NYCkayaker Temperatures, water and air

[Richard Clifford]

NYCKayaker:
    The water temperatures now are solidly in the mid-50s Fahrenheit. 
58.6 deg. F. at the Battery (www.nycswim.org) or 55 deg. F. at Execution 
Rock on the Long Island Sound.  
http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/exrx_wq.html or 59 deg. F. about 3 miles 
off of Greenwich, CT.  http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/wlisgw_wq.html  And, 
all have dropped steadily over the last 2 weeks. 

    Personally, I did my last open-water swim of the season while up in 
Westport, CT. Well, probably the last one. (The Alcatraz swim in CA is 
in 52-53 deg. F. water temps. Ouch!) There were about 18-19 swimmers in 
the for between 15-40 minutes. I was the only one using a wet suit 
(sleeveless, farmer-john) and had no problem doing so! Some of them 
laughed later saying that while I put on a wet suit, many of them were 
wearing theirs (with body fat).
   
    Water temps for our swim were 57-58 degrees F.. I was in for 35 
minutes and not getting cold. But, when 2 swimmers for whom I have the 
greatest respect said that they were getting out, I said 'this is good 
enough for me.' I got out with them. There seemed to be a number of 
factors controlling the reaction of the individual swimmers. Body mass, 
experience with open-water & cold water swimming, length of time in the 
water; type of cap; taking a GU pack before or during the swim (100 
calories), etc.. Some just did not seem to be affected by the cold. One 
fellow was shivering after a 15 minute swim. Eventually, everyone did 
get out of the water.

    Kayakers: At this point with water temps in the 50s everyone who is 
still (or about to) kayak should have a plan for immersion, including a 
solid Plan-B, and all necessary and proper gear to avoid hypothermia. 
Plan for the accident that can happen, not for the one that you might 
prefer to happen. 

    So, from time to time one wonders/asks if it is "cold" and this 
answer appears. - Richard Clifford



*Here is the entire story on what constitutes cold weather. *

*"Cold" is a relative term.
Use the handy list below to overcome the confusion. *

 Degrees (Fahrenheit)

 * 65F   Hawaiians declare a two-blanket night
 * 60F   Californians put on sweaters (if they can find one)
 * 50F   Miami residents turn on the heat
 * 45F   Vermont residents go to outdoor concerts
 * 40F   You can see your breath
         Californians shiver uncontrollably
         Minnesotans go swimming
 * 35F   Italian cars don't start
 * 32F   Water freezes
 * 30F   You plan your vacation to Australia
 * 25F   Ohio water freezes
         Californians weep pitiably
         Minnesotans eat ice cream
         Canadians go swimming
 * 20F   Politicians begin to talk about the homeless
         New York City water freezes
         Miami residents plan vacation further South
 * 15F   French cars don't start
         Cat insists on sleeping in your bed with you
 * 10F   You need jumper cables to get the car going
 * 5F    American cars don't start
 * 0F    Alaskans put on T-shirts
 * -10   German cars don't start
         Eyes freeze shut when you blink
 * -15   You can cut your breath and use it to build an igloo
         Arkansans stick tongue on metal objects
         Miami residents cease to exist
 * -20   Cat insists on sleeping in pajamas with you
         Politicians actually do something about the homeless
         Minnesotans shovel snow off roof
         Japanese cars don't start
 * -25   Too cold to think
         You need jumper cables to get the driver going
 * -30   You plan a two week hot bath
         Swedish cars don't start
 * -40   Californians disappear
         Minnesotans button top button
         Canadians put on sweaters
         Your car helps you plan your trip South
 * -50   Congressional hot air freezes
         Alaskans close the bathroom window
 * -80   Hell freezes over
         Polar bears move South
         Viking Fans order hot cocoa at the game
 * -90   Lawyers put their hands in their own pockets




*-- 

Richard C. Clifford, Esq.
Attorney at Law*
1890 Palmer Avenue, Suite 302
Larchmont, NY 10538

Tel: (914) 834-0100 -or- 0757
Cell: (917) 854-5824
Fax: (914) 834-0888

RichardClifford at earthlink.net 
RichardClifford at NYSBar.com


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