Tyr claims a hydrodynamic drag coefficient of. That means that the outside layer of the suit has a limestone-based micro-honeycomb structure, which forms a ball bearing effect on water molecules for increased water repellency when compared to standard Yamamoto coating. The Sayonara is the first skin to use Yamamoto BRS III fabric. Unique materials and new design features are what set the Sayonara apart. But what it does have is the namesake “skin,” over which water flows with much less hydrodynamic resistance than regular ol’ human skin, with its wrinkles and hair follicles fooling up hydrodynamic flow. The skin doesn’t have neoprene for that effect. Like any swim skin, the goal of the Sayonara is not to provide buoyancy or warmth like a wetsuit. Since then, swim skins have been credited with faster swims in Ironman as well as Olympic-level long-distance open waters swim events. Where does Tyr’s new Sayonara fall in with all of this? Well, first a bit of recent history: the swim skin category is a growing one since Blue Seventy debuted one of the first ones at the Hawaii Ironman a couple of years ago. While the better pool swimmers typically slay me when it’s a calm swim, I tend to have a better day when I can skitter with greater aplomb through the big surf. Well, with luck, it was the same weekend that a big south swell came rolling in. Why would anyone even want a skin unless they live in Hawaii? So amid the various tools I have to play with, I opted to test the Tyr Sayonara at the Solana Beach Triathlon, a North County San Diego mainstay sprint event. No more need for my wetsuit, but still a bit chilly for just swim trunks. Open-water swimming makes swimming fun for me, and the waters off Southern California are fairly tropical, up to 75 degrees F. I’ve gotten over the gnar-gnar feeling of swimming through a kelp forest or sea grasses, and while I still get that tingle of wondering what that dark mass is off to my left, I remember that I am a few steps off the top rung in the food chain so I’m OK with it. I like seeing garibaldi in the distance, stingrays fluttering off the seafloor. I accept that I won’t get the good threshold training, or the great form that clean water in lane lines will present. In an industry full of similar-looking products, Tyr brings to the market a new swim skin complete with new technology and-not surprisingly-speed. For access to all of our training, gear, and race coverage, plus exclusive training plans, FinisherPix photos, event discounts, and GPS apps,
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