What's your "oh hell no" water temp?

[Susie]

Our first outdoor tri practice is tonight.  Last week, the lake was still in the high 50's, flirting with 60*.  It was warm and sunny today and part of yesterday, so it might be low 60s now.  That's about all we can realistically hope for.

I'm debating
a) whether I want to swim, or just bike/run
b) if I do, whether I want to borrow a wetsuit

I don't have a wetsuit, but a friend has an extra that might be more or less my size.  Last year at this time I swam in the same lake without a wetsuit, but I don't remember the actual temp. 

[finallykrisb]

My first OWS the water temp was 63 and KITH and I swam without wetsuits. It was freezing! I would borrow a wetsuit if you could.

[kams]

Wetsuit wetsuit WETTTTSUUUUIT! Low 60s is too effing cold.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Mid 50's would be my "maybe another time" temp. I can do colder than that, but why?

I'd do it - once you get moving it won't be so bad.

[trigal]

Generally, 70 is my threshold. I would probably be fine in lower temps without a wetsuit, but I almost always wear one in a wetsuit-legal race, so I may as well practice with it!

[joenali]

You don't need to practice when it's that cold. I think about 67-68 is about where I say no. You are such a good swimmer any way, you can get away with skipping!

[Susie]

May 30, 2013 15:31:38 GMT -5 trigal said:

Generally, 70 is my threshold. I would probably be fine in lower temps without a wetsuit, but I almost always wear one in a wetsuit-legal race, so I may as well practice with it!

That's pretty much my logic in reverse for trying without   I don't race in one, and since I'm 16 days out from my HIM, the water could be cold that day too!  I'm hoping just not quite THIS cold!

[Susie]

So I got stuck in traffic home from work and was running late for practice... so I just went in no wetsuit. No time to mess around. I don't know what the temp actually was, but I was ok! Not as bad as I thought.

[joenali]

May 30, 2013 20:57:51 GMT -5 Susie said:

So I got stuck in traffic home from work and was running late for practice... so I just went in no wetsuit. No time to mess around. I don't know what the temp actually was, but I was ok! Not as bad as I thought.

Good!!

[kams]

Tough as nails, Susie!

[shauni27]

I just got cold reading that you swam that without a wet suit. Brrrr! nice work though!

[hannahb]

I hate when the pool water is below 82 degrees so I'm not a very good judge. Water in the 60's is absolutely terrifying

[mrs.jacinthe]

Yay, good for you!!