- Minimum equipment necessary for the swimming stage
- Swimsuit: wetsuit
- How to save on triathlon wetsuit?
- How to save money on swimming goggles?
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Are you planning to take part in your first triathlon, but after adding up the prices of all the necessary accessories, the cost is far beyond your budget? See what you can save on completing the equipment for the swimming stage.
Minimum equipment necessary for the swimming stage
For shorter distances, if you do not want to invest in swimming equipment, shorts are enough, and for women a one-piece swimsuit, a spare cap (a cap with the starting number should be provided by the organizer) and glasses. The cost of the entire set is several dozen zlotys.
However, it happens that, according to the regulations of a given competition, the competitor should swim in a triathlon wetsuit - a specialized heat-resistant suit, which can cost even PLN 2,000!
Swimsuit: wetsuit
Depending on the weather, distance and regulations, a wetsuit - the most expensive element of triathlon swimming equipment - may be required to take part in the competition. Foams are always required when the water temperature is below 17 degrees C and over longer distances (the more time you spend in the water, the easier it is to cool down your body).
Important: Triathlon wetsuits are different from windsurf and divers. Choose equipment produced only by triathlon brands, e.g. Orca, HUUB, ZOOT
Before the first competition, it makes no sense to buy your own wetsuit, because the prices of the cheapest models start from around PLN 700-900. And you never know if your enthusiasm for the triathlon will subside after the first time and you will focus on a different discipline.
You can borrow the first wetsuit. The cost of a weekly rental is about PLN 90-100, you can rent a wetsuit for about PLN 200 per month. Despite the fact that the cost is quite high, it pays off because for a small amount you can flow in high-quality foam. There is only one condition - the fact that other people used to swim in the same outfit before must not be a big problem.
How to save on triathlon wetsuit?
Most manufacturers of swimming triathlon clothing organize the so-called foam tests. By participating in such an event, you can not only try on a wetsuit, but also try it out at the swimming pool. And this is a great help in choosing the most appropriate equipment. Additionally, if you decide to purchase in the processof the foam test, you can count on a 15-20% discount, which will save you several hundred zlotys.
Second-hand foams, i.e. found from among offers on industry forums and portals, is also a good solution. In such places, you can buy very good equipment up to half the price than in a store. However, it is not recommended to buy without fitting (even if the dimensions match, it may turn out that your posture differs from the body shape of the previous wetsuit owner and the outfit will not fit perfectly).
How to save money on swimming goggles?
You don't have to buy the most expensive professional glasses. It is enough for them to be comfortable and well-fitted to the face (they cannot leak). It is also important that the lenses do not fog up due to the difference in air and water temperature. This functionality is essential when swimming in open waters. The temperature jumps make it difficult to see the buoys to which the competitor is going through the fogged glasses, and it also makes it difficult to maneuver, among others, swimmers.
It would be good if the glasses were also equipped with a high sunscreen, but at the beginning it is not necessary.
The most important rule when buying swimming goggles is to try them on. You cannot buy them blind, because there is a good chance that they will oppress or let the water flow in.
Low-end swimming goggles can be bought for as low as PLN 30, and the manufacturers of some such models ensure that they are equipped with an anti-fog system.