A new generation of triathlon and open water swimming wetsuits will be on show in Britain for the first time at the Triathlon Show, which takes place at Sandown Park on March 2-4.
Meticulous research lies behind the launch of Huub wetsuits (pronounced hoob), which challenge current wetsuit design thinking.
Huub means ‘bright mind’ in Dutch and is also the name of the principal of the Swimming Research Centre in Amsterdam, where the suits have been researched.
Huub Toussaint’s extensive testing quantified the benefits using a suit that puts swimmers into the correct body position based on their ability.
So convincing were the results from Amsterdam’s hydrodynamic facility that Nottingham-based Turning Point Investments put the finance together to ensure Huub could launch in time for the start of the 2012 season.
One potential British Olympian has already made the decision to wear the suit this year.
Toussaint says: “What we found surprised us, but we saw some swimmers improve by up to 30 per cent in the suits.
“There is a big difference between natural swimmers and those not from a swimming background, and Huub are the first to really understand this and cater for it.”
He adds: “85 per cent of triathletes don’t come from a swimming background and they need increased buoyancy around the thighs and hips, whereas natural swimmers need even leg and chest buoyancy to maintain correct body position in the water, particularly to activate the kick.”
All Huub suits come in two varieties – one for natural swimmers and one for those with sinking legs.
The company has put buoyancy panels in the right places to create the optimal position, as well as supporting the core and hips through the X-O Skeleton design to improve streamlining.
The flagship Archimedes suit delivers buoyancy and flexibility that has been designed to precision, based on extensive scientific and practical swimming development.
The Archimedes offers additional bicep and calf release panels, which further improve efficiency.
The mid-level Aerious suit offers the same buoyancy and stability system as the Archimedes, while the entry level Aegis suit is available for both men and women and features Smooth Skin neoprene throughout. It is the only suit at this level to do so. With 2mm neoprene around the shoulders, it’s also exceptionally flexible.
Huub has also designed the Aura, a bespoke suit for women.
Noting that women have less dense muscles and therefore are less likely to sink in the water, the Aura is perfectly balanced for fast swimming and has calf release panels to promote better kick and faster removal.
Huub’s entry level suit will retail at £220, with the top end suit selling at £495.
The Aura is priced at £350, ensuring the whole range is accessible to a broad audience of swimmers.
Suits will be available from April to buy from TFN, Total Fitness Bath, Royals, Wildside and Fitsense Sports.
