Let me start with that Im a wussy swimmer that hates cold water. With or without a wetsuit, I just hate it. I live in LA and do a few ocean races each year and have no problem as long as it’s not colder than mid-60s. I have no problem swimming against a current or in cloudy shallow water, as long as its not icy cold.
Does anyone know the water temps, and which is colder (Vineman/ Sonoma, Big Kahuna / Santa Cruz)?
I did the Vineman 1/2 last year and the water was low 60s. Those with a half wetsuit froze their ass off. I wore a full and thought it was quite refreshing…
I would guess Big Kahuna is about 58 degrees. Could be a bit warmer or colder but really not much.
My first tri was Big Kahuna in 2002 and the water temp was 56 degrees…feet were numb the entire bike leg but the race is AWESOME and definitely worth the 30 minutes you are in cold water. Vineman has warmer waters…in a river…last year, I believe it was like 66 degrees. Cheers, Kim Mueller-Brown, MS, RD Sports Nutritionist www.kbnutrition.com
Vineman Half water temperatures the past two years have been 74 & 73 respectively … in august that is about as cool as it will get. Even when they put the dam in, in late June, the water temp is uaually in the mid to upper 60’s. Last year we often swam on Saturdays and it was tolerable w/o a wetsuit (and i too am not a fan of cold water) Feel free to email me offline w/ any questions; dave@vineman.com Hope to see you in July!
The Vineman 1/2 river is just a few feet deep and as warm as you can get and be wetsuit legal. In 03 the water temp was over the wesuit temp limit up until a few days before the race. If it is too cold you can walk most of the swim.
Kahuna, always cold.
Dave