Cold water (ocean) swim tips?

[zia]

I am doing my first tri ocean swim on Saturday -- temps may be as low as the high 50s, (though they could be around 65)!

I have a full wetsuit I've worn countless times, and I'm going to stick my little neoprene cap underneath the tri cap. But I'm a little anxious, especially since I tend to run about 10 degrees colder than everyone around me. (E.g., everyone else is in short sleeves, I'm in long.) The swim is .93 miles, which usually takes me < 27 minutes.

I had a mishap where I was in 47 degree river water for a long time (at least half an hour), and barely survived that (hypothermia with weird effects). I'm wondering, a) if you're cold-prone like me, what your own threshold is and b) any tips on how to keep myself warmer? I've though of drinking warm tea right before, but don't want to try anything I haven't experienced previously. Sticking hot packs in my tri suit?! (Just kidding... sort of... )

I'm otherwise extremely comfortable going long distances (in freshwater, even choppy freshwater), will be swimming with a woman who matches my stroke exactly, and -- joy of a relay -- get to sit out the bike to warm up for the run.

Would love to hear any tips/encouragement!

[Caddy]

Try to stay covered up and warm for as long as possible, including warm shoes and a hat, before the swim. If you start swimming when you're cold, you're going to stay cold.

Make sure you have thermals and windbreakers for the bike and run portion. Heat packs might be a good idea if you're really worried - at least you will have them with you for peace of mind even if you don't end up using them.

My coldest swim was in the low 50s and I managed to stay warm the entire time - granted, it was only a swim where I was able to dry off afterwards.

[GLC1968]

Ear plugs. I have taken to wearing them for all races because they help me ignore all the other swimmers, but I started wearing them in cold water specifically. They do a great job of eliminating the dizziness that cold water in the ears often causes.

Other than that, I have no tips as I'm generally a fan of cold water. I purposely wear a sleeveless wetsuit and have been fine in water temps just below 50F.

[tangentgirl]

Get acclimated to the temperature early tomorrow. Splash around and be sure to put your face in the water. For some reason that makes it easier.

b) any tips on how to keep myself warmer?

Two things, one counter-intuitive, one gross-sounding, but 1) let a little water into your wetsuit beforehand. The wetsuits are designed to work with your body heat and trap warm water inside. 2)Pee after you start the swim. Sorry. Everyone else will do it. You will be swimming and you'll go through a warm patch and guess what? That's not a warm current that you just swam through. Do it early and you'll be plenty clean by the time you get out of the water.

You will likely warm up during the swim, and high 50s-low 60s are way warmer than 47.

Are there going to be waves or is it a protected area? If there are waves and you haven't gotten through them before, have someone show you how to dolphin-dive. It's easy and kind of fun, and will save you from anxiety when you are trying to get in. I know, nothing new on race day, but this might be an exception if there *are* waves to get through. This site has a good description of it, but you should try it as well: http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/open_wtr.html

Relax and have fun - good luck!

[HillSlugger]

Do you have neoprene booties? They help, too.

Have a great race!

[salsabike]

Tangent Girl, great article! Thanks.

[tangentgirl]

Zia, how'd it go?

Salsabike, glad you liked it.

[zia]

Thanks, everyone. I got lucky with the weather -- sunny, perfect day -- and the water temperature was in the low 60s. The best advice was about getting warm beforehand. I took a hot shower in the morning, put on warm clothes and hat, and kept bundled during setup.

I have "bio-warmed" the wetsuit previously, but they herded us right into water over our heads, and I didn't have the chance. (I am unable to pee while treading water... another thread!) I did have a little bit of a gasp reflex when my face went in, but honestly, after that, I barely thought about the temperature! There was so much else to distract me! Spotting, the salty taste of the water (which was extremely calm), the person grabbing my ankle. I had much more fun than I thought I would, and am considering a 2.4 mile ocean swim next summer (not part of a tri, just a swim).

It also really helped that I had my favorite swim buddy in my wave, and that I was on a relay, so I got an hour to warm up for my run while someone else biked for me.

(And our relay team placed second!!)

[colby]

Good to hear, congrats!

[Caddy]

Congrats! It's always good to have a swim partner.

[tangentgirl]

Grats! I'm glad you had fun!