Open water swimming - Temperature
Discussion
I'm doing a couple of open water swims this year (something I've never done before). Always done a lot of pool swimming. Anyway, I bought a wetsuit and this morning was my first attempt in it and went to a local spot with a mate.
Now we expected it to be cold but after 5 minutes had to get out. Hands and feet had gone numb and it was too painful to put your face under the water. The areas covered by the wetsuit felt ok though. My knuckles are still sore 1 hour later
Were we just soft or is the water unusually cold for this time of year given the recent arctic weather around Yorkshire? I think we will be giving it another month before we're brave enough to try that again
Now we expected it to be cold but after 5 minutes had to get out. Hands and feet had gone numb and it was too painful to put your face under the water. The areas covered by the wetsuit felt ok though. My knuckles are still sore 1 hour later
Were we just soft or is the water unusually cold for this time of year given the recent arctic weather around Yorkshire? I think we will be giving it another month before we're brave enough to try that again
Wow you are brave. I dive in the UK and wouldn't dream of being in a wetsuit in the water until it reaches about 10 degrees. I don't know if it will affect your buoyancy and performance but have you thought of getting some neoprene boots and gloves? The gloves would need to be at least 5mm and if at all possible dry sealed....
April is still very cold, I do a lot of OW swimming races, always without a wetsuit, but have become well acclimitised over the years. I don't get in the sea before mid May, about 12 degrees is the least I've raced in and that was bloody cold. Ten degree water even with a wetsuit is very cold indeed. By June, you'll be fine.
ETA some of the cold water nutters I know use neoprene socks, gloves or hats. A clubmate went to the world cold water swimming championships in Slovenia a few years back,water temperature four degrees and wetsuits definitely not allowed!
ETA some of the cold water nutters I know use neoprene socks, gloves or hats. A clubmate went to the world cold water swimming championships in Slovenia a few years back,water temperature four degrees and wetsuits definitely not allowed!
Edited by Highway Star on Monday 22 April 17:31
Highway Star said:
April is still very cold, I do a lot of OW swimming races, always without a wetsuit, but have become well acclimitised over the years. I don't get in the sea before mid May, about 12 degrees is the least I've raced in and that was bloody cold. Ten degree water even with a wetsuit is very cold indeed. By June, you'll be fine.
ETA some of the cold water nutters I know use neoprene socks, gloves or hats. A clubmate went to the world cold water swimming championships in Slovenia a few years back,water temperature four degrees and wetsuits definitely not allowed!
Where do you race? I love OW swimming but need to get more race time - done three tris so far and despite being a fairly strong swimmer, the crowdedness and lack of rhythm have been a nightmare. Mid table on the swims, top 20% cycling, usually top 5% running. Darn.ETA some of the cold water nutters I know use neoprene socks, gloves or hats. A clubmate went to the world cold water swimming championships in Slovenia a few years back,water temperature four degrees and wetsuits definitely not allowed!
Edited by Highway Star on Monday 22 April 17:31
Did one without a wetsuit and was considered to be a complete loon.
Don't think the camp velociraptor stance helped.
At least there aren't any jelly legs going on there...
Look at the BLDSA website for a good source of long distance OW swims with high quality small fields and without a load of people crawling over your back at the start. Most are strictly non wetsuit (only Briefs allowed). IIRC you are in Cornwall, they haven't got any there, but the 10 miler at Torbay is testing as is the Fairway Buoy at Exmouth (5 miles in cold water in May). One day I'll do the Champions of Champions in Dover Harbour (5 miles, 2 miles and 1 mile in one day). The official BLDSA events require you to join the BLDSA, but the event entries tend to be cheaper than tris or the big, ever more commercial and busy OW events. There are other non-official BLDSA events available through the site.
The RLSS Brownsea Island swim is consistently good, and interesting tactically, but is now full for this year. That's wetsuit and no wetsuit,I won the non wetsuit class in 2010 and 2011 but for various reasons my training hasn't happened last year or this. I was hoping to go to the European Masters in the pool this year, but that's out of the question now. Did the ASA 3k OW Masters a couple of years back and got a silver.
Anyway, the VO2 organised events are ok, I did them back in 2010 and 2011 but stopped when they refused to recognise non wetsuit swimmers as a separate class, even though I was finishing in the top few amongst the wetsuited guys.
I wouldn't even countenance any swim that starts with 'Great'. Fantastic mass participation events, but not for quality or even enjoyable swims.
Look at the BLDSA website for a good source of long distance OW swims with high quality small fields and without a load of people crawling over your back at the start. Most are strictly non wetsuit (only Briefs allowed). IIRC you are in Cornwall, they haven't got any there, but the 10 miler at Torbay is testing as is the Fairway Buoy at Exmouth (5 miles in cold water in May). One day I'll do the Champions of Champions in Dover Harbour (5 miles, 2 miles and 1 mile in one day). The official BLDSA events require you to join the BLDSA, but the event entries tend to be cheaper than tris or the big, ever more commercial and busy OW events. There are other non-official BLDSA events available through the site.
The RLSS Brownsea Island swim is consistently good, and interesting tactically, but is now full for this year. That's wetsuit and no wetsuit,I won the non wetsuit class in 2010 and 2011 but for various reasons my training hasn't happened last year or this. I was hoping to go to the European Masters in the pool this year, but that's out of the question now. Did the ASA 3k OW Masters a couple of years back and got a silver.
Anyway, the VO2 organised events are ok, I did them back in 2010 and 2011 but stopped when they refused to recognise non wetsuit swimmers as a separate class, even though I was finishing in the top few amongst the wetsuited guys.
I wouldn't even countenance any swim that starts with 'Great'. Fantastic mass participation events, but not for quality or even enjoyable swims.
I dive in a semi dry, usually out of Weymouth / Portland. It is bloody cold this year.. mine is 7mm upper and 7mm lower, central body is 14mm where the two overlap. I wear 7mm boots and 5mm gloves, 5mm hood.
After 45 minutes in the water, my hands are very cold, but torso nice and warm. face though that is exposed is numb !
After 45 minutes in the water, my hands are very cold, but torso nice and warm. face though that is exposed is numb !
Edited by JVaughan on Tuesday 16th July 16:19
Interesting stuff Highway.
While I'm well clued up on surf wetsuits, what's good in try/swimming world? I use a very good Xcel 3/2mm full suit to swim in (when it's too cold for trunks) but it's still restrictive around the shoulders. I much prefer just trunks but there are limits to how cold I'll tolerate!
10 miles? YIKES!
While I'm well clued up on surf wetsuits, what's good in try/swimming world? I use a very good Xcel 3/2mm full suit to swim in (when it's too cold for trunks) but it's still restrictive around the shoulders. I much prefer just trunks but there are limits to how cold I'll tolerate!
10 miles? YIKES!
Jamie VTS said:
What wetsuit have you bought and what thickness is it?
Only just realised there had been a few more responses to this thread My wetsuit is a 2XU T2 like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2XU-T-2-Team-Mens-Wetsui...
3mm thick in most places, 2mm in some
I think we're going to give it another go next weekend. The temperature looks like be upto around 13 deg C following some half decent weather so might be more bearable than our last attempt
Good thread timing; I'm doing something similar this year.
A Caldey - Tenby charity swim, and the swim at the Long course weekend.
I can manage up to 7.5km in a session in the pool, but I've not swum in the sea before. I'm going to need to start quite soon. I'm not looking forward to the temperature!
A Caldey - Tenby charity swim, and the swim at the Long course weekend.
I can manage up to 7.5km in a session in the pool, but I've not swum in the sea before. I'm going to need to start quite soon. I'm not looking forward to the temperature!
Highway Star said:
At least there aren't any jelly legs going on there...
Look at the BLDSA website for a good source of long distance OW swims with high quality small fields and without a load of people crawling over your back at the start. Most are strictly non wetsuit (only Briefs allowed). IIRC you are in Cornwall, they haven't got any there, but the 10 miler at Torbay is testing as is the Fairway Buoy at Exmouth (5 miles in cold water in May). One day I'll do the Champions of Champions in Dover Harbour (5 miles, 2 miles and 1 mile in one day). The official BLDSA events require you to join the BLDSA, but the event entries tend to be cheaper than tris or the big, ever more commercial and busy OW events. There are other non-official BLDSA events available through the site.
The RLSS Brownsea Island swim is consistently good, and interesting tactically, but is now full for this year. That's wetsuit and no wetsuit,I won the non wetsuit class in 2010 and 2011 but for various reasons my training hasn't happened last year or this. I was hoping to go to the European Masters in the pool this year, but that's out of the question now. Did the ASA 3k OW Masters a couple of years back and got a silver.
Anyway, the VO2 organised events are ok, I did them back in 2010 and 2011 but stopped when they refused to recognise non wetsuit swimmers as a separate class, even though I was finishing in the top few amongst the wetsuited guys.
I wouldn't even countenance any swim that starts with 'Great'. Fantastic mass participation events, but not for quality or even enjoyable swims.
Think my mate still holds the record for the brown sea island swim. Look at the BLDSA website for a good source of long distance OW swims with high quality small fields and without a load of people crawling over your back at the start. Most are strictly non wetsuit (only Briefs allowed). IIRC you are in Cornwall, they haven't got any there, but the 10 miler at Torbay is testing as is the Fairway Buoy at Exmouth (5 miles in cold water in May). One day I'll do the Champions of Champions in Dover Harbour (5 miles, 2 miles and 1 mile in one day). The official BLDSA events require you to join the BLDSA, but the event entries tend to be cheaper than tris or the big, ever more commercial and busy OW events. There are other non-official BLDSA events available through the site.
The RLSS Brownsea Island swim is consistently good, and interesting tactically, but is now full for this year. That's wetsuit and no wetsuit,I won the non wetsuit class in 2010 and 2011 but for various reasons my training hasn't happened last year or this. I was hoping to go to the European Masters in the pool this year, but that's out of the question now. Did the ASA 3k OW Masters a couple of years back and got a silver.
Anyway, the VO2 organised events are ok, I did them back in 2010 and 2011 but stopped when they refused to recognise non wetsuit swimmers as a separate class, even though I was finishing in the top few amongst the wetsuited guys.
I wouldn't even countenance any swim that starts with 'Great'. Fantastic mass participation events, but not for quality or even enjoyable swims.
He used to do the 25k events all around the country. included Loch Lomond! He said he used to wear two hats with tin foil in between! Been to Loch Lomond in summer and its bloody ice cold then! Dread to think what it's like just after winter.
There is loads of ow swimming at our dive club. All in swimming cozzys or speedos. Last weekend I was diving in a dry suit, dry loves and a 7mm hood. It was cold. Bottom temperature was circa 10c.
Funny thing was there was more swimmers than divers! In March the crazy fools swimming when the water was 4c and ice on the ground.
Funny thing was there was more swimmers than divers! In March the crazy fools swimming when the water was 4c and ice on the ground.
MrsThatcher said:
There is loads of ow swimming at our dive club. All in swimming cozzys or speedos. Last weekend I was diving in a dry suit, dry loves and a 7mm hood. It was cold. Bottom temperature was circa 10c.
Funny thing was there was more swimmers than divers! In March the crazy fools swimming when the water was 4c and ice on the ground.
Where in the uk do you dive?Funny thing was there was more swimmers than divers! In March the crazy fools swimming when the water was 4c and ice on the ground.
I've never dove in the UK but have over 100 dives in Thailand. Can't imagine there is much to see in the UK that compares
Tried again today and it was much more bearable. Think we were in there for a good 45 minutes. Feet never seemed to warm up but face got used to it quite quickly
Only issue this time was my new wetsuit rubbed really badly on the back of my neck for some reason. I had a rash vest underneath so god knows how bad it would have been without that. Not sure if it was because I didn't have it on properly or what bit it felt quite restrictive around the whole neck area...is that normal?
Only issue this time was my new wetsuit rubbed really badly on the back of my neck for some reason. I had a rash vest underneath so god knows how bad it would have been without that. Not sure if it was because I didn't have it on properly or what bit it felt quite restrictive around the whole neck area...is that normal?
Half mile sea swim yesterday. Really enjoyed it despite tricky choppy conditions. First time I used my Garmin 910xt for open water swimming; works a treat! Also tested newly bought Aqua Sphere Vista goggles; utterly brilliant. A couple of sea swim races lined up.
Still chilly but getting bearable in a 3/2mm decent wetsuit.
Still chilly but getting bearable in a 3/2mm decent wetsuit.
Edited by Vladimir on Sunday 26th May 15:53
Went in and did two miles off Highcliffe yesterday, no wetsuit, just my God given insulation, a pair of jammers and two hats. Was, erm, refreshing! Possibly 12 degrees, but I'm guessing. Was lovely warming up on the beach with a cup of tea afterwards. I'm back down in Dorset in two weeks, so it'll be interesting to see how it's warmed up.
Juanco20 said:
Where in the uk do you dive?
I've never dove in the UK but have over 100 dives in Thailand. Can't imagine there is much to see in the UK that compares
Of course diving in places like Thailand, Egypt etc is fantastic, warm water and plentiful marine life to see! However I only go diving abroad once a year and I thoroughly enjoy diving so diving in the UK is a great alternative. There a plenty of wreck dives and if you are lucky you may see seals or basking sharks! I've never dove in the UK but have over 100 dives in Thailand. Can't imagine there is much to see in the UK that compares
Scapa flow is one of the best dives I have ever done and its located right here in the UK ! http://www.scapaflowwrecks.com
To quote fourth element;
"Diving in the UK isnt about warm water, crystal clear vis, 5 star hotels, easy safety stops, slipping into a wetsuit on the boat and sunbathing during the Surface interval, IT IS about anticipation, bacon butties at dawn, crisp mornings in the car park, rough rib rides through the swell, anticipation, seeing a shadow below turn into a wreck and most of all it is about adventure!"
Kind of cheesy but sums it up for me
I went for an open water swim last week, my first of the year. I have a similar 2XU wetsuit and use a neoprene hat and was ok to be honest. Only stayed in for 1500m and my hands and face in particular were pretty numb afterwards. Its just a case of getting used to it to begin with I think.
Doing Outlaw Half Iron distance this weekend so hopefully the lake there warms up a bit!
Doing Outlaw Half Iron distance this weekend so hopefully the lake there warms up a bit!
To answer the OP, April is nearly the coldest time of the year for water. At least for the sea, the water temperature lags behind the air by a few months. The graph on this website shows the temperature in Brighton over a typical year for instance: http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Brighton_1/sea... . Most open water swimmers in the UK start in about May/June (this year was particularly cold and many lakes didn't open as planned on May 1st) and swim through to September.
Regarding open water lake swimming, I tried to get into this two years ago so I could do Triathlons. Even with the water at 20 degrees and wearing a good and well fitting swimming wetsuit I couldn't stand it for more than 400m at a time; 800m if I gritted my teeth and suffered. I had decided to quit completely, until last week when my wife and I stayed in a hotel by a lake in Austria and I swum in the lake several times in just my swimming trunks and was quite happy in the 20 degree water. What I'm trying to work out now is whether my local lake is telling porkies with their water temerpature, the Austrian lake were wrong, or whether swimming wetsuits are just useless at insultating you (or both..) I'm a fairly skinny guy so I normally feel a huge benefit from wearing a wetsuit for other watersports.. I'm going straight back to my local lake when we get home from our holiday and trying again!
Regarding open water lake swimming, I tried to get into this two years ago so I could do Triathlons. Even with the water at 20 degrees and wearing a good and well fitting swimming wetsuit I couldn't stand it for more than 400m at a time; 800m if I gritted my teeth and suffered. I had decided to quit completely, until last week when my wife and I stayed in a hotel by a lake in Austria and I swum in the lake several times in just my swimming trunks and was quite happy in the 20 degree water. What I'm trying to work out now is whether my local lake is telling porkies with their water temerpature, the Austrian lake were wrong, or whether swimming wetsuits are just useless at insultating you (or both..) I'm a fairly skinny guy so I normally feel a huge benefit from wearing a wetsuit for other watersports.. I'm going straight back to my local lake when we get home from our holiday and trying again!
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