I have an Orca full suit and farmer John wetsuits. Being a Wuss I hate cold water. how long would I be able to swim in the full in 42+ degree water? I know it's like asking how long a piece of string is but Eh! These questions have to be asked :-)
Thanks
Just like grandpas diapers....depends.:afraid:
swimming in cold water is potentially dangerous, and 42' is COLD.
Do you have a training partner? a chase boat? access to warming (hot tub, hot shower close)? :coffee:
If the answer is yes to all of these it depends on your ability to withstand cold, body fat, determination etc...
When i swim in cold water (no wetsuit high 50's +) the first hurdle is getting my face in the water. i tend to hyperventilate when the waters cold making it tough to swim. i'll start with a couple strokes, stop and slow my breathing, try to add strokes until i'm actually swimming.
Once swimming make sure you pay close attention to how your feeling.
Your hands and feet my become numb; for me it's not a big problem.
BUT...
if i start to enjoy myself or feel that "it's not too bad" then it's time to get out.
Once out it can take a while to warm up. i've spent 30 min. in a hot shower, stepped out and started shivering. A hot tub is helpful but a hot bath will be ice cold in a matter of minutes. A long hot shower and a long nap:bed: are great for recovery.
good luck!
Are you crazy? That is cold!!! Headache cold.
Please take Water Ratts advise.
You also mentioned your wetsuits. Wear only long sleeve wetsuits, no farmer johns. And I would suggest a hood too. If you don't have one, wear a wool cap under your bathing cap!!
Good luck.:agree:
I'd suggest you try to get into the water every day (or as often as you can) without the suit. Initially, dont bother too much about swimming. Just get in and out at to start with. Then after a week or so, swim 20-40m every day. Build it up a few metres each day, count your strokes. As the weeks roll by you build up resistance to the cold so you won't feel it any more , you will be able to cover progressively longer distances and *bonus* the water is getting a little warmer at the same time.
Not quite up to 55F yet. Its currently 12C/52F here (end April). Our lowest sea temp here this year was on Jan 7th when it was 2.5C/36F. "A bit sharp" as they say here.
If the lake is up to 47 or higher, you should be good to go in a wet suit. How long? As long as you can safely stand. I received a wet suit for Christmas last year, and tried it out in Long Island Sound on Friday (maybe 45 degrees) and was shocked by how warm I was. I couldn't really swim too long because I had no ear plugs in, but otherwise I could have stayed in indefinitely. Let the fun begin!
