Your hyperlink includes the '.' it should be this instead.

I don't know what the coldest acceptable temp would be, but putting wool under a wetsuit sounds like a terrible idea to me. Neoprene caps (especially), socks, and gloves would probably help to a nontrivial extent. How cold do you expect the water to be?

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>How cold do you expect the water to be?

Doh! Just noticed on your site:

"The water temperature is expected to be between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius."

I have swam in 54F/13C water on numerous times for workouts and have only added a neoprene cap under my swim cap. (Along with a full Orca wetsuit)

As long as you aren't standing around in the water too long it is not too bad. Some of the people I swim with also use ear plugs to help with the ice cream headache

I think that anything under about 54F is pretty chilly. We've done two triathlons this year already at about that temp, and the only thing we've added is a neoprene cap. With the longer time in the water for an IM swim, I think it might be appropriate to allow booties. They did that at Escape from Alcatraz last year when the water was in that range.

Your race looks interesting, but I think you may have to go some to claim the title of "World's Toughest" iron distance. Embrunman is extrodinarly difficult, and that's mostly because of the bike course. Also, the new Mountain Extreme Triathlon, which is off road, with over 9000' of climbing on the bike might just have a claim as well. Check it out here http://www.mxtri.com/index.php

Good luck with your undertaking, and let us know how it goes.

I did a half IM in New Zealand in December and the water was about 52-53F. Way too cold for me as it triggered my asthma. 56-60F is cold, but doable.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

There is a nice article in our club newsletter on this subject written by one of our USMS club swimmers here in Montgomery County. The author is a neuro surgeon and has swum the english channel, catalina island crossing and a few other notable cold water swims.



http://www.pvmasters.org/...ter/May-03/May03.htm

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I was, now I will tri again!
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Any time is a good time.
God Bless you my friend.

That was a good article. I know from my days as a Naval Aviator that outside air temperature and wind speed also speed up heat loss in water. You might check with the Navy or Coast Guard in your country and see if they have some tables you could use.

The notes I have seen for this years world champs in Queenstown on the South Island of NZ are saying to expect the water to be in the range of 14-18 degrees - has me panicing already!

IMCali, 2000.

That swim was VERY cold. Sub-60 degrees for the whole swim- I think they said it "made it up to" 59.8 by the time the last entry exited the water. Only a few dropouts from the cold though.

Might want to check on the rules for booties and gloves. At the time, we were told it was illegal to use anything on the hands and feet. Head was alright. Most people just threw on an extra swim cap, ear plugs, and vaselined their feet- Don't do the hands, you'll never be able to see again if you touch your goggles.

As far as being the toughest- It's not the terrain that makes an IM hard (although it makes a good challenge), but the distance.

Rob

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http://www.reathcon.com

IM Cali 2000 wasn't that bad, well, except for the extra length. It was probably 60F at least and I did it in a sleeveless wetsuit.

Whomever mentioned the WCs in New Zealand....yeah, that will be COLD!

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

1 degree under the acceptqable wetsuit limit. I hate cold water. Hate it. You will only get my T1 from me when you pry it from my cold, wet fingers. Did I mention I hate cold water?

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com