When It Is Cold At Night
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. It was a pleasure to hear the discussion between Lewis Pugh and the Night Train Swimmers in San Francisco, California yesterday. Their topic after the annual 5 Coves of Death swim in Aquatic Park: cold water swimming.
While the Night Train Swimmers regularly train and swim in 9°C-12°C, Pugh has experienced water temperatures below -1°C.
“I think you need four things for cold water swimming,” discussed Pugh with Kim Chambers [shown above] and her Night Train teammates. “You need some fat, but also a decent amount of muscle. You also have to spend regular time in the cold and train in the cold. You have to have a fixed mindset, focused determination. Finally, you need heart. You need a reason to be in the cold. If not, you will get out when you start getting cold.”
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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