Open Water Swimming Growth and the Role of Wetsuits
Murillo Caldas breaks down the surge in wetsuit demand and why educating amateur athletes is key.
The growing popularity of ocean swims has triggered a surge in wetsuit demand in Brazil. Murillo Caldas explains how the gear benefits amateur swimmers and shares behind-the-scenes insights on athlete education.
The aquatic sports scene in Brazil has seen significant expansion, driven by the ongoing rise of triathlon races and, especially, open water ocean swims. While wetsuits were once seen as exclusive to high-performance competitors or traditional Ironman events, massive adoption by amateur athletes has reshaped the market. In a conversation on the Natação Stemma podcast, Murillo Caldas, head of product development at Mormaii, discussed this shift in behavior and the growing need for consumer education.
The Open Water Boom and Wetsuits
Monitoring Ironman events in Santa Catarina had already shown an increase in demand for the brand's established models, such as 3/2 mm and 5.3.1 mm thickness suits, as well as innovations like the Chameleon model—developed by Morongo, which changes color in sunlight and features a structure designed for hip buoyancy. However, the sharpest jump in demand came directly from the open water circuit.
This movement coexists with a wide variety of rules across the national scene. While traditional, more purist challenges such as the Travessia 14 Bis restrict equipment that aids athlete performance, other events, like races in Itanhaém, allow wetsuits to encourage participation across different skill levels.
Demystifying Wetsuits for the Everyday Swimmer
One of the main points Murillo highlighted was the initial communication barrier with beginner and intermediate swimmers. It was common to hear athletes claim they wouldn't buy a wetsuit because they weren't pros. Marketing efforts needed to emphasize that the gear makes an even greater difference for amateur swimmers, offering significant buoyancy gains, thermal protection, and improved hydrodynamics, whereas professionals often wear them only when mandated by rules or cold water temperatures.
Awareness and the Challenge of Technical Education
With so many newcomers entering the sport, educating athletes on proper gear usage became a practical priority. Customer support teams began fielding unusual questions, including competitors asking whether they should stay in their wetsuits during the cycling leg of a triathlon instead of taking them off in transition.
Curious incidents have also underscored the need for clear instructions and illustrated manuals even for simple accessories. Extreme situations reported at events—such as a competitor spraying anti-fog solution directly into their eyes instead of onto their goggle lenses—show that athlete development requires detailed guidance on where, when, and how to use every piece of sports equipment.