To wear a wetsuit in a swimming pool?

[Clearlynotmyname]

Or to put it another way, if you saw someone wearing a wetsuit during toddler splash at your local pool, would you think "twat"?

DH and the DCs adore swimming, and we love doing it as a family, except I get sooooo cold that it completely ruins the experience for me. I can manage half an hour tops, and right from the start I am counting down until I can escape to the warm showers. DCs are still too small and can't swim well enough for me to just watch from the sidelines, plus I don't like not being involved.

DH thinks a wetsuit is the solution - I'm talking a shorty one, ideally with short sleeves too, not a full body one! But I still think I'll get too many stares for comfort. Not sure I have the guts to fully own the look.

(It doesn't help that DH - bless him - actually went as far as buying me one online, but when it arrived it was a lovely poo brown, so we sent it back on the basis I would look like a huge turd floating in the pool)

Verdict please MN. Or other solutions to the freezing my tits off in pool problem...

[1bighappyfamily]

Now you see, this is why I read MN. Right here.

I'm adding one to my birthday list right now. Might prevent the agony in my hamstrings and freezingness at our pool too.

Brilliant idea.

[neverthetwainshallmeet]

I'd think "what a genius, she didn't have to shave her lady garden OR worry about mum tum/stretch marks" (mum tum & stretch marks is a comment about my own body, not yours OP!)

[Ethylred]

I would assume you are a prevert practicing your preversion in the pool.

[Channelling Major Bat Guano...]

[TaurielTest]

Here's one with sleeves and short legs:
www.speedo.com/uk/en/essential-kneesuit/810391B019.html

[K425]

We did what Etymology23 suggests. And to be honest we weren't in the pool much longer than half an hour because DS got cold too.

[PoorYorick]

I would think nothing of it, and if I did, I would be an idiot and you should take no notice of me.

[Clearlynotmyname]

Just checked with pool - they seemed bemused by the question and checked whether it would be full body or not, then said fine. I also don't see how it's different to a burkini!

You lot are all less judgemental than the one friend I asked, who immediately said "yes - twat"

So off to Amazon I go, thanks everyone

[fourteenlittleducks]

I'd think nothing of it. I often wear full length swim leggings made of neoprene and a tanktini top to toddler swimming. Never had any stares and some of the other mums wear them too.

[Clearlynotmyname]

stripey I get like this in all pools! I just run cold generally. I have often wondered if there is something wrong with me... (makes vague note to get thyroid checked)

[Clearlynotmyname]

never yes I am thinking of those other benefits too :)
Chuffed at the genius tag, though it was DH's idea that I have been dismissing for months before finally agreeing to get the MN consensus!

[OneSecondAfter]

If it's short sleeved and short legged, surely it will just look like a conservative swimsuit, the kind that loads of middle-aged and old women wear?

Anyway, I tend not to think "twat" about people I don't know doing harmless things that have no effect on me. And honestly, you shouldn't really give a second's thought to the opinion of anyone who does.

[OneSecondAfter]

If it's short sleeved and short legged, surely it will just look like a conservative swimsuit, the kind that loads of middle-aged and old women wear?

Anyway, I tend not to think "twat" about people I don't know doing harmless things that have no effect on me. And honestly, you shouldn't really give a second's thought to the opinion of anyone who does.

[Clearlynotmyname]

oooh thanks puddock I like that one

[PoorYorick]

That's strange, OP, I thought exactly the same thing about your friend for being so nasty about someone doing something harmless, safe and appropriate for the situation. Funny old world!

[Clearlynotmyname]

onesecond I know! I shouldn't care. It's not so much the opinions that bother me, just don't think I would enjoy a swim session with everyone gawping at me

[Firstaidnovice]

Look up eskeez tops! Before you buy the wetsuit. They are like thermal tops you wear in the water. Much more comfortable than a wetsuit, and super toasty. You can also wear them out of the water in winter.

[Clearlynotmyname]

Haha I am making my friend sound a lot harsher than she is. She may not even have said twat, that is my paraphrasing. More that she would assume it is someone who is taking toddler splash waaaaaay too seriously

[SecretLimonadeDrinker]

I often wear a tshirt/rash vest - although this was because DS used to pull my top down during swimming lessons when he was little.

[alltouchedout]

I wouldn't care. There are people at our local pools who wear teeny tiny bikinis, some who wear leggings and long sleeve T shirts- pretty much anything goes as long as you feel comfy and the pool staff don't deem it unsafe.

[Clearlynotmyname]

Ooh good tip firstaid! Just looked them up. Won't be able to get one in time for us going away end of the week but I am tempted to buy some to wear all the time! I am always always cold

[sportinguista]

Many scuba clubs train in pools, ours certainly did and wetsuits were OK. Wetsuits and burkinis are not at all the same. A wetsuit will keep you warm as it holds the water and warms it next to your body hence it being good in the sea where it is likely to be colder. A burkini is no better than wearing a pair of pjs in that it will remain wet and cold next to the body and slow you down as well, it will not warm you up.

I don't tend to judge what anyone wants to wear in the pool it's up to them. I might do a double take at high heels and an evening dress though!

Check what the pool rules are though.

[Firstaidnovice]

I'm a swimming teacher, and it's what we wear, wetsuits are just too restrictive. You can also get something similar, and much cheaper, in Decathlon - think they call them thermal rash vests.

[Notinmybackyard]

This looks nice and is a good price?

[Clearlynotmyname]

Will try Decathlon, love that place

[Clearlynotmyname]

Notinmybackyard that looks good but I have bought one already as need it to arrive asap. Your one is much cheaper though!