Had my first open water swim up in the frozen north. It was simply wonderful to be outside and swim free!! ( no admission costs!!)
I was the only swimmer in the group (14 of us) without a wetsuit but the water temp , 68 or 19, and was surprisingly warm. We did a 80 min workout and I was toasty warm the whole time.
I noticed that focusing carefully on the smaller details of my technique has certainly paid off. And a bonus, with the clear water I could check to see those tell tale bubbles around the hand in the pull and could make corrections.
A great workout. Back in the lake tomorrow. Once acclimatized to this temp, I will move to a cooler lake and adapt to that. I know not all waters are this delightful temperature !
Looking forward to the open water season.
I agree about the excitement of swimming in freshwater lakes. For the last ten years I have been swimming in lakes, mostly lakes above 8,000 ft. elevation. Most of the lakes are clear and clean and yes cold. Average summer lake tempratures are between 50 to 62 degrees. Due to the remoteness of most lakes swum, we do wear wet suits as a precaution and make use of a floatation buoy. There is nothing quite like swimming in water that you can comfortably drink, has the clarity of bottled water, and a mountain view that inspires great feelings of being alive. I am curious to know if you have had experience swimming in ocean water. I noticed that swimming in lakes that have the same temprature as the ocean, feel colder in the fresh water. I have not been able to understand this. Is this sensation similar to that of what is refered to concerning wind/chill factors? Meaning the outside temprature feels colder when the wind is blowing.
Have fun with those lake swims.
I agree about the excitement of swimming in freshwater lakes. For the last ten years I have been swimming in lakes, mostly lakes above 8,000 ft. elevation. Most of the lakes are clear and clean and yes cold. Average summer lake tempratures are between 50 to 62 degrees. Due to the remoteness of most lakes swum, we do wear wet suits as a precaution and make use of a floatation buoy. There is nothing quite like swimming in water that you can comfortably drink, has the clarity of bottled water, and a mountain view that inspires great feelings of being alive. I am curious to know if you have had experience swimming in ocean water. I noticed that swimming in lakes that have the same temprature as the ocean, feel colder in the fresh water. I have not been able to understand this. Is this sensation similar to that of what is refered to concerning wind/chill factors? Meaning the outside temprature feels colder when the wind is blowing.
Have fun with those lake swims.
