You don't attach a swim buoy directly to the neoprene. A Blue70 wetsuit is not designed to have a tow float clipped to the suit. Instead, you wear a separate waist belt around your hips, over the wetsuit, and clip the buoy's leash to that belt.
What the buoy does
A swim buoy, also called a tow float, gives you visibility in open water and a place to rest if you need a break. It is not a personal flotation device, and neither is your Blue70 wetsuit. The buoy makes you easier to see and gives you something to hold. It does not replace a swim buddy or a check of water conditions.
Step by step
- Put on your wetsuit first. It should feel snug on dry land, with no wrinkles around the shoulders or torso. If you are unsure about fit, check the Blue70 size chart before you swim.
- Unbuckle the buoy's waist belt and wrap it around your waist or high hip, over the wetsuit. Buckle it at the front or side.
- Tighten the belt until it stays put but does not dig in. You want it snug enough that it will not ride up when you kick. Too tight can restrict your breathing and your catch.
- Clip the leash to the belt's D-ring or loop. Position the clip at your lower back or hip, not at the front, so the leash trails behind you.
- Inflate the buoy fully and check that the valve is closed. Enter the water and start swimming. The buoy should follow behind you without touching your feet. If it hits your heels, shorten the leash.
- If you need a rest, pull the leash hand over hand to bring the buoy to your chest. Hold it, float, breathe, and then let it trail again when you are ready.
Where not to attach the buoy
Do not clip the leash to the wetsuit zipper, neckline, wrist, or ankle. Clipping to the zipper pull can break the zipper or tear the neoprene. A carabiner through a zipper hole or a seam can rip the suit. Do not pin or glue any attachment to the suit. The waist belt exists because the suit is not meant to bear that load.
If your buoy does not have a waist belt, use a separate adjustable swim belt with a D-ring. Do not tie the leash around your waist, and do not clip it to your wrist.
Blue70 wetsuit notes
Blue70 suits such as the Fusion and Reaction use flexible Yamamoto neoprene. A waist belt over the suit is fine, but do not cinch it so hard that it leaves a deep crease when you take the suit off. After the swim, rinse the suit and the buoy separately with fresh water, and dry them out of direct sun.
A properly fitting Blue70 wetsuit sits snug through the torso, so the belt has a stable surface to grip. If the belt slips over slick neoprene, position it at the hips rather than the narrowest part of your waist.
Summary
Wear the belt around your hips, over the wetsuit. Clip the buoy to the belt. Keep the buoy trailing behind you, and do not modify the suit.
