Last season was my first season and didn’t do any open water swims early on. This season I am taking it more seriously and have a full wetsuit and whatnot and was wondering how cold is too cold for open water swims. Just for reference I am in Rhode Island. Also if there is anyone in the area, where would be a good place for open water swims? Thanks a lot
That’s all about personal tolerance. I’m in the Pacific Northwest and we have people start asking about it when the water temps hit mid-50s. That’s when I started this past year because I was doing IM CdA and the water was expected to be cold. I know other people who will swim in the low 50s, and I did one or two of those, but I HATE swimming in cold water. I like 65+.
Try it when it is in the mid-50s and see how it feels. If that’s too cold, 60 would work in a pinch.
I did two races last year where the water temp was 56-57. It was take your breath away cold. Painfully cold, even with a full suit.
Don’t know that I’d have the stones to swim much colder than 55.
I start Open Water swimming when the temps hit 57 F.
Aaron
BTW - Definately have company. If you get into a panic or hyperventlate you are in big trouble. Cold cold water is really shocking. If you’ve taken an ice bath, think of that reaction only with your entire body.
I’m about to move somewhere where there’s plenty of water, but it’s all cold… did you use neoprene booties/gloves/hat?
Cold is all relative…I swam off Alki Beach (Seattle for you non-PNW people) this past Sunday for a good 20-25 minutes!! The water was 40 deg F and the air was 50, so it felt warm getting out!!
Strike this and see my post below.
Since I am confident in my open water swimming ability I probably would swim alone much under 65 deg F
jaretj
Gads, you swim in that temp?? No thanks!
Yes, booties and a cap for sure.
Seriously? I’m very confident in my swimming as well but I never swim alone. Cramps and other random happenings will kill you if no one is around.
I’ve done a HIM in 52 deg. (swim shortened to 1500m v.s 1900) for that reason. It was VERY cold but I survived. Shifting a bike or even un zipping the wetsuit once out of the water was a difficult task from motor function in my hands being affected. My feet were numb for about the first 20 minutes of the bike. I did the same race last year and it was 56. It’s amazing the difference between 52 and 56. It’s day and night. 56 was cold but had no problems once out of the water and I was in it longer as the swim was not shortened like the year prior. A full wetsuit and a neoprene cap will go a long ways. The cap makes a huge difference believe it or not.
Duhh…I don’t know how I messed that up. Maybe watching TV and writing on the internet don’t mix.
What I said:
Since I am confident in my open water swimming ability I probably would swim alone much under 65 deg F
What I meant to say
Since I am confident in my open water swimming ability I probably wouldn’t swim much under 65 deg F. I really don’t need the practice that bad.
jaretj
Don’t forget that you can pee in your wetsuit to help keep you warm. Or you could do the preventive thing, and use nice warm water in the wetsuit first. This really does make a BIG difference when it comes to temperature. Another thing you can do is put vaseline on your face for those REALLY cold days. It helps create a nice layer between your skin and the water. This works for swimming in cold water, or diving (diving in cold water in a wet-suit can be an interesting experience).
I have a home on a lake in Minnesota and usually swim within a couple weeks of ice-out, and I hate being cold (but not as much as I hate the pool by the end of the winter). Like Goallout said, the squid-lid is key since you lose so much heat through your head. Also booties and neoprene gloves if the temp starts with a 4. A properly-fitting wetsuit is more important that at other times.
Getting the water in your wetsuit the first time, putting your face in the water, and the first 60 seconds of swimming are pure hell, but then you warm up quickly and it feels fine.
Do you have any recommendations for which gear (eg gloves/cap/booties)?
Cheers.
Cold is all relative…I swam off Alki Beach (Seattle for you non-PNW people) this past Sunday for a good 20-25 minutes!! The water was 40 deg F and the air was 50, so it felt warm getting out!!
You sir, are insane.
I just raced in 52 degree water, and that sucked. Getting out my feet were totally frozen, I felt like I was running on stumps on the way to my bike. There were a bunch of people in sleeveless suits, and I can’t imagine what that was like.
As other posters have said high 50s actually isn’t too bad, but low 50s is too cold.
Just for reference I am in Rhode Island. Also if there is anyone in the area, where would be a good place for open water swims? Thanks a lot
I’m over on the Vineyard so our weather is pretty much the same. If there is a real warm spell I’ve started swimming in shallow fresh water by April 15th. Tough, but doable. By May 1st all the fresh water is fine; by May 15th I’m in sheltered salt water.
Full suit, cap, and this year booties; I can’t wait!
Your profile says you’re in VA, but please, PLEASE tell me the HIM you’re referring to is not the Kinetic Half. I’m signed up for it this year, and it’ll be my first HIM distance. I don’t want to add “frigid water temp” to my worry list…
Squid lid is a QR, available in many stores that sell QR wetsuits. Booties are old enough that I can’t see the brand, but they’re regular zip-up dive booties available at most dive stores (not the shorty water-shoe type). Gloves are H2Odyssey neoprene surfing gloves.
I know some folks who wear a full hood (from a windsurfing suit, for example) rather than a squid lid. I think this is probably a slightly warmer set-up, but I find the hood awkward while breathing.
I also wear a short-sleeve rashguard under the wetsuit. Not sure that really does anything for warmth, but it makes me feel like I’ll be warmer.
Usually put a regular latex swim cap over the squid lid. This is mostly so that others can see me better, but I think it also helps keep water from circulating in and out of the squid lid.
I am indeed in reference to Kinetic. C’mon, it’s Virginia and April. Actually they moved it to May this year I think? I’m not doing it this year though. Lake Anna should be good and warm by May, so no worries. April on the other hand…not so warm.
The bike is rolling but not too bad. There are a couple hills on the back half of the loop that aren’t too bad the first loop, but hurt a little on the second loop. The run was changed to 3 loops last year and I assume it’s the same this year. It went by fast and none of the hills were too bad. Good luck.