how to tell the temperature for outdoor swimming

[@johnthierfelder2180]

Holy hell I that I was tough swimming in 60F, you're a real badass. Ill take this as motivation for my winter swims.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thnks John. Here we don't have much choice over water temperature, if we didn't get in when it was chilly we'd barely swim outdoors at all 🏊😀

[@bernardinelermite1133]

This was extremely interesting. I'm a cold water beginner swimmer (my first season, and see how far I can push towards winter) and I was wondering about that time limit. Good to know that you can fall in hypothermia despite thinking you are OK. The 10 minutes rule seems totally accurate to my recent experience of "staying too long because it is enjoyable" ! Last time I realized I had stayed too long (water at 12°C and stayed 20 minutes without feeling bad at all, but it took me several hours to recover my inner temperature !).Thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge and experience in a very natural way. I really enjoy watching your videos : no talking like crazy, no head-killing music, just you and the sounds of nature. 👍🏼

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you for hanging out and watching the videos, it's great hearing from people from all over the place. Hope the water temperature is dropping gently for you.

[@Franscampi]

Brilliant as always. I have a small aquarium thermometer that I tie onto my costume, I use it just for reference. Totally agree that it’s not a competition, get so fed up with people boasting how cold the sea was and how long they stayed in where I swim!! Just enjoy the experience I say!!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I'm totally with you on that. I look for interest once I've downloaded the data from my phone to my watch. There aren't many places I go that I could perch the probe until I got out and it still be wet, or the unit not end up submerged! 🏊😀

[@ValGayes]

Thanks Rachel, really interesting. It looked like a right faff, so I'm not sure I'll be bothering... Thanks also for sharing about the Mike Tipton webinar. I have just watched it and it's well worth the time. I seem to have acclimatised quickly to getting in without my breathing and heart rate being too affected, so what he said made me realise that I can't be complacent, and 'listening to my body' will not be enough. Excellent information, thanks for sharing 😃

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I know what you mean about not being complacent, it's certainly made me sit up and take notice! 🏊😄

[@deraedt80]

Thank you for: 1. the jumper (priorities and what not) and 2. the concise information with the 10 minute rule. Fab video.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for watching, I’m pleased you enjoyed it 🏊‍♀️😀

[@lovestruck-dl9kj]

Just gone and watched the Mike Tipton talk and I'm so pleased - been swimming for around 5 years now and never knew that about the lack of shivering. Thanks so much for signposting.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

The lack of shivering was a surprise to me to see it wasn't acclimatisation, rather desensitisation. Great webinar though! 🏊😀

[@racheltree7533]

Hi Rachel, Thanks so much for this very useful & important video, I do hope newbies doing their first winter season like me get to see this. Especially, the information from Professor Tipton about no more than 10 minutes. I shall share this far & wide.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your first winter of swimming. Just take it one swim at a time 🏊😄

[@andrewb7186]

Rachel, as always I thank you for making these videos. Some of them I've watched multiple times. Note, in this video you joked about not being exactly Bay Watch. Maybe but I love watching you and haven't watched that since it aired. Lol Today's topic of water temp has been on my mind. I swim in Lake Michigan by Chicago. Last week we couldn't get in because of tremendous flows of ice which was packed against the shore. Beyond the questionable "solid" ice, the water was completely filled with huge blocks all rubbing and bumping. It was beautiful but ridiculously treacherous so no swimming. The week before, I did swim and the water was filled with tiny ice particles and the temp was 32.1 F or 0.55 C. This year is my first ever and it has been quite exciting. As the temps have dropped so have my swim times. I'm now in the 5-10 min range. I was thinking I should stay longer but after watching you feel great just where I am. You have a wonderful way about you and I look forward to each video you put out.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Wowee Andrew! Not being able to access your swim spot for ice floes is another level of winter dipping. I think I'd be enjoying my drink and snack and marvelling at the creaky and crinkly sounds. Did if feel like swimming in a slushy drink when you did manage to get in? Thank you for joining me on the journey, it's great tohear abou t your local swimming conditions. I feel like we're all swimming together apart 🏊😃🏊😃

[@im_0893]

Thanks a million Rachel, I always enjoy your videos, all of them. You have a really natural way of giving us the important information. Thank you 😊☘️🇮🇪

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

You're welcome, I really like to hear what people think of the content 🏊😄

[@im_0893]

@@EverydayAthleteRach In one word... Excellent 👍 I'd be a novice here (open swimming) and I find your channel with the most natural videos in my language. Thank you,👍👍👍

[@markreynolds4226]

Rachael, I bought a small, 6", thermometer to use when fly fishing. It is housed in an aluminum tube so very resistant to being banged around. It has a tie off loop on one end so would be easy to connect to a float. Its more expensive than an aquarium thermometer but likely to be more durable. Thanks for the videos!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Great tip! Anything I use needs to be pretty robust! Thanks for watching! 🏊😀

[@jaynelawrence-winch5752]

Rach just get a kids bath thermometer that you can attache to you tow float that will give you a consistent reading as you swim. Temp around the Kyles of Bute is around 9 - 10° this December. Of course much lower in the in land lochs so we a keeping to sea swimming over the winter.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I also keep mostly to the sea to eek some more warmth from the water! My kids bath thermometer was late arriving so didn’t make the video 😆

[@marycharlebois6627]

WoW Rachel... this is interesting. We had a very cold summer here in the PNW region of 🇨🇦... I doubt the water temperature (lakes & rivers) got above 10 at all and I was staying in for upwards of 45-60 minutes. My last swims before the lake froze over in mid-November were in 2 degree water and yeah... that was chilly. I use a digital meat thermometer to check the water temperature. We are plant-based in our household so I might as well us the meat thermometer to check water temps since I don’t see myself sticking it in a Christmas turkey anytime soon... haha. The digital meat thermometer is not submersible, but it reads the air and the water temperature really quickly. Thanks for this video... as always... i learned a lot. Looking forward to next Tuesday already (Monday night here in 🇨🇦).

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for watching Mary, I tell you, I was amazed at his words, because I have certainly stayed in much longer. I would say the bigger events have safety teams watching over the swimmers, venues have a lifeguarding service, but at a local level swimming with someone else may provide some comfort, but not too much because both may suffer. One tip is to stay within your depth, the other would be to take a tow float along.

[@emmabagleyruns]

agree the mike tipton talk was good. my one takeaway was that i wont be bothering with a hot drink for afterwards as it does little more than comfort. And those references to tests with rectal thermometers was quite eye-watering

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I like the comfort of the warm drink afterwards, even though I know they do nothing to help 🏊‍♀️😀

[@patriciapowers3751]

The best thing I ever did was subscribe to your channel. I so look forward to Tuesdays.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Pat, I'm pleased you enjoyed this one. I had a bit of fun making it! Also found somewhere to not bother walking to get in on a falling tide! 🏊😀

[@amybarstow5638]

Thanks Rachel. Love your videos (and your jumper). Thanks for signposting to the Mike Tipton talk, you can view it on the H2O training FB page and I look forward to watching it.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I love the jumper too, You’ll be fascinated by Prof Mike’s talk. Grab a cuppa and enjoy.

[@swimmerwater]

Hello Rachel, Perfect timing for this video as this is my first winter of open swimming. Looking forward to reading up on or seeing Prof. Mike Tipton lecture. Love your hat......Thank you again! Best, Theresa

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It is one of my fav hats too. I linked the Mike Tipton webinar in the video description.

[@swimmerwater]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Thank you for the link. Sharing your video channel with some of the "L Street Brownies" an old club of year round swimmers in Boston, MA. US They have been very kind & understanding of my desire to swim during this pandemic.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

That’s great news, thank you

[@yvonnewright7856]

Another great video Rachel. Thanks.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks Yvonne, hope you’re Till getting an outdoor fix 🏊‍♀️😀

[@lenahughes6657]

Interesting video Rachel, I'm going to buy the aquarium temp gauge, just for fun. Thx for your cool, fun adventures

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Good luck with it, treat readings with a pinch of salt and you'll be on to a winner. Just don't stay in too long! 🏊🚶😃

[@karenguttridge]

I watched the Prof Mike Tipton webinar too and thought it was brilliant 😍 I learnt such a lot but my biggest takeaway was that I shouldn’t rely on how I feel when deciding how long to stay in the water. Who knew?! 😱 Thanks for another great video Rachel 👍

[@junewong5119]

same! Will pay much more attention to the time. Also reinforced that I should to wear whatever keeps me safe. Might startle wrestling with the wetsuit again after Christmas if the cold gets too bitey!

[@open_water2411]

Is that available anywhere?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks Kaz, the Prof Mike vid I've watched over and over. Fastinating guy! 🏊😄

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Do what keeps you safe 🏊😄

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

@MarkStewart there's a link in the description of this vide 🏊😄

[@westcoastphotos.ireland3038]

Great tips Rachael, totally agree it’s not a competition, also I’ve found that my fitness has actually suffered while cold water swimming, went to the pool the other day for a change and found I could only do 25% of the distance I normally do, I guess it’s best to mix it up , take care, regards from Ireland

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I had a similar experience, actually getting in for the purpose of swimming a distance was a bit of a shock to the system the other week, getting better now though. Keep on keeping on 🏊😃

[@fambafitness]

thank you

[@melindagreen7911]

Love the hoodie! Thanks for the link to Prof Tipton's talk - learned a lot! I hope he will do a follow-up on how to do it safely! I've been using a 2mm neoprene jacket (just had a new 3mm delivered yesterday), 7mm gloves, 5mm booties, and a surfers cap not sure of the thickness. I have plenty of bioprene below the waist so haven't felt the need for neoprene pants yet. :-p But it would be helpful to know from Prof Tipton if the neoprene kit affords us any additional minutes in the water, and if so, how many? A huge challenge is the dearth of wetsuit options for "fluffier" folks, especially women. And it seems that there are plenty of extended-size women who are drawn to this activity - and other water sports, which also suffer from the lack of kit that works for their size/shape. His talk showed that fat + fit people are well-suited for cold water swimming - having proper gear would really help! Keep up the great work!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Melinda, I'm pleased you enjoyed Prof Mike's webinar, it was a corker wasn't it! The neoprene will buy more time, but I don't know how much. Well fitting, it sould be virtually waterproof so it is adding more insulation to your skin. Keep on getting in, and take it one swim at a time 🏊😄

[@Andre.R]

Hi Rach, very interesting, 10mins is enough for me!! Off to watch Prof. Tipton! 🙏

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

You won’t regret watching that. I’ve now watched it several times. Enjoy 🏊‍♀️😀

[@dongdipperadventures6565]

My favourite video to date and thought at one point i was watching Pamela Anderson on a sea rescue 🤣👍 seeing the issues you had getting the temperature was good to see and showed some negative reasons not to get one, I also use my garmin BUT have just purchased a cute little duck thermometer (named Shivers) that will be making a appearance on Friday 😁👍 thanks again Rach and now off to find the Mike Tipton's documentary 🤙

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad you enjoyed it! I toyed with that bit being in slo mo but it made my voice sound really deep, and I thought that I might be pushing the bounds of gopro cinematographyt too far! I have also got a novelty thermomenter on order, it just didn't arrive in time for filming. Here is the recording of the Mike Tipton webinar, the link for which they were going to take down yesterday, but is still working just now: facebook.com/watch/live/?v=4012867235481829&ref=watch_permalink

[@hhelina]

in estonian cold water swimming community there's a lot of talk about the formula "water temp in degrees C=minutes you should stay in". i've been using it but now that it's under 5, i still want to stay in for five minutes (but then i always storm out)

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Helina, nice to hear form someone in Estonia! Regarding how long to stay in, you might find this interesting, here is the recording of the Mike Tipton webinar, the link for which they were going to take down yesterday, but is still working just now: facebook.com/watch/live/?v=4012867235481829&ref=watch_permalink

[@lanajayne86]

Fab video, I always wondered how accurate my fenix was so that’s pleasing to know. We are tracking it in excel and have definitely noticed a correlation in length of time in vs temp.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It is intereting to track on a personal level, I like to look back on it a year later and compare like for like on temps. What a geek I am! 🏊😀🤓

[@35JeanLuc]

Always very interesting. Thanks for your videos

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad you like them! 🏊😀

[@dugongpoo]

On a trip to Norway, as a student, we tried to see who could stand in a glacial meltwater stream/river the longest. So, bare footed we jumped into the just above ankle-deep water and within 2 secs we all jumped out, screaming. It was so unbearably painful.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Yikes! I bet you did. I'd have had a neoprene boot on for that kind of game! I have swum in alpine run off and that was brassic!

[@rachelparks6926]

Great video as always!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you Rachel. Hope you’re getting an outdoor fix of some kind 🏊‍♀️😀

[@jakubs.6767]

Serial chiller :). That's cool.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for noticing, it's one of my favourites! 🏊😀

[@Daveonarave]

Morning Rach I love seeing a mixture of the scientific and creative sides of the brain being used in equal... ...measures (groan!). I presume you had to get into your cossie and the water before you could tie those thermometers to that wood as its far into the water?

[@Daveonarave]

If answer to my question above is yes then I have 2 more questions: 1) did it not defeat the purpose as if it's to save you "having to dip your toes in" if you have put up to your knees in water before measuring to see if it's suitable for swimming? 2) with only 2 hands and no surface, was it a challenge to tie and assemble everything together? I know I'd have had an absolute nightmare! :D

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Yep attaching the probes was done in swimmers and booties, but couldn't hold the camera at the same time.

[@Daveonarave]

@@EverydayAthleteRachyou did well regardless!

[@gabriellerichardson1273]

Fabulous video again Thank you 🥳

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you're getting an outdoor fix now and again.

[@carlesgranadosserra3101]

Very interesting video. I've got the same digital thermometer. As you say I do know it's not so accurate but it's useful to know the general temperature. It's also useful to see how temperatures is changing along the days if u save those ºC in a excel or somewhere else. I'm doing this since I bought it. I'll find out if my Garmin 735 can measure water temperature too. Keep doing this vids. I like them so much!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you for watching my videos! The thermometers are great for getting an idea of the temperature, and so long as you use the same one in the same way, the results will be comparable from day to day, which is how I think of it when using my watch data. I don't think the 735 does, I found the info in the Garmin Connect app, when I click on the details icon for the session. 🏊😀

[@helenheggadon6324]

I add mine to my tow float and records lowest and highest temp. The other day I swam at salmons leaps drewsteignton, it was the first time it dropped below 10c with 9.9, it was so exciting! Although I did stay 20 mins but had gloves boots and a hat. Plus coffee and apple cake for after. I was fine after. But the lasange at fingle bridge may have helped. Nom nom

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hanging it off your towfloat is a great idea. I tend to use the one on my watch, but that would certainly work if I didn't. Enjoy the water, but don't stay in too long as it gets cooler 🏊😃

[@HollyDunnDesign]

I bought myself a pool thermometer to tie onto my tow float. Good in theory, as I can get the temperature further out in the lake where it’s colder. However, it’s 2 degrees off from what my watch and the official water reading say, so it’s good for a guide, but not super reliable.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I reckon it's reading from the surface which is always different to the deeper water that your watch will be going through, so that could be it. I never worry too much about the temp, I look at my watch recordings via my phone if it felt particlarly warmer or colder than I'd expected.

[@haydnwood6051]

great video Rach : ) just wondering if you or anyone in the comments could recoomend a bomb proof set of swimming ear plugs ? I have dodgy ear drums so would like a steer in the right direction as there is loads out there. thanks woody

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I made a video on earplugs for under a tenner and I now use Zoggs Aquaplugz.

[@haydnwood6051]

@@EverydayAthleteRach thanks for the recommendation will check them out now 👍

[@juliemccready9755]

Which watch do u use?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Julie I am currently using a Garmin Fenix 5s. I bought it second hand on eBay and it’s great!

[@curlyporter6027]

Which watch and app do you use please?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I use a Garmin Fenix 5S watch and the Garmin Connect app. I’ve heard Casio do one which reads temp for about £60 so could be with a looksee 🏊‍♀️😀

[@curlyporter6027]

@@EverydayAthleteRach I just bought a Garmin Forerunner 735XT but water got inside on this morning's swim!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

@@curlyporter6027 argh!! What? Return to Garmin?

[@curlyporter6027]

@@EverydayAthleteRach no, return to seller on eBay but he's saying that I've broken it and they are not waterproof! I did point out that his listing says it works as it should. Have to escalate it next week to see if I get my money back

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

If it is not as described put in an ebay resolution.

[@juliaaglionby4774]

A really helpful video Have you tried the Comark PDQ400 thermometer - I find it really useful - waterproof and responsive. Claims an accuracy on +/- 0.5C

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I haven’t, but that’s for the tip. I tend to just use my watch. I’m not competing, but I am casually interested as sometimes it feels warmer than the time before, but the tech says it isn’t. I find that really interesting 🏊‍♀️😀

[@jamie-leedavidson3043]

I always take a thermometer with me for after our swim but as you know it’s more for training reasons. If I did it before we wouldn’t get in !! 🙈 And it stops me from saying it must be minus a million degrees 🤣 I use both the coastguard chart (bramble net) and a digital Aquarium thermometer. That’s accurate within 0.5. My eyes can’t see enough to read an analog one right 🤣

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Good shout to take the temp afterwards!

[@puma7171]

Accuracy can be a misleading concept. +/- 1 degree could mean that the unit persistently shows one degree too much or too less. If you calibrate your unit, by measuring a temperature you know precisely, you could figure out a systematic error. If you then correct that error (it must be a systematic!) you may end up with a much more precise reading.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you. Great tip! I usually use the temp reading on my Garmin watch (just for personal interest) and take it as a ball bark figure on which to compare other swims. It's surprising how the same temp can feel quite different on a different day depending on tiredness, what I've eaten etc..

[@user-zj4gz9tr8s]

bloody tides gone out ... pmsl :))))) brilliant

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I know right! 🏊😄

[@open_water2411]

Rachel, I have one of these that I slip up the sleeve of my rashie and take out after I’ve finished to quickly check the temperature. Can be connected to a piece of kit via the key ring. It’s quite small but that’s a plus in this instance. www.amazon.co.uk/Unknown-Lumazip/dp/B007S3QRNG

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

That looks like a good ready reckoner. Thanks for the link 🏊‍♀️😀

[@richardanderson4796]

Another great video

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad you enjoyed it