What are the wetsuit rules and water temperature limits?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the World Triathlon Competition Rules (section 4.2), wetsuit use for age-group athletes depends on water temperature:

Age group	Swim length	Wetsuit forbidden	Wetsuit mandatory
Youngest to 55-59	Up to 1500 m	22 ºC and above	15.9 ºC and below
Youngest to 55-59	1501 m and longer	24.6 ºC and above	15.9 ºC and below
60-64 to oldest	All distances	24.6 ºC and above	15.9 ºC and below

Wetsuit specifications: wetsuits cannot exceed 5 mm thickness anywhere (in a two-piece suit the combined thickness where the pieces overlap cannot exceed 5 mm, with a tolerance of 0.3 mm). A wetsuit may cover any part of the body except the face, hands and feet. When a wetsuit is mandatory it must cover at least the torso.

Swimskins: age-group athletes may use swimskins in all events and distances and in all water temperatures. A swimskin must be 100% textile material and must be removed after the swim.

When wetsuits are forbidden, the bib number may not be worn during the swim (a warning, then disqualification if not amended).