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2009-07-05 7:19 PM

Regular

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Providence, R.I.

Subject: Coldest OWS

So I have my first tri in less than a week (Black Fly Tri in Waterville Valley NH). I called the sponsor tri shop to rent my wetsuit and they said the water temp will be 55 - 57 degrees for the race based on the latest water temps at the lake.

I am confident in my swimming ability but this will be my first tri and that sounds uber cold.

Any suggestions on what I can expect to feel in this?

Also where should i focus as fara s where to put body glide?

Edited by trinigen 2009-07-05 7:20 PM

2009-07-05 7:40 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Regular

98

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

I like these tips a lot. But I can tell you from my first experience swimming in water that cold, its a shock to the system. Get your head and face wet and used to the cold. Otherwise everytime you stick your face in the water your breath will catch. Good luck!

http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/05/28/8-ways-to-handle-swimming-in-cold-water/

2009-07-05 9:14 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Master

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Gold Coast Australia.

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

55 is really cold. I don't know how sensitive your ears are, but ear plugs would be highly recommended. Also, if you can put 2 swimming caps, do it, and possibly rent a full wetsuit, not sleeveless.

2009-07-05 9:21 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

I did a swim race recently in water that was 55-56ish and it was shocking, but not terrible. I was in a sleeveless suit and chose not to double cap because it made my head hurt. It is hard to exhale in water this cold so if you can get in and acclimate for a minute or two it is helpful. Be prepared for your hands and feet to go numb. You can wear neoprene booties if you want to stay warmer. Cold water swimming is actually kind of fun, enjoy it!

2009-07-05 9:22 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Champion

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Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

Did the TTT two years ago, we did 4 swims in 3 days in water <60 deg. The three things I can think of are:

1. Warm up, get in the water before your event, and do a longer swim than usual as a warmup. The acclimation is priceless. This is the most important thing.

2. Double bag your skull - two swim caps. Cover the ears and you need no earplugs. I'm not even sure what earplugs would do to help with the cold anyway.

3. Make sure you have a fullsuit (sleeves, not a bibjohn or sleeveless). That'll help, but not immensely important.

The things I think are unecessary are booties, a neoprene head-thingy, earplugs, or any special warming gear in T1 to counteract the cold water effect. And last - the most common mistake, especially if you're not warmed up, is to hold your breath. It's a reaction that happens when you put your face in cold water...I found myself, even warmed up, not exhaling underwater, but gasping trying to exhale AND inhale while you are taking your breath. This doesn't work....make sure you're relaxed and exhaling underwater.

2009-07-05 10:34 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Alturas, California

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

45F was the coldest ows I have done. It was snowing.

2009-07-05 10:42 PM

in reply to: #2263581

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Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

Baowolf - 2009-07-05 8:34 PM 45F was the coldest ows I have done. It was snowing.

I did mid 40's for about a month this past winter. It took about 5-10 minutes in the water for my face to go numb, and after that it wasn't so bad. Of course it helped coming back in to the house for a warm shower after those swims. I wouldn't want to bike and run afterwards, because half the time I was borderline hypothermic after 40 minutes of swimming despite the wetsuit, gloves, booties and hood. The cold temps do keep it real, though.

2009-07-05 11:13 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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San Jose, CA

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

I regularly swim in ocean water (northern California) that ranges from 52 to 57. 52 feels pretty cold on the face at first. 57 feels lovely and comfortable with a wetsuit on!

The only thing I can say is to be sure to get a good warmup in so that you are used to your face being in the water before your wave starts. I don't use squid lids, ear plugs, etc at these temperatures and I feel fine for hour-long swims, but your mileage may vary!

2009-07-05 11:23 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Bay Area, CA

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

ear plugs are good if you get dizzy in colder water, which a lot of people do. Consider one of those neoprene hoodies too, I swim in 52-55 degree water frequently and both help

2009-07-06 7:57 AM

in reply to: #2263207

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Concord, NH

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

I swam the Black Fly swim course on Friday and it was a shock for my first OWS. I did have issues breathing in the water because of this. I had a wetsuit, but it is a bibjohn (short legs and sleeveless). Warming up in the water may be tough for this race since it is a TT start and not a mass start race.

2009-07-08 2:33 AM

in reply to: #2263207

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Long Beach, CA

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

Did a 52 degree swim in a sleeveless wetsuit. BRRRRRRRR! What helped was a neoprene swim cap. I then put my race cap over it.

2009-07-08 12:07 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Expert

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SF Bay Area

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

About 50 is cold enough for me. Luckily, it doesn't get much colder than that here. 50 makes my hands hurt after about 15-20 minutes.

2009-07-08 12:13 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Lethbridge, Alberta

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

You also asked about where to put the body glide. I usually put some around my neck, and on the sides of my chest and lats, and the upper inner biceps, where the underarm material can fold or bunch up. Some people recommend using a bit around your ankles and wrists to help with pulling the wetsuit past but I haven't had a problem with that yet.

Edited by Micawber 2009-07-08 12:14 PM

2009-07-08 12:57 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Expert

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SF Bay Area

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

Not a big fan of bodyglide under the wetsuit. I don't feel like it really does anything. I use some TriSlide/TriGlide or whatever it's called on my legs and arms just to make it a little easier to take off. If swimming in 55, I would wear my neoprene cap under my race cap (I love that thing).

2009-07-08 1:02 PM

in reply to: #2263461

Iron Donkey

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, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

rkreuser - 2009-07-05 9:22 PM

Did the TTT two years ago, we did 4 swims in 3 days in water <60 deg. The three things I can think of are:

1. Warm up, get in the water before your event, and do a longer swim than usual as a warmup. The acclimation is priceless. This is the most important thing.

2. Double bag your skull - two swim caps. Cover the ears and you need no earplugs. I'm not even sure what earplugs would do to help with the cold anyway.

3. Make sure you have a fullsuit (sleeves, not a bibjohn or sleeveless). That'll help, but not immensely important.

The things I think are unecessary are booties, a neoprene head-thingy, earplugs, or any special warming gear in T1 to counteract the cold water effect. And last - the most common mistake, especially if you're not warmed up, is to hold your breath. It's a reaction that happens when you put your face in cold water...I found myself, even warmed up, not exhaling underwater, but gasping trying to exhale AND inhale while you are taking your breath. This doesn't work....make sure you're relaxed and exhaling underwater.

Yep. x2. I have a neoprene head cap with my wetsuit, then put their thin plastic one with your number marking over that.

If you don't have booties, be prepared to get numb. Some races may not allow the gloves, though.

I used a full mask googles, which seems to help a little with covering more of the face and allowing me to be a little more tolerant to the cold than just wearing regular goggles.

I did Spirit of Racine in Racine, WI in Lake Michigan. It was around 56 to 57 degrees F. Brrrrrrr. I spent some extra time in the water before my wave to get acclimated. I think it helped, anyways.

2009-07-08 4:10 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

x3 on the neoprene cap. Makes the swim totally different!

2009-07-08 5:23 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Tyler, TX

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

I'm amazed (and somewhat skeptical) that water can actually be that cold in the middle of the summer! Maybe it will warm up a few degrees in the next 10 days? Then again, I swam this morning in water that was 82-83, and I'm waiting until after 9 pm tonight to go running when the temperature might finally drop under 95 degrees....

Brian

2009-07-08 8:48 PM

in reply to: #2263207

Regular

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Doylestown, PA

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

coldest for me to date was 61 degrees for 500m. i was wearing a sleeveless wetsuit. It was cold at first but i got used to it fast and it was out of mind.

im swimming alcatraz in a little over 2 months... hear that will be about 57. bought a full sleeve suit for that event.

i've been taking freezing cold showers in the morning and post-pool swims for the past month. Not sure if it will help me adjust or not but figure it can't hurt. And on the plus side, I'm early for work!

2009-07-08 8:57 PM

in reply to: #2263207

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Lake in the Hills, IL

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

My last HIM the water was 54 and I thought there was no way I was going to be able to finish it when I tried the day before. What made all the differance for me was purchasing a neoprene skull cap from a scube shop for $25.00. When I started the swim I swam a ways with my head out of the water to try to get warmed up and then put my face in. Believe it or not you will get used to the temp eventually. You will be a little numb though when you get out of the water. Get a full length suit. I am sure you know that already though.

2009-07-09 5:59 AM

in reply to: #2271370

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The Whites, New Hampshire

Subject: RE: Coldest OWS

famelec - 2009-07-08 6:23 PM I'm amazed (and somewhat skeptical) that water can actually be that cold in the middle of the summer! Maybe it will warm up a few degrees in the next 10 days? Then again, I swam this morning in water that was 82-83, and I'm waiting until after 9 pm tonight to go running when the temperature might finally drop under 95 degrees....

Brian

It has been raining non-freaking-stop here. Keeps it super-cold. All the streams on the trails would take down any foot swelling in, oh, about thirty seconds if you stuck bare feet in them.

Saw a great tip on here once - wrap those chemical hand warmer around your bike handlebars. Helps your hands warm up. Maybe one in your helmet, too. Good luck - I'll be cheering from across the state!

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