1) Allow water in before you exit
So this is one of our favourite tricks because we have both seen such a difference doing it. When you are just about to exit the water grab your wetsuit at the neck area and allow water to flow in. This will stop your wetsuit from becoming a vacuum and you will find the gap it has created between your skin and the wetsuit allows you to pull it off much easier.
2) Unzip quick and free your arms
Even though point 1 is going to help, it’s still much easier to remove the wetsuit as soon as possible. So now that you know exactly where the string is to unzip, concentrate on getting your arms out of the wetsuit as soon as possible.
Try this only if you want to be COOL ;): Before pulling your arms out grab your swim hat and goggles and then as you pull your arm out from the wetsuit, leave the hat and goggle inside the arm. Why? Well, you’ll get a photo without your swim hat on AND it’s one less thing to do in the transition.
NOTE: If you have a watch be conscious that this could block you from pulling your arm out. But if you have used the lubricant on your arms you might not find this a problem. If that still doesn’t work, it’s not ideal, but you could remove the watch before you pull out your arm. Then put it back on once you’re free.
3) Pull down and use those legs
You have arrived at T1 with the wetsuit at your waist. You have already taken off your cap, goggles and removed your arms. Great. Now grab the wetsuit from the hips where it’s a thicker material and in one big movement, pull the wetsuit down to your ankles. Then use your legs to remove the wetsuit from your ankles stepping on the leg of the wetsuit with the other leg. So in just 2 or 3 moves, you should be able to remove the wetsuit completely. Wow, feel like a pro yet?
NOTE: If you have a wetsuit that comes down to the very bottom of your ankles, your timing chip may get stuck in the wetsuit and cause you problems taking it off. The lubricant that you used before to put on the wetsuit may help, but if not, you can take the chip off first (and remember to put it back on) or cut the bottom part of the wetsuit so it’s a little bit shorter and easier to remove.
4) Put your wetsuit away
We know it’s a relief once you have finally removed your wetsuit, but don’t just leave it there. Make sure you have left it by your bike on the correct side. Sometimes they have a bucket where you can place your wetsuit, so use this. If not, just make sure it’s on the left side where the rest of your transition items are. You’ll need to move it anyhow to step onto your towel and put your socks and bike shoes on (if you are using them and haven’t attached the shoes to the bike already).
5) Put it into practice
We work hard on getting faster at the sports, but we often forget that our final time is based on the entire race, including the transitions! So, this IS a fundamental part of the race too. It’s also the easiest to get faster at. So go and practice, practice, practice and you’ll enjoy seeing yourself get super speedy in your T1 times! Every new race, we aim to beat our previous Transition time and Dora is always trying to beat Kelly in a transition … it’s yet to be achieved ; ) But hey, it’s all part of the fun in triathlon.
