With temperatures in the low teens outside it’s easy as lifelong swimmers to look forward to our scheduled swim in the local pool that’s most often 79°F to 81°F.
That pool we each head towards is an ideal place to get a great workout in all winter and we remain grateful for each beautiful facility we choose to frequent.
When the pool water temperature drops or varies between low to mid-70s for the better part of a month it’s difficult and uncomfortable for the many and I’d venture to say that the 80/20 rule is an effect here. 80% are affected in a significant way that makes it more of a challenge to warm up or stay warm, whereas 20% +/- enjoy the cooler temperatures and their body reacts more positive to the colder water.
There are many variables that make up an individual’s ability to tolerate cold water. Age, health, diet, sleep, stress levels, your history with cold water events/training over the years, the air temperature and all those atmospheric variables- they all contribute to your ability to tolerate the cold on any given day.
Having been a certified pool operator while managing multiple pools and having trained in pools and oceans, lakes and rivers of all temperatures, we in the aquatic world know that the ideal racing and training temperature for pool swimming competition is 78 to 80°F. It’s also governed by USA Swimming and FINA, the international governing body of swimming during pool competitions.
In open water events, specifically triathlon, wetsuits become legal when the water temperature is 76° or colder. 
The pool temperature range to keep 80% of a pool user population happy is between 80° to 82°F.
If the pool is at 80°F those training with swim clubs, high schools or masters groups will be happy but anyone doing lower intensity water aerobics or swimming lessons or just swimming slowly will say it’s too cold–and it is for what they’re doing. Adding a light neoprene vest or top with sleeves will keep that colder participant’s core warmer and may be helpful for that group.
If the pool is 82°F those swimming laps at an intense pace (most club, high school and masters teams) will find that it’s too hot. But the aerobics and swim lesson participants are much happier at that temp and would love to have it be between 82-85°F !
81°F is probably the ideal temperature to keep 90% of the people using the pool happy. This is based on decades of personal immersion and my discussions about pool temperature with thousands of swimmers from all ranges of pool activity use over decades.
There are also many variables that keep a pool’s water temperature consistent. Not only the pool’s heater and the filter pump and ability to maintain water flow but the ambient air temperature in the pool building, the air temperature if it’s an outside pool, the electrical set up of the building and it’s power grid and the effects on it by wind and power outages-all will affect the pool’s water temperature.
Now with the ideal range noted of 78-82°F, when a pool temperature drops into the 74° range consistently this past month, it is a shock to the system.
And as you’ve heard recently, many are not fans of cold water swimming-especially indoors- as much as many of us used to be!
BUT I must say that the 80/20 rule is in effect here as well and 80% of us are likely capable of adjusting to the cold water by regular immersions in it.
And the more I do that the easier it does get-but only when I make up my mind that I will adjust and I AM Fine!
Your body adjusts steadily to cold water with regular immersions in it. It’s very challenging the first several times, and the less body fat you have The longer the challenges remain with each event or session, but for many people adjusting to the cold can be done by multiple immersions, and I challenge all of us to embrace this chilly time of winter with an equally chilly water situation for now with whatever means is helpful to you.
That may mean for you to bring a wetsuit, or bring a Shorty, or bring a vest, bring an extra cap, bring a thermos full of hot or warm coffee or tea. And have that nice parka waiting for you when you’re done so your walk to the shower is warmer.
Your continued positivity, and our renewed sense of good humor about this will help each of us do what many are already succeeding in! I know it makes us that much more grateful for hot water showers and normal pool temps!
Thanks y’all, we can do this.
**Benefits and preparation for cold water swimming article here
** benefits of cold water swimming for recovery
Asheville Masters Swimming 