Although there is occasionally peer pressure among hardened open water swimmers to swim further, swim in increasingly colder bodies of water, and swim in turbulent seas, it is best to keep your own counsel and know your limits.
There is no need to swim in situations where you are uncomfortable or unsure of yourself. There is simply too much inherent risk in the open water when extreme temperatures or conditions exist. Everyone is different.
For some, ice swimming is within their range of abilities. For others, heavy surf is not an issue. But every situation is not for everyone. Notice the male swimmer in the green swim cap in the photo at the Newport Pier-2-Pier Swim above.
So it is with utmost respect when we see swimmers who face the elements and then wisely turn their back on the opportunity to push themselves past their level of comfort. For tomorrow is another day. Mind over matter does not always take into account the physiological limitations when Man faces Nature.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.