How Using a Wetsuit for Open Water Swim May Lead to Sea Sickness

I have discovered an unlikely cure for motion sickness.  Motion.  It all began when I attempted to go on a cruise 2 years ago (the world is made of jello) without taking any motion sickness medicine because such medicine knocks me for a loop.  It’s one thing to be incoherent for a car ride.  It’s quite another to be drugged for a romantic week with the husband.  Unfortunately, I was affected by the gentle bob of the ship as it left the harbor, walking like a drunk sailor when everyone else acted like they were on solid ground.

I had packed an arsenal of options, but quickly found them to be unhelpful.  Determined to have some fun, we went up and tried a little dancing, which amazingly kept my stomach happy.  Fast forward to my open water swim practice in Lake Cascade this July, when I was considering using a wetsuit for the Emmett Triathlon.

The wetsuit was the same one my husband had worn for the Lake Cascade Triathlon last year, therefore proven functional for more than California scuba diving.  Still, while it was nice to avoid the slight chill of the water, I felt I could not use my body significantly from my waist down.  Even though I have become comfortable using a single kick per arm stroke, the wetsuit was resulting in too much limitation and my body was floating more than swimming.

There was a minimal ripple to the surface of the lake.  The benefit of buoyancy began to have a negative affect on me.  My stomach started to churn.  I finally had to give up my swim and climb back on the pedal boat, groaning with nausea.  Since we still had to return to shore, my husband jumped in for his swim, while my daughter and I pedaled along side of him.  Little by little, as I pedaled, I started to feel better, even though the wind picked up and the waves were actually resembling small ocean swells with white caps.

Once on shore, I felt worse again, I suppose because all my motion sensors were completely confused by this time.  I went to our cabin and slept a lot over the next couple of days.

The goal had been to swim in the lake several times during the week, but this first swim had me spooked.  I didn’t want to get back in the water, but I knew I had to.  I decided to try without the wetsuit and was greatly relieved to have full range of motion.  I was not over exerting myself, because a relaxed swim is important for a triathlon, but I was in charge of my movement.  I did not feel sick at all, which is saying something, because I can get sea sick swimming on my back in the lap lane.  I even dealt with the lake weeds that swept through my mouth, and tickled my arms and legs.

It is possible I may try a wetsuit again some day; or I may limit my races to warm water events.  If I want to think about a wetsuit for a race, I will definitely try it out before the race and make sure I have enough mobility in my legs so that I am not at the mercy of any … ripples in the water.