OK,
Today it was 42 deg water in Long Island Sound and it is getting tough on the feet, hands and face. Anyone else still swimming in the Metro area? Just curious.
Glad I'm not the only dorker who swims with a thermometer tied to her suit sometimes :)
(I get curious as to how much "warmer" or "colder" the warm or cold patches really are..)
So how much warmer or colder are they? I'm curious, but like backstroke too much to swim with a thermometer. :)
Former Member
We have one swimmer who ties a thermometer to her suit--it hangs down below her as she swims. (I've tried this, it doesn't impede your stroke unless you like turning over to do backstroke now and again.) Hers is the official temp reading when she's out there. If she's not, our longtime swimmers estimate a temp. I used to be skeptical about the latter method, but it's uncanny how well they match the thermometer readings!
Glad I'm not the only dorker who swims with a thermometer tied to her suit sometimes :)
(I get curious as to how much "warmer" or "colder" the warm or cold patches really are..)
Former Member
So how much warmer or colder are they? I'm curious, but like backstroke too much to swim with a thermometer. :)
to me even 1 degree feels significantly different when it's below 60. I was surprised!
Swam Thanksgiving! It's getting cold.
Observation: the flatter and calmer the water, the colder and the choppier, the warmer. I think the chop stirs up the warmer water underneath? When it is glass, the top water cools overnight due to radiant loss....a theory.
I still like flat.
Monterey Bay is between 52º to 60º year round. Come join the Kelp Krawlers every Sunday 11:15am at Lover's Point parking lot in Pacific Grove. All are welcome (no charge), wetsuit optional. We do between 2-3km. It's like church for us.
Former Member
I'm still swimming as of 12/11 here in Long Island Sound. The water is probably still a comfortable 50 (though I have finally put on the wetsuit), but the air is now COLD. It was below freezing on Sunday. The swim was great. I may be done for the year (it's hard to get out there when it's always dark after work), but I'd like to go in at least once more to beat my previous latest swim (December 12th).
Water was in the mid 40's today. The feet numbed up no problem, but the hands were a problem. Two caps and the head was OK and the face stung for a while.
Wind picked up and white caps formed so the swim was about 1000 yds.
I should be able to do a descent swim on New Year's day to ring in the new year.
