One adaptation needed for swimming in Open Water is to adjust to colder water. Pools are typically in the low 80s. OW temps – especially in northern climes – may range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. When I swam the 2006 Manhattan Island Marathon, temperatures dipped as low as 59 at the Battery and lower East River. While your initial exposure to colder water may bring a shock, most swimmers can learn to acclimate fairly easily. This thread from the TI Forum offers several valuable tips.

Topic: First Open water Splash of 07 (1 of 3), Read 19 times
Conf: Racing - Pool or Open Water
From: Kiwi Kiwi
Date: Sunday, May 13, 2007 05:26 PM

As a new half Iron is in a couple of weeks in a local lake, I took a few of my tri swimmers out into a small lake for their first dip outside the lines! Usually at this time it is 'dippable', however even with more cloudy days and lower temperatures I was the optimist. It 'looked good' as we approached the shoreline to see a dozen teenagers frollicking from the dock in the water, in just swim suits! "That's encouraging" I thought.

I placed my thermometer into the water and we proceeded. It was 58 degrees, a wee shock for some. They (and I sans wetsuit)lasted 20 minutes. Mostly the problem at that temperature is for some, the cold water getting inside the ear and affecting the vestibular apparatus resulting in dizzyness (wear silicone earplugs to prevent this as well as keeping you a bit warmer).

My arms, feet and face never did feel 'normal' so a good thing we do mindful swimming. At first the strokes were tense, short and definitely not relaxed. After 5 minutes I stopped the group and reminded them of the focus. As they got more used to the cold dark water the strokes lengthened and the heads dropped.

With a couple still not warm at all we headed back. Better to all be in safely!!
I am dubious about the half Iron to be held in a much bigger lake. I know there is a cut off at triathalons for a wetsuit (76 degrees) but is there a cutoff for colder water?

I have done Fina sanctioned 10km races at 55 degrees no wetsuit, however that was with diligent cold water conditioning and training. Even this was cold for me!!Looking forward to warmer temps and longer lake swims.

Anyone interested in a 10km (6.2mile) or a 26km (16.25) marathon swim?? The marathon can be done as a solo or as a team with 2, 3, or 4 swimmers, each swimming once and each doing equal distance. the swim is on Vancouver Island Canada, 10km in July, 26km in August. The lake is crystal clear, and will be 72 degrees for race day!!

From: Angus MacGowan
Date: Monday, May 14, 2007 05:50 AM

<<The cold water getting inside the ear and affecting the vestibular apparatus resulting in dizziness.>>

That's interesting to hear the cause of dizzyness, and the "cure". I experienced this a lot preparing for my channel swim last year, and had been led to believe it was more to do with blood being drawn into the body's core to warm vital organs, thus leaving less to support legs. It was always slightly amusing watching people come out of the water in Dover Harbour at this time of year after long swims. Ironically, very, very fit people were reduced to looking like the town drunkard as they wobbled out of the water.

58 degrees (F) is cold (about 14.5C), especially if you've not done cold water preparation (although, I expect that Canadians would be as skilled as anyone when it comes to this!). What I found striking was just how quickly the body adapted. In just a matter of weeks, water temps that were initially unbearable became quite comfortable.

From: Terry Laughlin
Date: Monday, May 14, 2007 07:52 AM

I'll be doing my first open-water/cold-water swimming very soon. We opened my home pool - outfitted with Fastlane - this weekend and the temp is 55. Also the local lakes will be at a similar temp shortly. I may wait one more week since my first OW race, next weekend, will be the USMS 5k championship May 19 in Fort Myers FL and I expect my challenge will be to adapt to water that's too warm - 82-83 - not the reverse.

In addition to the earplugs, and one or two silicone caps, I've found two things helpful to avoiding the gasp reflex and rushed strokes.

1. I start with 50m or so of head-up Breast, then gradually lower my face in and begin freestyle.
2. I focus intently on slow, controlled, deep breathing, particularly the exhale. That exercise in mindfulness keeps my mind off the water temp and a strong focus on the exhale somehow makes it more comfortable.

Even so, my initial dips at 55-56F are usually limited to 30 minutes. I'm peripherally "aware" of the cold for the first 5 minutes or so, then experience 15-20 minutes of feeling surprisingly warm, as blood flow intensifies to my extremities.

Then that feeling reverses and the cold gradually penetrates. When it becomes literally bone-chilling, I get out...then shiver for up to 90 minutes. A leisurely hot shower or bath helps end the shivering. A week or so later, with the water only moderately warmer, I can swim for up to 60 minutes and no shivering.

To read more discussions like this, please visit TI Discussion Forum.