COLD Open Water Swim Tips Sought

Sounds like you have all the good tips     Done the Alcatraz swim 3X (tho... never in March!), the only tip is to emphasize the jumping off the boat part.  I wouldn't worry about the earplugs, if they are in securely they are not going anywhere.  I would put a hand over the goggles.  But yes, the shock of the cold water can be.....   breathtaking.  Quite literally.  If you can practice jumping off a dock, it would be a good experience I think.

Oh, and get away from the boat ASAP.  You will sink quite a bit, but pop up fast with the neoprene.  Last time I did it woman behind me landed squarely on my kidney as I popped up.  Don't want to be in the splash zone for very long, try jumping off to the side.

Good tips but if I were to add anything.  Don't get worked up about it.  Just jump in and swim.

Maybe I'm better at cold water than others, but Alcatraz and IMAZ, the water get's pretty cold.  Yeah, it sucks the first 5 minutes, but after you get swimming, I think it feels fine (full wetsuit on though).

Good tips. I swim in those temps a lot on the Central Coast and have gained a few other ideas.

Cap/neoprene/cap is often known as the "cap sandwich" promoted by Emilio DeSoto. I've taken it a step farther, and wear two (!) neoprenes when it's dipping toward the 40s. In the swim season, I have a cap layer v. temperature scale in my head.

Of course the most obvious tip is to practice OWS in cold water. I made a point of getting in the water before Oceanside, and although the high 50s drew endless complaints at the race, I might have been the only person who said it felt warm. That said, this year I think I'll bring an insulated bottle of hot water to squirt into the wetsuit before swims.

The ear plug thing is a matter of personal preference. Some people love 'em and say  they're essential, but I don't get an advantage with heat loss, and don't like the sensory effects.

One tip I'd add is a favorite that I just remembered this weekend in my chilly backyard pool: exhale. It might just be me, but I'm a lot better in the cold water if I make a point of exhaling forcefully. This helps me find my stoke and confidence quickly.

Fun stuff! I haven't been in the ocean since the time change, and lust after the Water World Youtubes from the Aquatic Park. Love it. Absolutely love CA OWS, no matter how cold!

Those tips are really helpful!

I will participate this year escpae from Alcatraz too.

but this is my first time to swim in a very cold water like that.

I will prepare the wetsuit and the neoprene cap.  Do you think the neoprene socks are MUST?

or barefoot is still ok?

Thank you very much!

Booties are personal preference, like ear plugs. I'd try them to see how they feel. Most people don't use them (I don't) but that doesn't mean anything.

Aside from doing a few miles in the water to make sure you're comfortable, it's most important to have the right caps for you, and to make sure they cover your forehead really well since that's a major source of heat loss. Pull the caps low, to your eye brows, just shy of the goggles, but make sure you don't create a leak with a cap under a goggle seal. The back of your head is a lot less important.

Thank you very much for your advice!

currently I don't have place to train the cold open water swimming. all I can do is swimming more and try to take cold water shower...