With the bay bridge swim around the corner and water temps not looking to be greater than 65 degrees I am wondering what advice you guys have for surviving the cold.
How long do you think someone can last in 65 degree water with a wetsuit?
Do whatever you feel most comfortable with regarding wearing a wetsuit. However, you cannot simply carry over water temperatures from a pool to saltwater. Since you are swimming continuously and for some other reason I admittedly do not understand, I have always found that I have much better cold water tolerance in the ocean than in a pool. In the ocean, 63 degrees feels fine for most swimmers, while in a pool 73 is too cold.
If you get in the ocean, try swimming a brisk warmup pace for 400 yards. Most swimmers will find that as long as the water is at least 63, they will not have any trouble staying warm and comfortable. 68 is seemingly not a problem for most swimmers including the most cold water intolerant. Others, myself included, find that our easy tolerance runs down to 58.
I do ocean swims in southern california and my observations about water temperature is based on watching other swimmers respond to the water. Your cold water tolerance does improve with time, and experience.
Hope you enjoy your swim, and good luck.
Do whatever you feel most comfortable with regarding wearing a wetsuit. However, you cannot simply carry over water temperatures from a pool to saltwater. Since you are swimming continuously and for some other reason I admittedly do not understand, I have always found that I have much better cold water tolerance in the ocean than in a pool. In the ocean, 63 degrees feels fine for most swimmers, while in a pool 73 is too cold.
If you get in the ocean, try swimming a brisk warmup pace for 400 yards. Most swimmers will find that as long as the water is at least 63, they will not have any trouble staying warm and comfortable. 68 is seemingly not a problem for most swimmers including the most cold water intolerant. Others, myself included, find that our easy tolerance runs down to 58.
I do ocean swims in southern california and my observations about water temperature is based on watching other swimmers respond to the water. Your cold water tolerance does improve with time, and experience.
Hope you enjoy your swim, and good luck.
