Ocean swimming

On Jun 19, 1:25 pm, "Micheal Artindale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I have always swam in fresh water - lakes, rivers, pools.

I want to do short distance (1km ish) swimming in a cove locally that is on
the ocean.

I know the water wont warm up enough that I can swim without a wetsuit.

I have one that I use for windsurfing, would that be good enough or would it
be simular to wearing jeans to do lengths?

One way you could figure this out would be to try it.

"Micheal Artindale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:g2Pdi.38565$vT6.3593@edtnps90...

Quoted message said:

I have always swam in fresh water - lakes, rivers, pools.

I want to do short distance (1km ish) swimming in a cove locally that is
on the ocean.

I know the water wont warm up enough that I can swim without a wetsuit.

I have one that I use for windsurfing, would that be good enough or would
it be simular to wearing jeans to do lengths?

Thanks,

Micheal

With wetsuits you won't get too much drag so long as it fits fairly closely,
but it will make you more buoyant and you will feel as if your head is too
low in the water. Keep your hands and feet bare though, or you just won't
make progress, and will lose the feel of the water.
Swimming without a wetsuit would be preferable , and is quite comfortable
for most folk down to about 15c, below which you need to carry some body fat
and acclimatise a bit. But 1k is not far and you should be OK. Try it
without for a short while close to shore and see if you can do it.

"Micheal Artindale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:g2Pdi.38565$vT6.3593@edtnps90...

Quoted message said:

I have always swam in fresh water - lakes, rivers, pools.

I want to do short distance (1km ish) swimming in a cove locally that
is on the ocean.

I know the water wont warm up enough that I can swim without a
wetsuit.

I have one that I use for windsurfing, would that be good enough or
would it be simular to wearing jeans to do lengths?

Thanks,

Micheal

It's the ability to freely move your arms above your head that'll be the
deal maker or breaker. You should be able to put the wetsuit on while
on dry land and go through the motions of swimming a few strokes and
have a pretty good idea whether or not it will work. I don't think the
legs will be nearly as much of an issue.

As to the water temperature, if you go to rec.sport.triathlon and tell
them what the expected water temperature is, as well as the location
itself, you'll find a lot of folks with a lot of open water swimming
experience who'll tell you whether or not a wet suit is necessary or
optional (or even a bad idea).

-S-

"Micheal Artindale" <[email hidden]> a écrit dans le message
de news: g2Pdi.38565$vT6.3593@edtnps90...

Quoted message said:

I have always swam in fresh water - lakes, rivers, pools.

I want to do short distance (1km ish) swimming in a cove locally that is
on the ocean.

I know the water wont warm up enough that I can swim without a wetsuit.

I have one that I use for windsurfing, would that be good enough or would
it be simular to wearing jeans to do lengths?

Just go and try.

You know, it is only a 20 minute swim (even at your pace).

Generally speaking, there is no problem in swimming with a windsurfing suit.
It would be just easier and faster with a real triathlon suit, but if you
want to swim leisurely, the windsurfing suit will be OK. If things run bad
(suit not properly fitted, chaffing), then just go back to the shore.

And if you really continue to do that seriously, wanting to go fast or
swimming frequently, then buy a triathlon suit (but make sure you try it
before).

-- Olivier