Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?

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2011-05-25 7:12 AM


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Subject: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
I was just planning on using a wetsuit, but is some type of swim cap necessary and/or required for water that is somewhat cold (but will hold races in 2 weeks). 

2011-05-25 7:16 AM
in reply to: #3517417

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Master
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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
How cold is "somewhat cold"?
2011-05-25 7:18 AM
in reply to: #3517420


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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
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2011-05-25 7:19 AM
in reply to: #3517417

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
Regardless of water temp, I always wear a swim cap in open water (and i hate swim caps), so that I am more easily seen by boaters.....before they hit me.
2011-05-25 7:20 AM
in reply to: #3517423

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?

Afletcher - 2011-05-25 8:19 AM Regardless of water temp, I always wear a swim cap in open water (and i hate swim caps), so that I am more easily seen by boaters.....before they hit me.

Exactly!  Always wear a bright colored swim cap.

2011-05-25 7:21 AM
in reply to: #3517417

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?

iOrlando - 2011-05-25 8:12 AM I was just planning on using a wetsuit, but is some type of swim cap necessary and/or required for water that is somewhat cold (but will hold races in 2 weeks). 

A latex swim cap is required at almost all tris (it is so you can spot the swimmers more easily).  If required they almost always give you one in your race packet.

As for a neoprene cap (a lot warmer and thicker) there is no official rule, but you really would not need one unless you are talking about water that is in the 50s or 60s.

2011-05-25 7:37 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?

iOrlando - 2011-05-25 8:18 AM 61

I recently followed some advice from others on here for an OWS at 56 degrees: extra neoprene swim cap ($8 at REI), and ear plugs ($4 at CVS). It helped a lot - the cold wasn't such a problem. Made it possible to pay more attention to all of my other OWS ineptitude.

2011-05-25 7:59 AM
in reply to: #3517454


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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
you dont wear ear plugs during races do you?
2011-05-25 8:04 AM
in reply to: #3517417

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?
I swam yesterday for the first time and the water temp was low to mid 50's at best with just a regular cheap speedo swim cap.  I was plenty warm, or more accurately I wasn't too cold.  I don't have earplugs, but I wear an H20 Audio Interval player, and the ear buds keep the water out of my ears.
2011-05-25 8:30 AM
in reply to: #3517498

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Master
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Subject: RE: Open water swimming (somewhat cold) - swim cap required?

iOrlando - 2011-05-25 7:59 AM you dont wear ear plugs during races do you?

I do, I'm not going to hear much anyway and I think they help me stay comfortable in cold water and I am far more stable-less wobbly when I get out of the water

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