Hi all - am doing the Channel next month.
My question is - with the water being COLD will facial hair help keep me warm at all in the water. Will only be in for an hour at a time, as it's the relay.
Am thinking of growing some facial hair (beard), and having had one before I know that once it gets long enough it wont chaff.
Would facial hair help keep you warm in the water or will it not matter too much?
Cheers
I’ve done all of my cold water swims clean shaven, so I can’t tell you if a beard would provide extra warmth. But I doubt it would. It’s not the same effect as a beard keeping your face warm on cold days. I would assume the beard would provide about as much protection in the water as a full head of hair provides (which is none, without a cap)!
As for chaffing, have you done salt water swims with a beard? Often what doesn’t chaff in the pool will rub raw in the salt water.
Leonard has the best suggestion of all “Better is some cold water training beforehand”. Find some cold water and get used to swimming your hour swim in 58 – 60 degree water. As for his suggestion of applying channel grease to your face… how gross:), but it would make an interesting photo.
I’ve done all of my cold water swims clean shaven, so I can’t tell you if a beard would provide extra warmth. But I doubt it would. It’s not the same effect as a beard keeping your face warm on cold days. I would assume the beard would provide about as much protection in the water as a full head of hair provides (which is none, without a cap)!
As for chaffing, have you done salt water swims with a beard? Often what doesn’t chaff in the pool will rub raw in the salt water.
Leonard has the best suggestion of all “Better is some cold water training beforehand”. Find some cold water and get used to swimming your hour swim in 58 – 60 degree water. As for his suggestion of applying channel grease to your face… how gross:), but it would make an interesting photo.
