Wearing a wetsuit for wild swimming, at home or at the beach?

[Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks]

Going wild swimming this afternoon in this glorious sunshine. My question is do I put my wetsuit on at home or at the beach?

Thank you for indulging in my mid life crisis 🤪

I'd worry about the heat, is it long to travel?

Why wear a wetsuit in this weather?

I would worry about heatstroke if you put it on before arrival

@Pinocchia about twenty minutes in the car

Too hard to put on at the beach I find . I put mine on up to my waist , in car with A/C and put arms in , zip up when I am on beach ready to go in .

I wouldn't

It's around 20c in Scotland not the hell fire temps you guys are having down south.

In this heat you will probably expire if you wear a wetsuit out of the water too long, like a stranded whale.

Are you sure you need a wetsuit today? We're currently experiencing a marine heatwave and the water temperature here in the SW is up to 18 degrees. (Granted, I don't know where you're actually swimming).

I'd go prepared to swim in just a swimming costume, and take the wetsuit as back up.

@crackofdoom I had a Google this morning and it said to put on a wetsuit to try and avoid cold water shock. I have a bit of anxiety about this now. Hence the wetsuit. Will definitely look like a stranded whale inside and outside the water

@Nofeckingway might try your suggestion.

I’m also in Scotland, like the pp, this morning (and what I always do) is put it on to waist and then do the rest up when I get there.

You will probably die of heatstroke wearing it even at the beach. I’ve never known anyone to drive in a wetsuit. I would take it with you but see how you feel without it first. Even my 8 year old was in a cold moorland river the other day just in his swimsuit.

20c air temp would be fine for me in swimwear. Would wear swim shoes/boots though

I’d put it on when you get there , I can’t imagine it’s teribly comfortable to drive in a wetsuit. I’m not sure you need it, I went paddle boarding and swimming in the sea last weekend in just a bathing suit.

They’re not great to wear in air to be honest.

i wear one in winter and put it on at the beach/wherever I am going.

some wetsuits need assistance to do up.

I'm in Scotland. It's nudging 20c air temp, but the sea or large lochs haven't warmed up yet, many are only just hitting 10c which is winter south UK sea temps.
So yeah, wetsuits can still be very appropriate in some of the UK.
Put it on at beach OP.

Good plan.

I've put on half way will zip it up fully at the beach. My wetsuit is the ones that go to your elbow/knees and have the long pull bit at the back to zip up. I have water shoes as I really don't fancy standing on anything like a fish. It's not me driving dh is. I've packed snacks, drinks, towels and we are now on our way.

Surfer here - don't travel in a wet suit. If it's just swimming, then a shortie wetsuit is good. By all means have your cossie on under traveling clothes and pack some undies though

Enjoy!!

The best way to avoid cold water shock is to enter the water slowly and acclimatise! And stay within your depth if you're at all unsure.

I had a horrible experience one March while I was out of my depth - and wearing a wetsuit! I had entered the water gradually, but the cold also got to me gradually and I was fighting a falling tide while the cold was sapping my strength (the science: blood starts to get redirected to your internal organs to keep them warm, so your limbs start to lose strength). I did get back to the shore- couldn't stand up when I did- and it was really scary.

So yeah OK, if you're swimming in Scottish waters- and unused to wild swimming- maybe a wetsuit is a good idea!

I bought a front zip shortie wetsuit some years back. One of my best ever buys for easy dressing

At the beach. You'll boil. You'll have a swimsuit underneath, so getting changed won't be tricky.

Had a wonderful swim can see why people really get into wild swimming. The water was cold at first, once I started swimming around the temperature was fine. Had a good 45 minute swim was ravenous after. Might make this a regular thing.

@Bigtrapeze I had a bra and pants on underneath 😳

@crackofdoom that does sound like a horrible experience, glad you were ok.

Much thanks for the help earlier today all. I was feeling a little bit nervous before I went.

Good to hear that you had a good time. Can't believe you wear a bra and knicks instead of swimming costume . How did you change ?

I wear a thin unstructured swimming cozzie under the wetsuit so then you can do the undignified getting in and out without risking/obliterating my modesty as well as my dignity

Glad you enjoyed it.

i got addicted two years ago!