blueseventy has launched the THERMAL HELIX, billed as ‘the world’s first purpose built cold water swimming wetsuit’. The company adds that the new suit was ‘born from elite athlete feedback, sponsorship of iconic cold water races and employees of the company requesting a suit that could extend their outdoor swimming season.’
blueseventy started with the performance of its flagship wetsuit, the award winning Helix, and fully lined it with a mid-weight zirconium jersey that enhances warmth. ‘This unique liner dries quickly, minimises weight and offers excellent flexibility.’
“It was very important for us when using the HELIX name that the suit featured the flexibility and buoyancy customers expect from blueseventy. From our very first sample we were pleasantly surprised with the flexibility of the zirconium jersey,” said Mike Orton, blueseventy’s Brand and Product Manager.
Like the popular HELIX, the THERMAL HELIX is built with premium Yamamoto #39 and #40 cell neoprene and features TST panels which maximize movement throughout the shoulders, arms and chest.
A long-lasting high-grade traditional YKK zip provides solo swimmers the ease of getting into their own suit. A full neoprene catch panel helps to ensure warmth at the wrists. All seams are triple glued, blind stitched and internally taped at high stress areas.
Orton continued, “We analysed what the dive and surf industries do for cold-water adventures and we pushed our manufacturing team to establish new ways to glue, stitch and tape. Along with our THERMAL Cap, Socks and Gloves we’re excited to push the limits of cold water swimming with our THERMAL line of gear.”
blueseventy’s CEO, John Duquette, added, “I couldn’t be more excited about the launch of the THERMAL HELIX. This is a project we’ve been working on for a few years and the path that it took from idea to market personifies our brands philosophy of using athletes testing in real world conditions to develop the best possible product.”
Professional triathlete Sara McLarty wore the THERMAL HELIX at last year’s Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon where the swim is held in the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay. Sara said; “The THERMAL HELIX made a huge difference in the temperature of my core and extremities while swimming in water below 55 degrees [12 degrees Celsius]. Just like the other HELIX models, it maintained its flexibility, comfortable fit, and buoyancy in all the right places.” Sara exited the swim as the first female.
