Staying warm in cold swim

neoprene hoodie for the head makes a world of difference.  Your face will be stingy from the cold for about 500 yds but 61 is not "that" cold.  Just resist the urge to ball up (to stay warm) and just keep going. You will warm up.

Edited by sax 2009-08-23 6:22 PM

Ear plugs!! the wax ones work great. I also like a double swim cap, I use a tyr thermal with the race cap over it. I've heard some people put bubble wrap between the 2 when it is really cold.

Edited by freeflykami 2009-08-23 7:49 PM

You could try booties, too.


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Edited by trishie 2009-08-23 7:53 PM

x2 on the neoprene hood. I did a lot of cold water training early in the year (low 50's) and this was the biggest aid.

The ear plugs are a very interesting idea.  I never even thought of that.  Do they make a big difference with the little bit of water that gets in your ears to chill your overall head?  I'm definitely going to get a double swim cap which sounds like it would be a huge help.  Thanks!

biggest tip?

move somewhere warmer... besides that i have no personal expereince to offer...

carry on

As others have said.  Use a neoprene hoodie and ear plugs.  However, check the lake temp again at the end of this week.  This is Chicago and depending on the direction of the wind, the lake flips temperature a decent amount this time of year.  It could be back into the low 70's by weeks end.  I was in the water after a run yesterday without a wetsuit to cooldown.  It was cold but I wasn't that uncomfortable.  You should be fine with a wetsuit.  I'd be more worried about all the diesel fuel we'll be swimming in . 

60's should be doable in just a wetsuit.  I just did one in Maine where it was 62.  I normally swim in the 70's.  I admit that I thought I was never going to be able to do it but during my warmup it took about 5 minutes and I was fine.  During the actual race it never even bothered me.  Pretty much everyone was just in a wetsuit, although I did see one with booties on.