So we have our annual Memorial Day 3 mile 0WS this weekend. Water temps look to be 68 degrees or so. I’ve done colder swims but only for about a mile and a half. My concern is hypothermia towards the end of the swim. I have a wetsuit but really hate wearing it. It’s a downstream, point to point river swim with about a .5 mph current. What are your thoughts/ experiences at this temperature and distance?
I wouldn’t be worried. Been doing same distance or longer in sme temperatures without even thinking it could be a problem. Below 55f, i would wear neoprene hood and perhaps socks.
Did 2100m today in 60F no gloves, booties, or hood. Little cool, but easily could have kept going.
So we have our annual Memorial Day 3 mile 0WS this weekend. Water temps look to be 68 degrees or so. I’ve done colder swims but only for about a mile and a half. My concern is hypothermia towards the end of the swim. I have a wetsuit but really hate wearing it. It’s a downstream, point to point river swim with about a .5 mph current. What are your thoughts/ experiences at this temperature and distance?
How big / small are you ? How little fat?
68f (=20C) I could spend all day in the water in a wetsuit. And a couple of hours without. I just find I lose some power as my arms and shoulders get chilled.
But I’m probably porkier than you.
I did a 5+ miler in 15.5C (60F) last Sept, and was fine whilst swimming. Wetsuited. Plenty of folks did it in skins too though inc some ladies who were not as big as me. But equally one of my buddies (6ft6, sod all fat) was turning blue before he got innthe water !
If it is a race, wear the wetsuit if they let you. If it is just a fun swim(where you dont care about time or place) and you just want to be able tell everyone you did it without a wetsuit, then leave it at home.
68 fresh water is pretty cold for longer distances, but not sure what distance this really is(or your speed) as it swims out with the current. Is it a 40 minute swim, hour, 2 hours for you?
I’d go with the wetsuit. With the current, the slower turnover and longer glide that comes naturally with swimming in a wetsuit will be an advantage and your comfort level should be greater (and you will def. be faster).
Can you do it w/o a wetsuit? That’s really individual. Swimming Alcatraz (1.5mi.) I’ve seen folks be fine in a Speedo, and others suffer in a full-sleeve/neoprene cap/booties. One year (61deg. water) I finished right next to another swimmer wearing the exact same brand/model wetsuit I was. I was overheating (to the point of loosening the neck closure with 500M to go) and they had to be treated for hypothermia, everyone’s different.
I appreciate the responses from everyone. I’m 5’9â€, 145 lbs. Last weekend I did a mile and a half in 64° water and was fine .It’s not a race, just a swim club event. This will be my first time at this distance with this temperature so I’m not sure what to expect. However I’m sure I’ll be fine. I will probably take the wetsuit and then play it by ear once I get to the start.
If you are acclimated to that temperature then you’ll do better than if you aren’t. Be sure to have something to bundle up in after the event so you can go from water to dry to warm as quick as possible. You may have the extreme shivers for a few minutes.
I’ve swam in sub-70 without a wetsuit many times and I usually get the extreme shivers when it is around 60F. I get cold during the swim when it is down to 57F. I am scared of being too cold at around 55F. I’ve learned not to swim nekked below 55F (for my body). Most of my swims are 60-120 minutes.
The guys I’ve swam with (who have less bioprene) seems to get the shivers starting around 62F.
…my vote is to go without the wetsuit and see what your body does. You’ll be with other people, it isn’t a race, and you’ll find a new boundary. Just be safe!
When I’m too cold during a swim, I just start kicking extra (I’m normally a 2-count kicker). That picks up my blood flow and warms me up.