Wetsuit Maintenance & Care Guide For Open Water Tri

Wetsuit maintenance and care is very important, so the wetsuit keeps your child warm and comfortable in open-water tri. Triathlon wetsuits are designed to be light, flexible and buoyant. The only drawback to this is their durability, so this guide will help you understand how to look after your wetsuit so you can extend its life…

Take your time when putting your wetsuit on!
Damage most commonly occurs putting a wetsuit on. Make sure you don’t have sharp nails and only use your finger tips to get your wetsuit into position. Latex gloves to shield the nails can work too. Here’s a few key points to remember:

• Rinse thoroughly in fresh water after every use.
• Minimise exposure to direct sunlight and try to dry in the shade.
• Dry inside-out first, then dry the outside.
• Store inside-out.
• Wetsuits are best kept flat and folded behind the knees and then in half.
• Only use a hanger for short periods of time and use as wide a hanger as possible.
• Avoid contacting the Velcro with the inside lining, as this will pull on the sensitive fibres.
• Keep the Velcro covered with the fabric patch provided at all times.
• Restrict use to swimming and triathlon only.
• Do not allow petroleum lubricant to contact with your wetsuit.
• Avoid use in Chlorinated swimming pools
• Don’t put in the washing machine or tumble dryer.
• Do not iron.
• Don’t wash with detergent or bleach.
• Do not allow others to use your wetsuit. Even a slightly larger user can damage it.

Follow these tips and your wetsuit will give many years use for your child. When they grow out of it, it will continue to work for their brothers and sisters too!