This summer I swam in the lakes of the south of Argentina. It's crazy because the weather is super warm, around 30°, but the water is near 13°. I didn't use a wetsuit. I experienced the sudden gasp for air as soon as I entered the water, but I stood on shalow waters and gave myself time to adapt before going for the swim. Then I swam for about 30 minutes, until my technique started to fail, and I knew it was time to get out. I did this 4 times during the holidays, always making sure to be safe. DO NOT swim in cold waters without informing yourself and taking all the safety measures. DO NOT dive from a pier or rock directly into deep waters. DO NOT push your body when you see that it's failing to maintain stroke technique. ALWAYS stay at no more than 100/200m from the coast (or the distance that you know you can handle with no effort). You don't want to be swimming more than it is confortable for you when you need to get out. Swimming in cold water is a wonderful and unique experience, but don't get overconfident because you are a good swimmer, make sure you know what you're getting into.

I started swimming in cold water during 2020 when Pools where closed. First winter using wetsuit, globes, boots , cap, etc. but then I adapted and 2021-2022 winter and now , I just used double swim cap but no wetsuit. Here in mar del plata , Argentina the seawater in winter reaches 8°C to 9°C and we swim around 40min 2 or 3 times a week. Always in group. I loved to see a lot of clips of barbarella in the video. She is a really incredible Chilean cold water swimmer that we admire.

From experience in really cold climates once you’ve acclimatised to the initial shock, swim with your head up for bit dipping your face in and out occasionally until you can fully submerge your face. It helps with the ice cream face. You’re right about the warm drink too, I’d only add having your warm clothes in the right order on the beach starting with something like a dry robe as your finger dexterity can go. Dry robes are great for keeping the wind chill off. For reference I’ve swum down to 2.5 deg without wetsuit but only for 50M or so. Around a 1000M if the water temp was up at 15/16c and always towing a bright orange buoy with my phone in it. Great advice as ever! Thanks.

Hi there :-) I was swimming regularly in Greece for most of the year and now I am in Norway where I am loving it but I AM FREEEEZIIIING my butt offff :-) I only managed to stay in the -4 water for a couple of minutes but I have no equipment whatsoever. I will be borrowing a 5mm surfing wetsuit from the local community center (BOA) so hopefully that will help. The first time, we made a mistake and we did not have anything warm on our feet and hands after we got out. I am telling you I haven't felt such acute pain ever again! I could not feel my toes and fingers for hours..! I hope I find some swimming partners to do this but nobody else is crazy enough do far :-p I loved your video. Very explanatory:-)

A major effect of cold that you *kind of* forgot to mention: the loss both major and minor motor control. Now, this is *somewhat* implied by "the shakes" and "claw hands", but not adequately. Here we are talking about whole-body un-coordination so serious that you cannot continue to swim adequately in any stroke: so serious that you can't get to the shore, can't climb up a rocky embankment, ladder, or into a boat, etc etc. Also important to stress how abruptly this lack of coordination sets in: in just minutes if not seconds you can go from swimming confidently and strongly to suddenly finding that you are mis-firing and thrashing your limbs around like a beginner. Which in turn can induce a sense of panic and abrupt spike in heart rate. Just saying.

Our community pool heater was out of service last November. The water temp was around 55f. My 85 yr old mother and I would wear 2mm neoprene jacket, gloves, and booties into the pool. We held onto edge to bicycle in the deep end. I breaststroked with head above water. The most we could stay was 10 minutes. We’d go warm up in jacuzzi (water was 90f) for 10 minutes doing arm strokes. And then we’d go back to pool. It got easier the 2nd time in cold pool. And we’d go back to jacuzzi for 10 minutes before the 3rd 10 minutes in cold pool. We did this 3/4 days a week for 6 weeks.

Thank you for this video as someone who is Not just a swimmer. As a aquatic sports athlete (wake boarding, wake surfing, knee boarding, and water skiing. Thank you

Not once did he mention how not to die in cold water or am I missing something?

Thanks dude I'm 50 swim naked in my pool currently at 15 degrees I been doing this for years I so appreciate the info yes I've had the shut down feeling no way I'm in 15 degrees I find it mentally challenging but exhilarating

Great video and I really appreciate learning about this topic. You included many facts and thorough analysis. A needed topic, so thank you.

I haven't done any of that and I plan to never be in water that cold. 😄

48 degree water. I made about 50 yards and turned around for fear of my face cracking

Very good. I do this a lot and my no1 advice is a one piece hooded vest under the wetsuit. Also be careful everybody

Whats the temperature you normally use to swim with and what was the coldest temperature in water you ever experienced? For me it's normal to swim with 20-26°C, the coldest was last week with around 15°C. After 20 minutes I've had enough but it was a good experience. Curious about your answers.

Thanks for the great class and explanations

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Wow! I’m learning also about the lenght of the arms!!! Man, u rock! I’m addicted to swimming, but I do it horribly!

Hi, I know you probably get this question alot, but why am I so easily tired when I swim freestyle? I'm pretty sure my breaths are okay, and I've heard that I move my legs and arms too quickly, but I dont know how to slow down while swimming freestyle. Any tips? Thanks

Hey Fares, is it a good idea to take a sip of wine before swimming in Cold water?? as it gives you warmth 🤔🤔

Good job.

Ps sometimes I feel so cold I actually feel hot what's that?

I want to do it but im very thin 33kg maybe less and 8 percent fat Want to do it for charity. Where i live has cold showers and im just done. Cant gain weight easily so trying to do that. Im sure ill be lucky enough to gain a few lbs