i swim on the south shore of long island, New York and stopped about a week ago when the bay hit 58degreesF. Now that i found a wet suit that actually allows my shoulders to move i want to go back. Is anyone else swimming on the Great South Bay ? and does 58 sound dangerously cold to anybody? There was only one time where i experienced teeth chattering shivering type after-swim conditions and that was probably because i had cut my foot and was having to tend to that.
At low tide the water is only about 2 to 4 feet so it is always reassuring that if there is a real shock to the cold, one can walk back. I was swimming okay without a wetsuit in 60deg temps for 20-25 minutes. I'm wearing a double bathing cap, grease but no goggles because they just fog in the cold.
thank you in advance for your opinions!
A few of us in RI have done some late season swims. The latest we have gone is second week of November. We wear neoprene caps, booties, wetsuits, and even neoprene gloves, and we still find we have to be very careful and watch one another for the effects of hypothermia. I understand that people who swim in the ocean every day can get used to the cold water, but we haven't experienced that. I would suggest you have not only swim with a buddy, but that you stay close and talk to one another during the swim. You might include someone to watch from shore while you swim and make sure you get back alright. There is not much margin for error should you get into trouble from hypothermia, and they could call in a rescue, or come drag you out of the water themselves, should you need it.... The wetsuit does provide some measure of safety.
A few of us in RI have done some late season swims. The latest we have gone is second week of November. We wear neoprene caps, booties, wetsuits, and even neoprene gloves, and we still find we have to be very careful and watch one another for the effects of hypothermia. I understand that people who swim in the ocean every day can get used to the cold water, but we haven't experienced that. I would suggest you have not only swim with a buddy, but that you stay close and talk to one another during the swim. You might include someone to watch from shore while you swim and make sure you get back alright. There is not much margin for error should you get into trouble from hypothermia, and they could call in a rescue, or come drag you out of the water themselves, should you need it.... The wetsuit does provide some measure of safety.
