The Effects Of Swimming Long In Very Cold Water
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. The raccoon eyes of open water swimmers are an example of an extreme goggle tan where the swimmer’s temple and skin around their eyes is of pronounced paleness relative to the rest of their face.
Normally, the relative paleness is due to sunshine because the area outside the eye area has been suntanned by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation by the sun.
But when some ice swimmers are in cold water for prolonged periods of time, there is an interesting phenomena: raccoon eyes appear temporarily.
Photos above show the renowned Henri Kaarma of Estonia after his 1 km Big Chill Swim in Windermere in 6.4ºC (43.5ºF) water.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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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