Cold is a relative term. If you are a swimmer from Ireland or Sandycove Island, 16ºC water can make you start to overheat. If you are from Hong Kong, 16ºC is all the reason you need for you to grab your wetsuit.

Ned Denison, a Sandycove Island swimmer, is bringing the best of Ireland to the locals of Hong Kong during today’s Cold Half event.

Denison is completely wowing the locals with his speed with his signature bioprene in the 16ºC water. See here for a special video of the Irish star in the Hong Kong waters at the 2 km mark; view here for Denison at the 12 km mark.

“Most of the other swimmers doing well after 11 km [see here] including Simon Holiday [see video here], Olympian Hannah Wilson [see video here], and relay race leaders Fiona Chan and Singha Chua [see video here]. Benjamin Klonshak [of Germany] had to pull out after about 9 km from the cold as his drink and electrolytes got lost off of the support paddle boat part way through in big waves. One other swimmer pulled out as well due to cold and cramps. But Ned is still going strong,” explained race director Doug Woodring.

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