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IRONMAN Wetsuit Rules & Water Temperature by Race
At IRONMAN races, age groupers may wear a wetsuit in water up to 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) and professionals up to 71.5 °F (21.9 °C). Below 60.8 °F (16.0 °C) wetsuits are mandatory for everyone, and above 83.8 °F (28.8 °C) they are banned. Below: the water temperature at 145 races and how often wetsuits were legal.
2026 wetsuit rules
| Water temperature | Age groupers | Professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Below 60.8 °F (16.0 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| 60.8 °F (16.0 °C) to 71.5 °F (21.9 °C) | Legal | Legal |
| Above 71.5 °F (21.9 °C) up to 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) | Legal | Banned |
| Above 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) up to 83.8 °F (28.8 °C) | No* | Banned |
| Above 83.8 °F (28.8 °C) | Banned | Banned |
- * Between 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) and 83.8 °F (28.8 °C), some races (e.g. USA Triathlon sanctioned events) may offer a separate wetsuit wave with no age-group awards or World Championship slots.
- Wetsuits may not be thicker than 5 mm and may cover the whole body except the face, hands and feet.
- Neoprene booties are only allowed in water of 65.0 °F (18.3 °C) or colder. A neoprene cap is allowed whenever wetsuits are, under the official cap.
- Non-wetsuit swims: swimwear must be 100% textile, not cover the neck, with sleeves no longer than the elbow and nothing past the knees. Neoprene (buoyancy) shorts are banned.
- What counts is the official temperature, taken at the swim and announced on race morning.
Source: 2026 IRONMAN Competition Rules, sections 4.02–4.03.
Water temperature by race
| Race | Month | Water (typical) | AG wetsuit | PRO wetsuit | Editions in wetsuits (AG) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta | Dec | 55.9 °F (13.3 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Morro Bay | May | 58.1 °F (14.5 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 2/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant | Jun | 59.0 °F (15.0 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside | Mar | 59.7 °F (15.4 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN California | Oct | 59.9 °F (15.5 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 5150 Coquimbo | Oct | 59.9 °F (15.5 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Arizona | Nov | 60.1 °F (15.6 °C) | Mandatory | Mandatory | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Valdivia | Nov | 61.0 °F (16.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth | Sep | 61.2 °F (16.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz | Sep | 61.7 °F (16.5 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 St. George | May | 62.1 °F (16.7 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton | Jun | 62.1 °F (16.7 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore | Jun | 62.2 °F (16.8 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Wales | Sep | 62.6 °F (17.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo | May | 62.6 °F (17.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia | Apr | 62.8 °F (17.1 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne | Nov | 63.7 °F (17.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence | May | 64.0 °F (17.8 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Peru | Apr | 64.2 °F (17.9 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Calgary | Jul | 65.0 °F (18.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan | Sep | 65.0 °F (18.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 5150 Mont-Tremblant | Jun | 64.0 °F (18.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Westfriesland | Jun | 64.6 °F (18.1 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d'Olonne | Jul | 64.8 °F (18.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm | Mar | 65.0 °F (18.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Florida | Dec | 65.0 °F (18.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn | Aug | 65.0 °F (18.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d'Alene | Jun | 65.1 °F (18.4 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Alcúdia-Mallorca | May | 65.1 °F (18.4 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Tallinn | Aug | 65.3 °F (18.5 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Portugal-Cascais | Oct | 65.5 °F (18.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 4/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Portugal-Cascais | Oct | 65.7 °F (18.7 °C) | Legal | Legal | 4/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Victoria | May | 66.0 °F (18.9 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN Copenhagen | Aug | 66.0 °F (18.9 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay | Nov | 66.0 °F (18.9 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Western Massachusetts | Jun | 67.0 °F (19.4 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero | Jun | 67.3 °F (19.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 San Juan | Mar | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Encarnación | Oct | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Muskoka | Jul | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Pucón | Jan | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities | Sep | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin | Mar | 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Brasil Florianópolis | May | 68.4 °F (20.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong | Mar | 68.4 °F (20.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea | Jul | 68.4 °F (20.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia | Dec | 68.4 °F (20.2 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Lanzarote | May | 68.5 °F (20.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Western Australia | Dec | 68.5 °F (20.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder | Jun | 69.1 °F (20.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden | Aug | 69.1 °F (20.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Les Sables d'Olonne-Vendee | Jun | 69.3 °F (20.7 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 New York | Sep | 69.4 °F (20.8 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina | Oct | 69.6 °F (20.9 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Monterrey | Mar | 70.0 °F (21.0 °C) | Legal | Legal | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Agadir | Oct | 70.0 °F (21.1 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast | Sep | 70.0 °F (21.1 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon | Jul | 70.3 °F (21.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Texas | Mar | 70.3 °F (21.3 °C) | Legal | Legal | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Poreč | Oct | 70.7 °F (21.5 °C) | Legal | Legal | 4/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay | Apr | 70.9 °F (21.6 °C) | Legal | Legal | 2/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Maryland | Sep | 72.0 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga | May | 72.0 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo | Sep | 71.0 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin | Sep | 71.0 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines | Jun | 72.0 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Málaga | Oct | 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman | Jun | 72.0 °F (22.2 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Ruidoso New Mexico | Jul | 72.0 °F (22.2 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN Australia | Oct | 72.5 °F (22.5 °C) | Legal | Banned | 4/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie | Oct | 72.5 °F (22.5 °C) | Legal | Banned | 4/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis | Oct | 73.0 °F (22.8 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Punta del Este | Mar | 73.2 °F (22.9 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro | Aug | 73.2 °F (22.9 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha | Jun | 73.2 °F (22.9 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Buenos Aires | Oct | 73.0 °F (23.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 5150 Encarnación | May | 73.0 °F (23.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Costa Navarino | Oct | 73.9 °F (23.3 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain | Dec | 74.1 °F (23.4 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa | Aug | 74.3 °F (23.5 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Durban | Jun | 74.5 °F (23.6 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona | Oct | 74.5 °F (23.6 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Florida | Nov | 74.7 °F (23.7 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Goseong | Jun | 74.7 °F (23.7 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Japan South Hokkaido | Sep | 75.0 °F (23.9 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Chattanooga | Sep | 76.0 °F (24.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN Wisconsin | Sep | 75.0 °F (24.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Maine | Jul | 75.0 °F (24.0 °C) | Legal | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Muscat | Feb | 75.4 °F (24.1 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Cairns | Jun | 75.6 °F (24.2 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns | Jun | 75.6 °F (24.2 °C) | Legal | Banned | 3/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Shanghai Chongming | May | 75.6 °F (24.2 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Lake Placid | Jul | 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio | Jul | 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) | Legal | Banned | 1/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN France | Jun | 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Türkiye | Nov | 76.1 °F (24.5 °C) | Legal | Banned | 2/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN World Championship Nice | Sep | 76.3 °F (24.6 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Nice | Jun | 76.3 °F (24.6 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Italy Emilia Romagna | Sep | 76.8 °F (24.9 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Texas | Apr | 77.0 °F (25.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley | Jun | 77.0 °F (25.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna | Sep | 77.0 °F (25.0 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast | May | 77.2 °F (25.1 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California | Aug | 78.1 °F (25.6 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Panama | Mar | 78.4 °F (25.8 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Jacksonville | May | 79.0 °F (26.0 °C) | No | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Aracaju-Sergipe | Nov | 79.0 °F (26.0 °C) | No | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN Penghu | Apr | 78.8 °F (26.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Ecuador | Jul | 79.0 °F (26.1 °C) | No | Banned | 1/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Hawaii | May | 79.0 °F (26.1 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Musselman | Jul | 79.0 °F (26.1 °C) | No | Banned | 1/2 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford | Jun | 79.0 °F (26.1 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 5150 Salinas | May | 79.0 °F (26.1 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Nice | Sep | 79.2 °F (26.2 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Muncie | Jul | 80.1 °F (26.7 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN World Championship Kona | Oct | 80.6 °F (27.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/4 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Dhofar | Oct | 80.6 °F (27.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Sergipe | Nov | 80.8 °F (27.1 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Rico | Mar | 81.0 °F (27.2 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Waco | Oct | 81.0 °F (27.2 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | reported |
| IRONMAN Vietnam | May | 82.2 °F (27.9 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang | May | 82.2 °F (27.9 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo | Feb | 82.4 °F (28.0 °C) | No | Banned | 0/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Cap Cana | May | 82.6 °F (28.1 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Los Cabos | Apr | 82.8 °F (28.2 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Riviera Nayarit | Dec | 82.8 °F (28.2 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Campeche | Mar | 82.9 °F (28.3 °C) | No | Banned | 0/2 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Kenting | Nov | 82.9 °F (28.3 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Davao Philippines | Mar | 83.3 °F (28.5 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Acapulco | Nov | 83.7 °F (28.7 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Cozumel | Nov | 83.8 °F (28.8 °C) | No | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Goa | Nov | 84.0 °F (28.9 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 San Salvador | Feb | 84.2 °F (29.0 °C) | Banned | Banned | — | typical |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Barranquilla | Jun | 84.9 °F (29.4 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/1 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena | Nov | 85.3 °F (29.6 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu | Aug | 85.6 °F (29.8 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Louisville | Aug | 86.0 °F (30.0 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/1 | reported |
| IRONMAN Philippines Davao City | Jun | 86.0 °F (30.0 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc | Nov | 86.0 °F (30.0 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay | Jun | 86.0 °F (30.0 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel | Sep | 86.2 °F (30.1 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN Malaysia | Nov | 86.2 °F (30.1 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi | Nov | 86.2 °F (30.1 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast | Jul | 86.4 °F (30.2 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
| IRONMAN 5150 Cartagena | Sep | 86.9 °F (30.5 °C) | Banned | Banned | 0/3 | estimate |
Water (typical): median of the editions with data. Official = the temperature announced by the race; reported = the race-day reading quoted by race reports or press; estimate = sea surface temperature near the swim at start time (Open-Meteo Marine model, since 2023; may differ 1–2 °C from the official reading); typical = the figure published by the organizers. Lake and river swims without an official reading are not listed yet.