What temperature is safe for open water swimming?
We recommend that all open water swimming should take place in water at 11°C or above. At temperatures lower than this swimmers are at greater risk of experiencing cold water shock. F – 70°F (25°C – 21°C) This is the range where most recreational swimming occurs. While not as warm as Olympic pool water, it’s still comfortable for most swimmers. You might notice a slight chill when you first enter, but it’s not enough to cause discomfort.DEGREES PLUS: Warm On the plus side, some of you will be able to spend hours swimming without a wetsuit.The best water temperature for swimming for most swimmers is between 77-82°F (25-28°C). This range allows muscles to function efficiently without the risk of overheating or getting too cold, making it ideal for both training and competitive swimming.A fairly sustained activity is almost imperative if you don’t want to have a feeling of cold that spreads throughout your body. For swimming training, water at 26°C is appreciated, even for the chilly.
Why don’t open water swimmers wear wetsuits?
The first thing to consider is the weather and water temperature. If the air temperature is warm, then you probably don’t need a wetsuit—unless the water temperature is much colder than the air temperature. In this case, a wetsuit will help keep your body temperature regulated and prevent hypothermia from setting in. When the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees, wetsuits are strongly encouraged, and some races may require their use. Between 65 and 78 degrees, it’s typically the athlete’s choice of whether to wear a wetsuit.THE SCIENCE BEHIND WETSUIT THICKNESS Your body heats that water, and the neoprene helps retain the warmth. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water.Swimwear: Opt for a thin, form-fitting swimsuit or triathlon suit under your wetsuit. Avoid bulky clothing that could impede your movement or create discomfort. Anti-Chafing Cream: Apply anti-chafing cream to areas prone to friction, such as the neck, armpits, and inner thighs.A wetsuit should fit as tightly as you can comfortably get into. What you need to avoid are slack areas where water can pool, or loose seals around the ankles, wrists, and neck. If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”.
Is it okay to wear nothing under a wetsuit?
Yes, it is. Many people choose to wear nothing under their wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed to fit snugly against your body, and the fewer layers underneath, the better the insulating effect. For some, this is the most comfortable option, especially during short sessions or in warm conditions. For colder water temperatures, a wetsuit is often the most effective way to stay warm and safe. Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of warm water between your body and the suit, providing insulation and buoyancy.You don’t need a wetsuit for open water swimming. However, without one in the UK, you will quickly become uncomfortably cold. So, if you are the sort of wild swimmer who dips in the water for 10-15 minutes to help support your cardiovascular system, then investing in a swim wetsuit might be counterproductive.Additionally, the sleeves contribute to increased buoyancy, aiding in flotation and ensuring proper body position for efficient swimming strokes. On the other hand, sleeveless wetsuits provide greater freedom of movement in the arms, allowing for a more natural and unrestricted swim stroke.We recommend investing in a properly fitting wetsuit. Swimming with a wetsuit in open water is generally safer, especially in water around 18°C or lower, as it helps you retain warmth and improve your buoyancy. A swimming-specific wetsuit has the best flexibility, buoyancy, and warmth.
When to wear a wetsuit open water swimming?
We recommend investing in a properly fitting wetsuit. Swimming with a wetsuit in open water is generally safer, especially in water around 18°C or lower, as it helps you retain warmth and improve your buoyancy. A swimming-specific wetsuit has the best flexibility, buoyancy, and warmth. For water temperatures ranging from 60°F to 65°F (15. C to 18. C), many swimmers will wear a wetsuit to prevent their core body temperature from dropping too quickly. For those venturing into colder waters (50°F to 59°F or 10°C to 15°C), a thicker wetsuit is required for adequate protection.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men.A 3mm wetsuit is ideal for UK summer months (June–September) when water temperatures range between 14–18°C, offering warmth and flexibility for surfing and swimming.A 5mm neoprene thickness is ideal for water temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, offering warmth and a fair amount of flexibility for activities like surfing or diving. In warmer waters above 15°C, it may feel too warm, and a thinner wetsuit (3mm or 2mm) is a better choice.May 2025: We are concerned at the growing number of brands who are stating they are selling “open water swimming wetsuits” but these are not safe open water swimming wetsuits. A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men.
What are the disadvantages of a wetsuit?
What are the disadvantages of a wetsuit? The main disadvantage of wetsuits is that they can still be quite cold in colder water temperatures, as they allow water to enter and then warm up against the body. They also require more frequent replacement than drysuits, as the neoprene material can degrade over time. Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between you and your suit, your body then heats that water to help keep you warm. So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently.Snug, But Not Overly Tight The wetsuit should feel tight but not constricting. It should fit like a second skin, allowing minimal water to enter. A small amount of water inside the suit is normal, as your body warms it up and it helps maintain warmth.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.Please follow some of these simple guidelines to ensure that your wetsuit stays in the optimum condition: Rinse well in fresh water after every use. Minimise time left in direct sunlight and aim to dry in the shade. Dry inside out first and then dry outside.
Can you swim in 50 degree water with a wetsuit?
For water temperatures ranging from 60°F to 65°F (15. C to 18. C), many swimmers will wear a wetsuit to prevent their core body temperature from dropping too quickly. For those venturing into colder waters (50°F to 59°F or 10°C to 15°C), a thicker wetsuit is required for adequate protection. Cold water shock is the body’s natural physical reaction to sudden immersion in cold water. The response is immediate and can lead to drowning. A temperature below 15ºC is defined as cold water, certainly cooler than the temperatures most people would be used to in an indoor swimming pool but not freezing cold.To avoid cold shock it is important to acclimatise to the water temperature slowly – more about that later! The heat in your body can’t instantly disappear. Hypothermia comes on slowly over time.Water below 50°F (10°C) is extremely cold and can be dangerous without the right gear. Jumping in without protection can cause immediate shock and loss of breath control. If you plan to swim in such cold water, training and acclimation are critical.The body produces heat by exertion. Thus, if exercising in water, such as swimming or treading water, the human body will not get hypothermic unless the water temperature is less than 72° F (body exercising). In water temperatures above 72° F, the body can generate enough heat to keep the body warm.