Safe open water swimming Temps

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2016-05-15 3:29 PM


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Subject: Safe open water swimming Temps
Was thinking of doing a swin in a lake near me yesterday. Air temp was 75 water temp was 65. Is that too cold to swim without a wetsuit. Was thinking of doing about a45 minute swim

2016-05-15 3:40 PM
in reply to: Jpt234

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
It really depends on your adaptation and your activity level. If you are active, it's probably not going to give you hypothermia if that's what you are asking.
2016-05-15 3:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
The coldest swim I've had in a race was 61°F. I had only one race colder (~53°F) and they cancelled the swim. 61 was not that pleasant but was doable. Having 75° air temperature would mean you can warm up once out of the water.

Edited by nickster 2016-05-15 3:43 PM
2016-05-15 3:44 PM
in reply to: Jpt234

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps

Brrr!  Temperature tolerance can vary a lot from person to person, but I wouldn't swim in that water temp without a wetsuit.  With a wetsuit, I've swam in the low-50's, but even with a suit, hands, feet, and face go numb, and I get an ice cream headache.  In the mid-60's, most people are fairly comfortable with a wetsuit, but would be pretty uncomfortable without it.

 

2016-05-15 4:07 PM
in reply to: #5181871


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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
Ok thank you I'll probably give it a few more weeks to warm up
2016-05-15 6:03 PM
in reply to: Jpt234

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
That's cold but I've swam in mid 50's no wetsuit and survived.


2016-05-15 6:28 PM
in reply to: Goggles Pizzano

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
Most wet suits are rated for 50+ degrees. I've tried under 50 and it just hurt, and I got an ice cream headache.
2016-05-16 4:33 PM
in reply to: #5181881

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
65 and lower i would recommend a wetsuit
2016-05-16 4:38 PM
in reply to: Jpt234

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
It all depends on your body and how prepared are you. I've never had wet suite and I swam in 57 degrees with just a regular swim suite. Yes, it was cold, but I was taking cold baths at home every single day for 20+ minutes to get used to. I did a race in low 60s and it was fine, but again: cold baths every day, from hot sauna to cold shower, increasing heart rate before going to water, and then once you're in the water, don't stop moving. That's the tips I read somewhere last year.
Again, depends on your body.
2016-05-16 4:58 PM
in reply to: #5182145

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
We're all different... Anything mid 50's is good for me but if you think you'll be cold, neoprene cap and booties will keep you more than warm.
2016-05-16 9:51 PM
in reply to: Jpt234


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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
I am a bit heavy and 65 would not be an issue. I see ladies however getting cold toes and fingers at higher temperatures then that.

You will not know until you try it.

Bring a friend if you are scared and hot clothes in case you need to warm up quickly. Unless you already have a wetsuit in which case you can simply wear it and decide afterwards if it was worth it.

My first triathlon was 68 water temp, 48 air temp. I ended my weekend in a spa and a well deserved hot bathtub. It was awesome!

2016-05-17 7:33 AM
in reply to: Goggles Pizzano

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps

Originally posted by Goggles Pizzano That's cold but I've swam in mid 50's no wetsuit and survived.

Yep me too.  55 deg F is really cold with out a wet suit, but once you go numb is just as tolerable as 65 degs. It only take about 2 minutes to go numb. 

The Ironman St. George 70.3 that I did last week had a 62 deg F water temp and 55 deg air temp.  The water felt great to me.  

 

http://www.coldwatersafety.org/WhatIsCold.html

2016-05-17 8:31 AM
in reply to: BlueBoy26

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
I was just going to post the link to their website.

Personally, I have done a couple HIMs with water temps around 67-68F in a sleeveless wetsuit and was fine. However, I handle the cold pretty well in general (and hate the heat).
2016-05-17 1:26 PM
in reply to: Jpt234

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Subject: RE: Safe open water swimming Temps
That would be too cold for me. I live in Miami. Brr. But it honestly depends.

Are there other people swimming in that lake now? Can you ask them directly? I find that the best thing for open water swimming is to find a few people who love it and want to do it a lot. Those people will almost always say, yes!! do it!!

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