The Ironman wetsuit rule in 1 sentence:
If you are an age group athlete who is not competing for awards or championship slots, then you may wear your wetsuit as long as the water temperature is 28.8C/83.8F or lower.
The Ironman wetsuit rules are admittedly complicated but the reality for most age group athletes simply boils down to the one sentence summary above. Unless you’re striving for an award/championship spot then you may wear your wetsuit up to 28.8C/83.8F.
Why is this always such a topic of conversation ahead of an Ironman?
The Ironman swim is often a source of stress and anxiety for athletes. Often, age group athletes fall into the category of “late onset swimmers” taking on the swim without significant background in the sport. Additionally, athletes often have less comparative training time given pool/open water availability. Certainly count me in this category! In a given Ironman training cycle I’ll only get into open water a handful of times. Compare that with the amount of time spent on the bike and running and it’s no wonder athletes want the benefits offered by a wetsuit.
In addition, wetsuits provide a mental edge to less confident swimmers by increasing buoyancy, improving body position and the fact that the material provides less drag than skin. Mentally, wetsuits can act like a cocoon around open water anxiety. If fitted and worn correctly, swimming in a wetsuit can significantly improve swim times.
So what are the wetsuit rules for age group triathletes exactly?
Wetsuit Legal: 24.5C/76.1F – Any athlete may use a wetsuit up to this temperature and be considered for age group awards and championship slots.
Wetsuit Non-Competitive Wave: 24.5C/76.1F and below 28.8C/83.8F – Ironman will allow you to wear a wetsuit, but you will not be eligible for age group awards and championship slots.
Wetsuit Illegal: Above 28.8C/83.8F wetsuits are not permitted for any age group athlete.
Click here to be directed to the Ironman Competition rules for 2024.
What does this mean in reality?
While there are some races that reliably have warm waters, you should be prepared to swim in your wetsuit on race day. Make sure you’re familiar with your suit and that it fits you appropriately. Remember to find time to practice in your wetsuit. You’ll want to know if there are key areas where you will chafe (Body Glide is your friend). If you’re counting on the wetsuit for mental support in an open water setting then pick races where temps will be in your favor. Ironman publishes average water temperature on the home page of each race.