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.
Another thing to consider is the air temp and weather forcast for your swims.
At the Chesapeake Bay Swim this past weekend, water was supposedly 73 degrees (felt a bit warmer), but the sun was HOT and beating down at 90+ air temps. To use the imagery of one of my teammates, she felt like a hot sausage in her wetsuit. Most wetsuiters reported similar feelings.
I went with the speedo (earning Mr. Chaos' OW Swimmer Seal of Approval), and the cool water, even in the colder shipping channel, felt great.
Another thing to consider is the air temp and weather forcast for your swims.
At the Chesapeake Bay Swim this past weekend, water was supposedly 73 degrees (felt a bit warmer), but the sun was HOT and beating down at 90+ air temps. To use the imagery of one of my teammates, she felt like a hot sausage in her wetsuit. Most wetsuiters reported similar feelings.
I went with the speedo (earning Mr. Chaos' OW Swimmer Seal of Approval), and the cool water, even in the colder shipping channel, felt great.
