Most of us think of swimming as a summertime activity-
something to do when the sun is shining bright.
However, there are people who, believe it or not, swim when
it’s cold out. Take the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, for example. These
swimmers swim in the Atlantic Ocean from November through April! Talk about
chilly!
While some people may be able to tolerate cold water, it’s
probably not a good idea to swim in water that’s less than 60 degrees. And, if
you do, you should never swim for longer than two hours.
The Risks
So, you might be wondering what, exactly, would happen if
you did swim for more than two hours in cold water.
Well, you’d run a higher risk of unconsciousness and
drowning as a result.
Plus, you might find that you can’t swim as well. That cold
water moves blood away from the very muscles you need to swim, reducing
endurance and capability.
There’s also the risk of hypothermia and falling sick too.
So, it’s really best to avoid swimming in super cold water or to at least do so
for only short periods of time.
The Alternative
If you want to swim in the winter but you don’t want to deal
with these health risks, your best bet is to find an indoor pool. At the very
least, you could swim in a heated outdoor pool.
Either way, you should be able to enjoy longer, more
comfortable swimming times with fewer risks if you go one of these routes.
Ultimately, whether or not you swim in cold waters is up to
you. Just keep this advice in mind and do everything you can to reduce the
risks and stay safe.
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