When can age-groupers wear a wetsuit?
Rule- South Africa
- IRONMAN
- IRONMAN 70.3
- IRONMAN Competition Rules
- Long-distance triathlon
- Age-group 18+
- 2026
- Athletes
Under IRONMAN Competition Rules 4.02, for age-group athletes:
| Water temperature | Wetsuit |
|---|---|
| Below 16 °C | Mandatory |
| 16 °C up to and including 24.5 °C | Allowed |
| Above 24.5 °C, up to 28.8 °C | Not allowed for competitive age-groupers. At certain events, IRONMAN may run a separate non-competitive wetsuit wave, but athletes in it are not eligible for awards or World Championship slots |
| Above 28.8 °C | Prohibited |
Breaking the wetsuit rules means disqualification.
Wetsuit specifications:
- It may cover any part of the body except the face, hands and feet.
- It may be no more than 5 mm thick. For two-piece suits, the overlapping pieces combined may not exceed 5 mm.
- The outermost layer must fit tightly while you are swimming.
- You may wear your race kit underneath, and a neoprene cap is allowed when wetsuits are allowed, with the official cap on top.
Professional athletes have a lower limit: wetsuits are allowed only up to 21.9 °C.
Added 22 Oct 2026