Here is a nice view of cold water swimming from a cold water swimmer. Reprinted with permission of author. Chuck Sutherland Subject: cold water (?) To: skimmer_at_enter.net Chuck, I just looked on Paddlewise and did not find any discussion. If you know where then feel free to post my email w/permission. Thanks again, Richard *Richard C. Clifford, Esq. Attorney at Law* --------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:50:34 -0500 From: Richard Clifford <RichardClifford_at_earthlink.net> To: nyckayaker <nyckayaker_at_rockandwater.net> Subject: NYCkayaker Temperatures, water and air [ Double-click this line for list subscription options ] NYCKayaker: The water temperatures now are solidly in the mid-50s Fahrenheit. 58.6 deg. F. at the Battery (www.nycswim.org) or 55 deg. F. at Execution Rock on the Long Island Sound. http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/exrx_wq.html or 59 deg. F. about 3 miles off of Greenwich, CT. http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/wlisgw_wq.html And, all have dropped steadily over the last 2 weeks. Personally, I did my last open-water swim of the season while up in Westport, CT. Well, probably the last one. (The Alcatraz swim in CA is in 52-53 deg. F. water temps. Ouch!) There were about 18-19 swimmers in the for between 15-40 minutes. I was the only one using a wet suit (sleeveless, farmer-john) and had no problem doing so! Some of them laughed later saying that while I put on a wet suit, many of them were wearing theirs (with body fat). Water temps for our swim were 57-58 degrees F.. I was in for 35 minutes and not getting cold. But, when 2 swimmers for whom I have the greatest respect said that they were getting out, I said 'this is good enough for me.' I got out with them. There seemed to be a number of factors controlling the reaction of the individual swimmers. Body mass, experience with open-water & cold water swimming, length of time in the water; type of cap; taking a GU pack before or during the swim (100 calories), etc.. Some just did not seem to be affected by the cold. One fellow was shivering after a 15 minute swim. Eventually, everyone did get out of the water. Kayakers: At this point with water temps in the 50s everyone who is still (or about to) kayak should have a plan for immersion, including a solid Plan-B, and all necessary and proper gear to avoid hypothermia. Plan for the accident that can happen, not for the one that you might prefer to happen. So, from time to time one wonders/asks if it is "cold" and this answer appears. - Richard Clifford *Here is the entire story on what constitutes cold weather. * *"Cold" is a relative term. Use the handy list below to overcome the confusion. * Degrees (Fahrenheit) * 65F Hawaiians declare a two-blanket night * 60F Californians put on sweaters (if they can find one) * 50F Miami residents turn on the heat * 45F Vermont residents go to outdoor concerts * 40F You can see your breath Californians shiver uncontrollably Minnesotans go swimming * 35F Italian cars don't start * 32F Water freezes * 30F You plan your vacation to Australia * 25F Ohio water freezes Californians weep pitiably Minnesotans eat ice cream Canadians go swimming * 20F Politicians begin to talk about the homeless New York City water freezes Miami residents plan vacation further South * 15F French cars don't start Cat insists on sleeping in your bed with you * 10F You need jumper cables to get the car going * 5F American cars don't start * 0F Alaskans put on T-shirts * -10 German cars don't start Eyes freeze shut when you blink * -15 You can cut your breath and use it to build an igloo Arkansans stick tongue on metal objects Miami residents cease to exist * -20 Cat insists on sleeping in pajamas with you Politicians actually do something about the homeless Minnesotans shovel snow off roof Japanese cars don't start * -25 Too cold to think You need jumper cables to get the driver going * -30 You plan a two week hot bath Swedish cars don't start * -40 Californians disappear Minnesotans button top button Canadians put on sweaters Your car helps you plan your trip South * -50 Congressional hot air freezes Alaskans close the bathroom window * -80 Hell freezes over Polar bears move South Viking Fans order hot cocoa at the game * -90 Lawyers put their hands in their own pockets Richard C. Clifford, Esq. Attorney at Law* 1890 Palmer Avenue, Suite 302 Larchmont, NY 10538 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Nov 10 2007 - 16:29:11 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:27 PDT