The giant pool that we use for this race is unique and will be a very special part of the event. It's not heated and the temperature has been a concern of mine. I swam in it yesterday, March 1st and it was 54 degrees. I spoke to the pool managers and lifeguards at Hansen Dam and they explained that because the pool is so shallow (5 feet deep in its deepest places) that the temperature fluctuates quickly in relation to air temperature. It's been very cool in LA for the past week and that's why the water temp is so cold.  This weekend it's supposed to be near 80 degrees in the Valley and that will likely bump up the water temp a couple of degrees. If warm weather continues we could have some really nice water temperatures on race day. As we get closer, I'll report back with pool temperatures so that athletes will know what to expect.

The swim distances are pretty darn short: 300m for Junior Elite, 200m for Youth Elite and 100m for the Discovery Race so I expect many athletes who want to be competitive will forgo the wetsuit and just tough out the water temperature.

This is a USAT Sanctioned race, we go by USAT wetsuit rules and here's a reminder...
Water temp of 84 degrees or higher and no wetsuits are allowed.
Water temps 78-83 degrees and wetsuits maybe worn but athletes who do are not eligible for prizes and awards.
Water temps of 77 degrees or lower and wetsuits may be worn by all athletes.
Also, just a side note, USAT has new rules about wetsuit thickness that will go into effect on January 1, 2013 if you're in the market for a new wetty read this before purchase: http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook/2013-wetsuit-rule-faq.aspx