Water Too Cold?

Triathlon Forum
1

I know everyone has different thresholds but about what temp is water too cold to race without a wetsuit?

2

32 degrees
.

3

Thanks…but this is a serious question.

4

Well, it really depends. How cold is the water you normally swim in? How long is the swim? I’d say the shorter the swim, the colder you could go without a wetsuit. Personally, I’d say that if you go below 65, most people would want a wetsuit with a few hardcores going without.

5

Well, I do the sport for fun so anything below the legal limit I wear a suit. I don’t care for cold water.

6

Thanks Nick, just getting a bit nervous for my first tri in a couple of years and i don’t have a wetsuit. I am sure the water will be fine since it’s been in the 90’s and will be all week!

7

Where is the race?

8

The Monday after the Weekend The Pool Heater Broke, we did a full, and mostly normal swim practice in 59-60F water. I’d say I wouldn’t want to go any colder than that.

I find the high 60s to actually be pretty comfortable after the first 100 or so yards of swimming.

9

I went to a swim clinic for my first tri the other day and the water was 56 degrees…after the first 5 minutes I was fine and didn’t mind it. There were a few people with ill-fitting wetsuits though, and they were all thoroughly miserable…

10

I’d say 67 or so.

11

Two years ago, in a sprint, half mile swim, 59 degrees, sans wetsuit. I’d say 58 is my limit.