Should I make my 6 year old wear a wetsuit

[Anonymous]

He's in a "pre swim team" stoke clinic and is shivering at the end of every session. My sister, who swam competitively in high school and college, says I should not get him a wetsuit because it will create drag and slow him down. He's not at the racing stage yet, and I am worried that he is so cold. On the other hand, he feels a wetsuit would be embarrassing. The coach leading the clinic says either way is ok by her. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Don't worry about the drag. Not a big deal at that stage. If he is embarrassed, then don't force him to wear it. The cold won't hurt him. If he wants to wear it, and it keeps him warmer, then that is ok too. Also, consider finding a warmer pool. There is a pretty wide variation in indoor pool temperatures.

[Anonymous]

Make him, no, buy him one and encourage it yes. We got a wetsuit and the following weeks, many other families followed suit. Its pretty common now. I really like the billabong over several other brands. They are the best made.

[Anonymous]

A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

Triathlete here and I agree. I'm perplexed why OP's sister said it would "drag him down." In addition, I think a wetsuit would be overkill in an indoor pool and he would get way too hot. I'm surprised the coach said ok to a wet suit.

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

Triathlete here and I agree. I'm perplexed why OP's sister said it would "drag him down." In addition, I think a wetsuit would be overkill in an indoor pool and he would get way too hot. I'm surprised the coach said ok to a wet suit.

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?

Why would anyone wear a rashguard in an indoor pool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

Triathlete here and I agree. I'm perplexed why OP's sister said it would "drag him down." In addition, I think a wetsuit would be overkill in an indoor pool and he would get way too hot. I'm surprised the coach said ok to a wet suit.

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?

Why would anyone wear a rashguard in an indoor pool?

To keep warm, which is what the OP is seeking for her son.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?


Why would anyone wear a rashguard in an indoor pool?

To keep warm, which is what the OP is seeking for her son.

I am OP and I mean a wetsuit not a rash guard shirt. The coach said ok because the water is cold and he was shivering, even after swimming nonstop for 45 minutes. My sister said it would create drag (not drag him down) because her coaches used to ask her to wear additional items over her suit (leggings, or tights) during practice for the express purposes of creating more drag to work against.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?


Why would anyone wear a rashguard in an indoor pool?

To keep warm, which is what the OP is seeking for her son.

I am OP and I mean a wetsuit not a rash guard shirt. The coach said ok because the water is cold and he was shivering, even after swimming nonstop for 45 minutes. My sister said it would create drag (not drag him down) because her coaches used to ask her to wear additional items over her suit (leggings, or tights) during practice for the express purposes of creating more drag to work against.

So it sounds like creating drag was beneficial for your sister's training? Why does she not want you to get a wetsuit for your son so he can have the same benefit?

Just how cold is the pool? Honestly, if your son is having that many issues in an indoor pool, I think a trip to the doctor to rule out medical concerns would be a better investment of your time and money than a wet suit!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if your son is having that many issues in an indoor pool, I think a trip to the doctor to rule out medical concerns would be a better investment of your time and money than a wet suit!

Thanks for your concern, but his coach says that for a really skinny kid, such as DS, these issues are not unusual.

[Anonymous]

Again, a wetsuit is fine if he wants to wear one. Typically a cheap shortjohn. Should fit reasonably well, but doesn't need to be as exact as a competition tri suit. Very loose suits will restrict movement and not retain any heat.

Drag is related to the square of velocity. For young kids. it just does not matter. Plus, a reasonably well-fitting wetsuit should not increase drag by much. Competition wetsuits will actually decrease drag.

[Anonymous]

I would buy one and try it and see if he likes it. I would not worry about if you were creating a drag or making him faster. Worry about him not freezing so he can think about what he is doing.

That or maybe talk to the coach about them warming up the pool (if all the kids are cold).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

A wetsuit is a stupid idea for a preteam swimmer. It's a cheat and keeps him from learning better stroke technique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A wetsuit will actually make him faster because it makes him float level in the water. Triathletes and other open-water swimmers are faster in wetsuits than without.

But using one to learn is actually a problem because it will hide flaws in his stroke if his hips and legs would otherwise sink but are kept floating solely due to the buoyancy of the wetsuit.

Triathlete here and I agree. I'm perplexed why OP's sister said it would "drag him down." In addition, I think a wetsuit would be overkill in an indoor pool and he would get way too hot. I'm surprised the coach said ok to a wet suit.

I'm wondering if OP means a rash guard shirt--and not a wet suit?

Why would anyone wear a rashguard in an indoor pool?

My son was the only one in the preschool swim class not wearing a rash guard last winter.

[Anonymous]

My child was underweight and could not go into the pool without his wetsuit until he gained weight at 9 years old.
Now he doesn't need one.

I think you should make him try once, and then let him decide whether he wants to use it or not. All wetsuits are not created equal! We bought a French brand that fitted smoothly without scratchy seams - Tribord. Like all European sizes, it fits more snugly than American sizes, so if your child is tall for his age you might want to size up. On the other hand, you do want it to fit well, since it will warm him up better.