Safe temperature for swimming?

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John2500

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Jul 8, 2018
14
Fayetteville, NC
Where is the threshold between an "invigorating" swim and a danger to your health as it relates to swimming in your pool?

I'm speaking from the perspective of wearing a bathing suit (no special equipment), jumping in my backyard in-ground pool, and swimming around for 15 or 20 minutes. Then exiting the pool to go inside for a shower, meal, rest, etc. I'm not talking about survival situations, emergencies, open water, etc.

I'm a first time pool owner and I'm keeping my pool open for the season. I swam last weekend a couple days... the water temperature was about 66 degrees. I jumped (not dove) into the pool and found it relatively simulating but not uncomfortable.

I've read various things online indicating that there are English and Russian folks swimming in some frigid waters much colder than 66, but I've also read about losing control of your breathing if you fall into water in the 50's. It seems to depend upon what websites you search -- some cater to safety and seem to be talking about folks falling from boats while others are written by some hardcore cold water swimmers. I've dipped into some cold plunge tanks at spas before, just for a minute or so, and that didn't seem to present a problem, although I don't know what the temperatures really were.

I'm curious to hear about those who may use their pools in the winter. Thanks for any thoughts or experience you can share!
 
Around here ... about 80 degrees :D

I think it also depends on what you are doing. If you are just standing there, your body will lose heat much more quickly that if you are vigorously skimming laps.
 
Not sure and I’m not the right person to find out [emoji23] I know a family who swim in the ocean pools in Sydney each and every morning without fail. Water temps in winter are around 16*c so around 60*f. They’re all healthy as can be and all live well into their 90s... and yes, still swim everyday at that age.
 
Since you plan on going back inside after your swim where you will be able to warm up and maintain your core temperature I think any water temp you can tolerate is safe.

Around here, every year they have "Polar Plunges" generally on January 1st for fundraisers where people go swimming in the ocean. Most don't stay in very long at all, but the ocean water is usually around 40 degrees. Last year when I was training for a canoe race my partner and I fell into the 36 degree water with an air temp of 34 degrees or so. We had been paddling for about an hour so we were plenty warm, but the shock of water certainly took our breath away. We finished paddling for another hour in our wet clothes. Was it fun? No. Would we recommend it? No. Could you get hypothermia? Probably... One more anecdote. Same friend went swimming in a pond after an extended power outage so he could bathe. While I don't know the exact water temp I am sure it wasn't higher than 50 degrees and he said he was fine. Maybe try and challenge yourself to see how cold you can tolerate?
 
When our pool was installed in early 2004, I would start swimming with the water temp in the mid 60s. As the years have gone by my tolerance for cold water has lessoned. Now, If it’s hot and sunny enough outside, I’ll get in with the water in the mid to upper 70s. 60s is way too cold for me now.
 
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