How Do Open Water Swimmers Define Cold?
In a global poll, 769 open water swimmers from dozens of countries were asked “At what temperature do you think the water gets cold?” The answers are below:
Under 5ºC (41ºF) – 0%
Under 10ºC (50ºF) – 7%
Under 12.5°F (54.5°F) – 14%
Under 15°F (59°C) – 20%
Under 17.5°F (63.5°F) – 24%
Under 20°F (68°C) – 15%
Under 22.5°F (72.5°C) – 17%
Photo shows Simon Tobin after a cold-water professional marathon swim.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
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.
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