First, I know "cold water" means something different to everyone. I live in Florida, so cold water to me is anything below about 70 F. However, I have a question/comment about using/not using wetsuits in cold water swims.
For most triathlons, if the water temp is below 78 F, they allow wetsuits...I think it's more like 75 F or so for the pros. So, I'm wondering why so many OW swims don't allow or (for safety) require wetsuits?
There seems to be this purist mentallity that using wetsuits, no matter how cold the water is is just wrong. Maybe in some ways that is true, but putting 100s of swimmers in 60 F water for a 5k swim with limited safety boats seems dangerous. How many have actually swam in 60 F water for that long? How many actually know they can handle this water temp for that long? How many will recognize hypothermia symptoms and stop? How many can actually get help quickly if there is a problem? Sure, some of these races have the wetsuit division, but it's always considered not ranked and seems to have this "outcast" type feeling behind it.
Should football players not use pads because it isn't manly or pure? Should baseball players not use gloves to catch balls? No, because many will get hurt and it is dangerous. Why is using or mandating wetsuits not the same for water temps that are say below 65 F...or some number anyway? They provide safety to the swimmer by preserving core the temperature and flotation if someone has a problem with the cold water. Yes, they do provide an advantage in the water because of the flotation and being more streamlined, but if everyone is in a suit, it doesn't really matter. And, the reason for wearing the suits is because the water is cold, not because they want to go faster, like the how the tech suits are used.
Anyway, just some thoughts and questions for the group.
Dave
Former Member
All the "purists" who have worn a tech suit in a meet, please raise your hand.
I run a long/cold open water race and have looked at wetsuits with mixed emotions. I currently allow them in a separate category. (Thinking about getting rid of it). I don't wear tech suites and think they are a tremendous waste of money.
Safety
I don't find wetsuits add any safety factor; hypothermia can get you in 80 degree water. I’m more worried about sudden cardiac arrest (not due to cold). As for floatation, it only takes a little water to drown and lying face down in it works well. Since the wet suits are tight they supply few hand holds. People keeping watch are the only safety.
Attitude
As for the attitude that wetsuit wearers have to put up with at the beach. I guess it may be partly the result of people that have worked hard to endure the varied conditions of open water swimming, listening to someone brag about kicking ass while getting out of their 3 -5 mm of neoprene.
As for me, how can I expect to compete in all these warm water events (65+ degrees)? How can my needs be met by race organizers? My god heatstroke is a very real menace, along with dehydration, how can I be protected? what crutch can I lean on? Maybe I'll have to do it the old fashions way, train to the conditions and distance.
Sincerely
William Schulz
I have to go with grumpy on this. While training for his swim I had to use a pool for one day a week, the water was so hot that i begged the coach to throw ice on me (and he did). I had to back off sometimes to keep from getting heat prostration. FIguring out how to train for cold in warm conditions is part of the game. We've seen wetsuited swimmers drown ehre in events. If the swimmer cna't manage without it then they are at great risk. The only positive thing is that older swimmers who are losing some of thier ability to thermoregulate can continue to enjoy limited exposure to cold water with a wetsuit when they can no longer manage without one.
I worry that the wetsuit users feel safer than they really are and take on race challenges that they shouldn't becuase they feel they are "drown proofed".
I run a long/cold open water race and have looked at wetsuits with mixed emotions. I currently allow them in a separate category. (Thinking about getting rid of it). I don't wear tech suites and think they are a tremendous waste of money.
Safety
I don't find wetsuits add any safety factor; hypothermia can get you in 80 degree water. I’m more worried about sudden cardiac arrest (not due to cold). As for floatation, it only takes a little water to drown and lying face down in it works well. Since the wet suits are tight they supply few hand holds. People keeping watch are the only safety.
Attitude
As for the attitude that wetsuit wearers have to put up with at the beach. I guess it may be partly the result of people that have worked hard to endure the varied conditions of open water swimming, listening to someone brag about kicking ass while getting out of their 3 -5 mm of neoprene.
As for me, how can I expect to compete in all these warm water events (65+ degrees)? How can my needs be met by race organizers? My god heatstroke is a very real menace, along with dehydration, how can I be protected? what crutch can I lean on? Maybe I'll have to do it the old fashions way, train to the conditions and distance.
Sincerely
William Schulz
It sounds like you are saying that temperature and hypothermia are unrelated?!?!
I can however, see your point with the rest of the post. Cold water and dealing with the conditions seem to be a fundamental part of the sport. It's hard core and if you can't deal with it then find something else.
I can't think of another sport where this would be the case - if you are skiing you can wear a hat, if you are a football player you can wear gloves and thermal underwear, etc.. Not much you can do if you are too hot.
Herb
I did not say that temp and hypothermia were unrelated, just stated that hypothermia can get you even when the temp is 80. It all depends on time and the individual’s susceptibility. I don’t believe I have ever seen a manual that states ‘hypothermia only happens below xx temp’, it just becomes more likely the lower the temperature.
after spending a week here in dover, and having spoken about nothing except channel swimming i can say that the "traditional" approach is quite systematic.
you train in water that reflects the temperature and conditions you are looking to compete in.... period. on the day of your event, there should be no question as to weather you are prepared or not. start with short sessions and gradually increase exposure. swim in the dark, in the rain, in the wind.... practice feeding, sighting, etc. you might experience shivering, nausia, and yes hypothermia. there is nothing any more macho about it than lifting heavy weights or doing underwater sdk's.
the communities of open water swimmers that i have had the pleasure to acquaint myself with are all extremely friendly and supportive .... and yes, many naked swimmers started off as wet-suiters.
I always thought I was a fan of the wetsuit. Until I finally did a race without one. What a difference! And so much more ENJOYABLE! Still, I can't totally knock them - there is no way a cold wimp like me could handle my favorite swim of the year (the Provincetown 1.4 mile across the Bay) without a suit AND a thermal cap. Cold stinks!
And as long as we are on the subject - I have a horrible time trying to do any sort of breaststroke in a wetsuit. I usually will take a few breaststrokes here and there to rest and orient, but I get so much buoyancy from the suit I can't keep my legs underwater!! It's bizarre. Anyone else struggle with this?
I also feel that OW swimming is a sport that you train for the elements. I do not wear a wetsuit nor do I own a tech suit. I feel that requiring a wetsuit would be out of the question. Everyone handles the cold differently. I would be way too hot & feel sick. I have done an 8 mile swim (temp about 63) with no cold water training & had no problems, no shivering, etc. My body just works that way.
On the other hand, I have had reverse "discrimination" at a swim. I was one of w/o a wetsuit & asked multiple times, some in not so nice tones, "where's your suit"? I thought I was wearing it :cool:! I was called nuts & a few other things, maybe some true!! This was a swim that wetsuit & non were all scored the same due to water temp (64).
This year I did train in cold water (mid-50's). That was a little on the cold side after an hour & a half!
