I've been swimming in open water for two years now, but this will be my first winter swimming without a wetsuit. I plan to make it through the winter, although right now I can only go about 1/2 a mile. I really want to work up to at least 1 mile at the current temperature (60 degrees). So I have many questions on my mind, but here are a couple to start off with:
1) In the last month, my caloric intake per day has nearly doubled!!! I know part of it must be from swimming in cold water--I think my body is trying to develop an extra layer of fat to protect itself--but there might be other factors (I've also started lifting weights etc.). So I wonder if anyone else has experienced the same thing.
2) I swim at La Jolla Cove at night--is there anyone here who is interested in joining me? Otherwise it's just me and the sharks!
I have a lot of other questions burning on my mind...I am so glad I found this forum!
Former Member
Another question (I told you i had a lot!)...
Does cold water swimming increase aerobic conditioning? My theory is that cold water swimming is similar to training at high altitude, because the cold water restricts your airways and makes it harder to breathe, so your body has to do the same exercise with a decreased level of oxygen. I don't know if I just made that up or if it's true.
"2) I swim at La Jolla Cove at night--is there anyone here who is interested in joining me? Otherwise it's just me and the sharks! "
I swim there on Sunday afternoons,..not every Sunday but a few times a month,..maybe I`ll see you New Years Day for the Polar Bear Swim?
Another question on this general topic...do you find that cold water swimming makes your immune system really strong? Of course, it might just be luck as I've only been doing the cold water thing for a couple months...but I feel healthier than I've ever felt. I swam through the fires and through the dirty water with our big storm a week and a half ago, and never felt better.
it_kam:
I don't notice that while i'm in the water, but when i swim in really cold water i notice that my muscles are really stiff after i get out. if i have soreness or stiffness from lifting, it is exacerbated by the cold water.
Ron:
I'm not sure but i will try to make it to the Polar Bear swim:party2:
When I swim in cold water I eat more, I feel healthy (in reply to your 2nd question) and my tolerance for cold weather is much better
I would like to add a question:
I'm currently swimming in (60 - 63 degrees) water for 1 to 2 hours, it feels like my body is stiffer and less flexible compared to swimming in hotter water (+ 70 degrees) for example It takes me 3-4 more strokes to complete 50 meters in cold water. Has anybody else experienced the same?
I know this thread is sort of turning into a blog, but...
I swam today with earplugs for the first time and oh my god how they make a difference! I went twice as far as i expected considering the water temperature. I had no idea earplugs protected you from the cold that much.
A swim cap in itself is like a wetsuit for a lot of swimmers as it keeps the heat in , earplugs are a plus also and can keep you from becoming disoriented in cold water. See this page for details on caps (maybe you have seen swimmers at La Jolla Cove with these caps) and some links to some open water swim sites like the SF Bay Dolphin Club and SERC swim club. They swim in SF Bay with no wetsuits just caps in 55 F water year round!
Cold Water Swim Caps
www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
Actually 55 in SF Bay right now would be down right balmy - during the winter, it actually gets down to 50 and sometimes even into the 40's for a week or two during the winter. We expect the water temp to be right at 50 on New Year's Day when members of the South End and Dolphin Clubs do our traditional Alcatraz swim.
I guess it builds character or some such nonsense!
