Don't ask members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club how warm it has to be to swim. These winter swimmers plunge into the Atlantic Ocean every Sunday from November until April and revel in the chill.
Ultimately, swimming temperature is a matter of preference — some people can tolerate much colder temperatures than others. People even acclimatize themselves to swim in the Arctic for short distances.
Video of the Day
Tip
Generally, water cooler than 60 degrees Fahrenheit poses danger to swimmers who go for longer than two hours.
Good Water Temperature for Swimming
Swimming expends lots of energy, and if the water temperature isn't within a certain range, it won't allow your body to function properly, possibly leading to some serious problems.
Your age, weight and what type of swimming you're planning on doing — such as leisurely laps or vigorous racing — determine the temperature considered safe for you.
- For lap swimming or racing, the temperature should rage from 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For children and older adults, higher temperatures ranging from 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended.
- Since babies are smaller, they have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, which means the water should be 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For people who have obesity, the water should be between 80 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For those who are pregnant, the water should be between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warning
Of course, this guide to safe water temperature for swimming assumes you're healthy; if you have any health conditions, check with your doctor to determine the right temperatures for you (or if you should be swimming at all).
Danger of Cold Water
Cold water zaps your body heat 25 times quicker than cold air. Add to that the physically exhausting nature of swimming, and you're losing body heat at a rapid pace. What pool temperature is too cold? Extremely cold water — 50 degrees or below — can lead to cold shock.
This occurs when the body is overwhelmed by extreme cold, and it can lead to a heart attack or unconsciousness, which can lead to drowning. Your body responds to a sudden plunge into cold water by making you involuntarily gasp, and if you're under water this can cause you to drown before you get to the surface.
Another concern is hypothermia. While it takes longer than cold shock to set in, it can be just as serious. Exposure to cold water for long periods of time lower your core body temperature. After two hours in 60-degree Fahrenheit water, your risk of unconsciousness and death by drowning increases to 50 percent.
The lower your body temperature gets, the less your body can function. Once your core temperature reaches 93 degrees, you'll be unable to use your arms and legs, and your mental function begins to deteriorate. At 80 degrees, you can become unconscious and drown.
Tip
You can tolerate cold-water swimming for more time when wearing a wet suit, neoprene cap, gloves and booties. For example, USA Triathlon permits competitors to wear wet suits in water colder than 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dangers of Hot Water
On the flip side of hypothermia is hyperthermia. This happens when the water is too hot. Swimming for long periods of time in high temperatures doesn't allow the body to properly cool itself. When this occurs, side effects can include nausea, light headedness, dehydration or heat stroke.
So what water temperature is too hot for swimming? If you're planning on high-intensity swimming, cooler water under 82 degrees is needed.
Pool Water
US Masters Swim suggests specific temperatures for pool water. Younger children and older adults generally need warmer temperatures ranging from 84 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit, while a comfortable pool temperature for adults is 85 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're swimming for fitness, cooler temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended.
How to Stay Safe While Swimming
While you probably won't be taking a thermometer with you on your next trip to the pool, there are ways to stay safe while swimming. Enter the water slowly to test it instead of diving in. If you feel nauseous or lightheaded, take a break to cool off. And bring plenty of drinking water.
Off-season water temperatures can be dangerous, and even if you're on a boat and not planning on getting into the water, accidents can occur. Bring warm clothing with you to decrease the effects of cold shock or hypothermia in case of such accidental exposure.
Don't forget: Just because it's warm outside, doesn't mean the water is warm too.
Related Reading