hull At what time of the morning do you anticipate the wetsuit rolling start to begin? 6:45ish???
2 hours ago · Like

Kelli M Trudel What about speed suits ?
about an hour ago · Like

John Highfill Hard to believe the temp went up 3 degrees in 3 days....
11 minutes ago · Like

Tim Thompson If you wear a wetsuit above 76.1, are you still included in the overall rankings or is there an asterisk next to your name?
6 minutes ago · Like

https://www.facebook.com/IronmanBoulder

:))

Comments

  • ssthomasssthomas DenverCharter Mem​ber
    I have a friend at work who has done somewhere around 9 Ironmans. He was excited to sign up for Boulder last year- and since then I've been encouraging him to practice without the wetsuit, since I knew water temps would be high. It took some encouraging this spring, but he finally got out of the wetsuit. I asked today if he was worried about it- and he said, no joke, "Even if they say we can wear a wetsuit, I won't. It's too hot." My work here is done.
  • flystormsflystorms Memphis, TNSenior Member
    Had a similar conversation at the pool today with one of our guys who is doing the race. I told him that he's a strong enough swimmer that even if he didn't use the wetsuit, he was a much stronger swimmer than a lot of those folks. He'd be better of just plowing through and he'd make up some of the time by not having to get that thing stripped off. He's a good OW swimmer so I think he'll be fine.

    I lvoe the comment by Johnathon Love above who pokes at those who aren't regular swimmers. Good to see someone get a little dig in. :)
  • JenAJenA Charter Member
    edited July 2014
    @lakespray, those facebook comments are hilarious. :-)
  • lakespraylakespray Senior Member
    Two more comments:

    ppKathryn Riesz Schapper Will there still be wetsuit strippers?
    9 hours ago · Like

    Ironman Boulder Yes there will still be wetsuit strippers
    3 hours ago · Like

    I only learned of the concept of wetsuit strippers last week while channel surfing I stopped to watch the Ironman Canada on NBCSN. They showed this gang of volunteers helping the competitors out of there wetsuits after the swim. In the past I always thought that this was up to the individual and simply part the transition, but alas no more. It seems oxymoronic that in the bike stage drafting is not allowed but you can have wetsuit strippers??? Alas I always have to come back to it's the "Ironman Corporation" and it is a for profit business you have to give the customers what they want :-/
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    @lakespray, I heard the term for the first time in the last year while coaching triathletes. My mind always going to the gutter first, I tried to imagine stripper on stage in wetsuits, and it just didn't make sense.

    Granted, neither does wearing a wetsuit in 76 degree water...or any water for that matter...

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • Dawn_TreaderDawn_Treader Member
    I knew I shouldn't have looked at this thread. I knew wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut. I can't imagine how hard it is to cycle 180 km and then run 42. I'm soon going to find out. I've been preparing for it all year and just the training itself is nearly killing me. It has been rewarding and joyful as well as painful. Last year I attempted the Channel and after 14 wonderful hours that changed my life, I got out. I will re-try but first Ironman. For me it is key to strengthen my weaknesses. It is part of my preparation strategy. I need to make my mind stronger and to finish something long and hard. I know sometimes they can be geeks, but I challenge you to do this distance one season and see how it feels. It has certainly broadened my perspective. I will be glad when it is over and I can return to swimming. My body has grown weary and lean. No more bioprene. 2 more months and then it is my mass start at Ironman Mallorca. I am going to wear a pink swim suit and I will do my best to represent the open water swimming community.

    Sisu: a Finnish term meaning strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    Dawn_Treader wrote:
    ...but I challenge you to do this distance one season and see how it feels.

    Don't have enough time in the day to train for an IM. I don't know how you guys do it!

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • TimDexTimDex Member
    edited July 2014
    Monitoring at Chatfield tomorrow. I have been away on vacay for a few weeks. It will be interesting to see how many are STILL wearing wetsuits and complaining they are too hot :) 2 weeks back we found a thermometer on one of the buoys, a toasty 68F.
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    It is my understanding that if the race organizers deem the water too warm for wetsuits, triathletes are banned from wearing them. I saw an analog to this at one of my triathlete-organized ow swims years ago where the organizer came to the beach and directed a couple guys to remove their wetsuits or not swim.

    Now, if some of these guys still wear them and something happens, God forbid, who'll be held responsible? Will USAT pay the claim from a family? I'd think USAT wouldn't.

    Second question: If the race is deemed non-wetsuit, but the organizers still provide those silly strippers, are the organizers then responsible for anything that happens to a wetsuit-wearing triathlete during the race?

    Discuss amongst yourselves...

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • SpacemanspiffSpacemanspiff Dallas, TexasSenior Member
    IronMike wrote:
    It is my understanding that if the race organizers deem the water too warm for wetsuits, triathletes are banned from wearing them.

    Waaay back in the olden days when I was a triathlete (87ish to 01ish), I seem to recall there were two temp thresholds: the first one was "optional" (you can wear one, but you're not eligible for awards, recognition) and the second was "prohibited." When it was optional, they had strippers (although I don't recall them being particularly attractive).
    IronMike wrote:
    Second question: If the race is deemed non-wetsuit, but the organizers still provide those silly strippers, are the organizers then responsible for anything that happens to a wetsuit-wearing triathlete during the race?

    If westsuits were optional, its unlikely that the USAT or the organizers would be held liable for a wetsuit-related injury related solely to "wearing" a wetsuit (like overheating?). The presence of a volunteer stripper, solely for the voluntary convenience/benefit of the participant, wouldn't likely be viewed as encouraging the behavior. But if a stripper engaged in arguably intentional conduct (groping, hitting, double-eye-gouging), the release isn't going to help much.

    On the other hand, if the organizers "banned" or "prohibited" the use of wetsuits (as opposed to merely calling their use optional and disqualifying of awards), this would imply that the organizer (who would likely be viewed as in a better position to know and asses the risks) knew and understood the risks. For the shepherd to see the hazard and not take reasonable steps to protect the sheep from themselves could be a problem.

    I'm just answering the question, not promoting the answer as good social policy, so don't shoot the messenger. I hate lawyers as much as the next guy, and I'm one of them.

    "Lights go out and I can't be saved
    Tides that I tried to swim against
    Have brought be down upon my knees
    Oh I beg, I beg and plead..."

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    Completely understand, @Spacemanspiff. I was just wondering. I have enough heartache with my swimmers saying stupid things about relying on their wetsuits to get them thru the swim. But to have a bunch of athletes wearing a rubber body-condom in 76+ degree water and (probably) even warmer air temps worries me with respect to the health and safety of the competitors.

    Thanks for your thoughts, and please don't be put off at all by my signature block below.

    Cheers,
    IronMike

    The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
    2 Henry VI, 4.2.59

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

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