The Care and Feeding of Your Tri Wet Suit
By USA Triathlon Coach Ken Johnson
Congratulations! You now have a triathlon wet suit. But it wasn't that inexpensive, and you need to take care of it. Here are some tips:
- Take time putting on your suit. Use the pads of your fingers and palms; keep your fingernails way away!
- You can get into and out of your wet suit easier by using a product like Suit Juice. Spray liberally on your legs and arms, and spray down the legs and arms of the wet suit.
- NEVER use petroleum jelly, cooking spray (like Pam), or any type of grease, oil, or solvents on your wet suit. They will permanently damage the material.
- Don't leave a damp wet suit crumpled in a bag or in the car trunk. It will mold and/or mildew.
- Rinse your wet suit in cool, fresh water after each use. Make sure all the sand/salt/weeds are washed out of the zipper.
- Wash your wet suit in Woolite or a specialized product such as SuitFresh.
- Hang your suit inside-out on a thick hanger to dry. No wire hangers!
- NEVER put a wet suit in a washer or dryer.
- Off-season, store in a cool, dry place, lying flat if at all possible. If necessary to fold the suit, fold once at the waist.
- Don't expose your wet suit to heat or direct sunlight for any significant period of time.
- NEVER use your suit for any activity other than swimming.
- Small nicks and cuts on the outside of the suit (the neoprene) that don't go through the fabric on the inside can be repaired with wet suit cement. This is available at dive shops, surf shops, or triathlon stores that have wet suit repair supplies.
3-Fitness Triathlon Training Coach Ken's Triathlon Training at the RecPlex
