I started swimming about a year ago and have really fallen in love with it. I've only swam in open water and have no desire to go in a pool.
I swam right through the winter in the ocaen here in New England in 37 degree F water with a triathlon wetsuit. The water is warming up, now it's about 47F.
I was wondering at what temperature should I try swimming without a wetsuit? I was thinking that maybe I could try it when the water hits 50F. Anybody have any suggestions?
I sort of have a goal in the back of my head to swim the English Channel someday.
Paul,
I am an open water swimmer who lives in Colorado. I have swam without a wetsuit at 49 degrees, while not as enjoyable as one could have it. There were three of us who swam that day. We all were training to swim the English Channel. This swim made me feel very much alive. I have also swam at 10,000 feet in a lake that had snow melting into it. I am not sure of the temp, but my chest was tingling the whole 30 minutes I was in it. Care must be taken swimming at anything below 55 degrees. Make sure you know the signs of hypothermia. The one I always look for is not remembering a phone number that I have known nearly all of my life.
Paul,
I am an open water swimmer who lives in Colorado. I have swam without a wetsuit at 49 degrees, while not as enjoyable as one could have it. There were three of us who swam that day. We all were training to swim the English Channel. This swim made me feel very much alive. I have also swam at 10,000 feet in a lake that had snow melting into it. I am not sure of the temp, but my chest was tingling the whole 30 minutes I was in it. Care must be taken swimming at anything below 55 degrees. Make sure you know the signs of hypothermia. The one I always look for is not remembering a phone number that I have known nearly all of my life.
