_ForceD_

My open water swim season is getting close to the end. (Well, at least for my northern environs here in RI. Wife and I spend winter in Ft. Lauderdale now, and we’ll go there at the end of Dec, until April-ish. I do some OW swims along the beach in relatively warm water.) I did a 2-mile swim last Thursday sans wetsuit and the water was 65°F. I usually have several at that temp in the spring, and again in the fall. The open water in my area generally doesn’t get much above 75°F at its warmest in late summer. (For reference, indoor pools at fitness centers, YMCA, etc, are generally about 82°F.) I’ll probably swim open water a few more times…with wetsuit. And although I tolerate it, and I know I can do it if necessary…even a few degrees colder, I just don’t enjoy it as much as I do in warmer water. — Dan

Steve B.

A few lakes whose temps were much lower than the pool I usually swim in. I did an open water in a cove of San Fransisco Bay once, Aquatic Park, where my BIL swims once per week. Wore a speedo and a thermal swim cap. Water was 58. I was in for about 30 minutes - to the buoy and back, then 45 in the sauna.

ArgoMan 

Steve, how did that work out for you? The reason I am inquiring is that I have a late October event through Alpha Win, and they have some pretty weird regulations regarding the use of wet suits. It's at a lake and because of the obsession over invasive mussels, they are requiring that we show up a day before and have all suit dipped into a chlorine pool. The suit then have to stay in the event's possession until the start. This seems like quite an effort and I'd rather just not use a suit, but I'm concerned about the water temp. 1500 yard swim. Thanks.

Steve B.

If it was an open water race/event I would use a wet suit. My SF bay swim was a just for fun thing. Other swimmers at the club they swim out of swim in Speedo’s only and typically and note that I was instantly numb but was able to swim, I would not do a competition in that temp. The locals are acclimated somewhat. I understand the wet suit with aquatic mussel issue, same need to wash boats. Lot of work for fun though and makes me ask why bother ?. Note that looking at the Alcatraz Swim event website, everybody is in wet suits, for good reason.

ArgoMan 

Alcatraz. Wow. Do you ever worry about sharks in that area?

Steve B.

Oh, heck, I live on Long Island, don’t swim in SF, that was a few years ago. I do on occasion do a workout at the beach and yes, the idea of sharks bothers me and makes me nervous, is why I tend to pool swim. But my rec. center has a 50 meter outdoor pool, which is a great distance and pool. Hate having to move indoors to the 25 yd pool now that outdoor is closed.

ArgoMan 

I swim an outdoor 25 yard pool. It's nice, but I'm not so sure it's an actual 25 yards. I did an ocean swim last month and stuck to the surf. There's so many big sharks in my area near the surf!

SwimmerMike 

Coldest non wetsuit race was around 55 degrees for about 5-6 miles. Santa Cruz pier-to-pier back when they held it in October (as opposed to August which can be in the 60s)

Coldest workout: a new years swim of about 50 degrees

for a triathlon, you are going to lose at least a minute, probably more, with no wetsuit. You’ll also most likely be hypothermic which will greatly impare the rest of your day. I will always use a wetsuit if it’s wetsuit legal, unless it a short sprint then I’ll go no wetsuit for a faster transition