78 Swimming for Fitness
developed guidelines for use of passive thermal protection during training in cold water
environments. Note that Table 5-2 is limited to high energy swims at a set distance of 2
miles.Special Open Water Training Issues
It is easy to have chafing from the wet suit around the arms and also for the fins to
chafe. Get thin booties without soles for fin use and consider using some vaseline or
aquaphor ointment for other chafe points.If you swim regularly in cold water, your body will undergo some adaptive changes.
This will increase your tolerance to some extent. You will also begin to actually crave fatty
foods, an instinctual tendency of cold water swimmers to want extra body fat to protect
them! This is a natural adaptation, but this may be undesirable for your running and overall
fitness.Surf training is great for honing your aquatic skills and for developing confidence
in big water. For body-surfing, use a medium fin, like short surfing fins, that permits quick
acceleration but is small enough not to get caught in moving parts of the wave. Use velcro-
elastic “keepers” for your fins unless you are sponsored by a fin manufacturer!Keep your head down and always surf with an
arm extended up over your head.
Table 5-2. Distance, Temperature, and Protection Requirements
Swim
Water
Temperature (°F)
Protection
Swim of 2 miles
64° None
63 - 64° Hood Only
60 - 62° Wet-Suit Top/Hood
50 - 60° Full Wet Suit/Hood