There is a big debate about wetsuits nowadays. The debate is if they should be permitted in triathlon. Swimmers wish they are not legal in triathlon. Runners and cyclists who are not so good at swimming, on the other hand, would love wetsuits in this discipline.

Wetsuits give a better body position for less-skilled swimmers. They are also slick giving less friction in the water. French studies show though that wetsuits improve performance in weaker swimmers rather than good ones.

US Triathlon rules allow competitors to wear a wetsuit if the water is 78 degrees or cooler. If the water is between 78 and 84 degrees, they can choose if to wear it or not but they won’t be eligible for awards. “Race promoters like them because they are flotation devises that add a little extra safety for the not so good swimmers,” says Jack Murray at Jack and Adam’s Bicycles. “Great swimmers do not get as much help, poor swimmers get the biggest advantage, and the swimmers in the middle get just enough to put them on the feet of the better swimmers.”

What do triathletes say?
Patrick Evoe: “You swim faster with a wetsuit without a doubt, but if the water temperature is too high, then you risk overheating during a hard physical exertion, which can lead to other problems like nausea. Seventy-seven or 78-degree water is pretty warm in a wetsuit. Certain races where I’ve swam in a wetsuit near those temps, I’ve gotten out of the water with my face flushed and beating like I’ve just done a hard run at 2 p.m. in Austin in July.”

Kelly Handel: “I used to always want it to be non-wetsuit. I get warm very quickly, so unless the water is in the 50s or low 60s, I will likely use a sleeveless suit vs. a full-sleeve suit. And then, of course, you factor in that on average the wetsuit makes a weaker swimmer strong and a stronger swimmer not much faster and it’s discouraging. I have definitely swum in water that felt much warmer than 78 in a wetsuit, but when you are competing for money, you want every second you can get so I just try to deal with it and not let it get to me … But in general? Yes, I’d rather swims be non-wetsuit, mostly because I like swimming without them. I feel more free in the water, less restricted, more natural.”

James Bonney: “Regardless, I like to wear a wetsuit when allowed because it is just more fun to me to go faster — or as fast with less effort. Even though most people consider me a good swimmer, I do feel that I get a good boost from the suit. I have swum several 46-minute Ironman swims with a wetsuit, but without I am much closer to 49. I think the wetsuit improves your speed and/or efficiency more effectively at or below about 80 percent effort. Finally, there is the part about looking like a super hero that makes wearing the suit pretty cool.”

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All best windsufers are meeting in Scotland in October. The Tiree Wave Classic is taking place from 11 to 18 October. Organizers confirmed the prize fund of £5,000 in this year’s event.

The event has been taking place since 1986 and attracts over 700 visitors. Apart from windsurfing, also other activities wii be available: kitesurfing, cliff jumping, zapcat racing and blo-karting.

“The event showcases Argyll & Bute and Scotland as a location for international events.” Jim Mather, the Tourism Minister, said. “It brings together sportsmen and women from around the world and gives them a chance to experience the magic of Argyll and the islands.”

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They are numerous, staying active is only one of them. While cycling your body is in a constant move. The other reason is staying in the fresh air. In the meantime you burn fat. Cycling is one of the best ways to burn calories as it provides a great overall workout. What’s more, it keeps your knees and hips flexible. As you rise out of saddle during bumps, your lower back and stomach muscles get stronger. Cycling makes you feel happy as it releases endorphins (happiness hormones). It also makes people look about 10 years if they cycle regularly. For overweight people riding a bike should be an option as the weight is carried by the bike instead of legs. Another thing is, researches show, cycling can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. And last, but not least, it is environmentally friendly as is pollution-free, saves you money on petrol or public transport.

Before you start - Think if you really need an extremely expensive new bike. The one you have already is probably fine. Just check if it fits OK. If you can put your feet fully on the ground while sitting on the saddle, the bike is probably too small or you should raise the seat.

Once your bike is set properly, remember about some gear. You’ll need a helmet, padlock, pump, lights and reflective gear if you’ll be cycling at night.

It seems to be a good idea to start your cycling sessions with three 30-minute rides in the first week. Then you can ride for longer. Once you’re more used to it, you won’t get tired so quickly. Also the terrain you start with should be rather flat. Then it’s good to introduce some hills to challenge yourself.

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Finland is said to be home of the weirdest sports championships. The participants are ready to do almost anything to win the crown. As summer in Finland is short, Finns came up with silly but full of adrenaline activities in order to celebrate this lovely part of the year. The most of the year in Finland is dark, cold and rainy, so they wanted to celebrate the short presence of the sun and warmth. Weird sports championships are also a good way of bringing tourists to the country.

The most popular activities are wife-carrying, air guitar and swamp soccer. Even other nations choose their own contestant to be represented in Finland. These, and others, activities let athletes train and add lots of fun to their daily training. Cross-country skiers, for example, use swamp soccer to train in the summer, when there is no snow, but still they work the same muscles.

Another discipline, mobile-phone throwing, combines recycling with play. Mobile phones are extremely important in Finland. People use them constantly so this sport is also a symbolical liberation from them.

Some sports, such as wife-carrying, have roots in the history. Legend says Ronkainen the Robber tested aspiring gang members by forcing them to lug sacks of grain or live swine over a similar course in the 19th century.

“At first it was difficult to promote them as they were small local events where people did not speak any foreign language,” said Liisa Renfors, at the Finnish Tourist Board. “But now they are raising the interest of foreign press and visitors – probably because they are so different from anything else going in their own countries.”

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A few more info about rollerblading wheels.

Core - consists of the hub and spokes. The inner hub houses the bearings and spacer, which is where the axle resides. The outer hub and spokes bond to the tire material itself, which is the polyurethane.
The core design and material gives the wheel the stability. Aggressive wheels have cores with a solid construction.

Profile - it’s is the cross-section of the wheel where it meets the ground, when viewed head on. The profile determines how much of the wheel is in contact with the surface.

Choosing the wheels.
Once you’ve learned about the properties, you can choose the wheels based on that knowledge. You r wheels have to have the right hardness and diameter for your weight, ability, style, and speed.

If you’re a recreational skater, the hardness of your wheels should be between 78A to 82A. You can also use mixed durometers to achieve a better balance of grip, shock absorption, and durability than is possible with a single hardness.

Wheels the most appropriate for ladies are the ones with 72-mm wheels. Heavier, male skates should choose skates with 80-mm wheels. Mid-weight skaters, males or females, should choose 76-mm wheels.

Summarizing, hardness and size are the most important while replacing the wheels. You might want to check your skates if you have a visible wear pattern on the front or rear wheels. If so, you may want to refit your skates with harder wheels in these positions.

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As we said in the previous blog, before replacing the wheels in the inline skates, you should know a few facts to purchase the right ones.

Hardness - it’s the measurement of the material that the wheels are made from. The higher the hardness is, the harder the wheel. Harder wheels last longer but absorb less shock.
Wheels range from 74A (softest) to 88A (hardest) but recreational skaters can purchase the ones that range from 78A to 82A.
What do the numbers and letters mean? 82A for example means:

~ good fast skating on fast surfaces
~ last longer and are more durable
~ can be used by heavier people
~ more vibration on rough surfaces

78A, on the other hand, means:

~ better shock absorption
~ better traction
~ enhanced rebound
~ less vibration on rough surfaces

Size - it’s the outside diameter measured in millimeters (mm). Faster wheels give more speed. Recreational skates need 72-mm to 80-mm wheels as they give good maneuverability and speed for skating longer distances on trails.
Wheels in the 84-mm to 90-mm range provide more performance for higher speeds. Large wheels, however, are less stable and require more skating ability. This size wheels are usually for racers and marathoners.

Check our next blog for even more info.

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