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.
Parents
Former Member
...I can normally swim fine in lakes, but as soon as I put my face in this freezing lake, it took my breath away...
The gasping is caused by the vagus nerve in the nose. You can minimize this response by leaving your face out of the water until you've warmed up with at least five minutes of head-up swimming. I find it also helps to get back on shore for a few minutes after that initial warmup swim, recover a bit from the shock of the cold, then get back in. When I get in for the second time the water feels so much warmer.
...I can normally swim fine in lakes, but as soon as I put my face in this freezing lake, it took my breath away...
The gasping is caused by the vagus nerve in the nose. You can minimize this response by leaving your face out of the water until you've warmed up with at least five minutes of head-up swimming. I find it also helps to get back on shore for a few minutes after that initial warmup swim, recover a bit from the shock of the cold, then get back in. When I get in for the second time the water feels so much warmer.
