If you think that’s cold……

Have you ever dipped your toe into the pool and shivered while declaring: “That water’s too cold!”? It could be you were already looking for an excuse not to swim that day. But the truth we mostly know is that once you are in and begin your routine, the water temperature is not that much of an issue.

Imagine now the feat just accomplished by the Brit Lewis Gordon Pugh, who on July 15th took a dip in the Arctic Ocean. He was making a point: that global warming is a real issue. He said:

"Just five or 10 years ago this swim would never have been possible - most people have no idea that you can find patches of open sea at the North Pole in summer.

"It's deeply regrettable that it's possible now because of the devastating effects of climate change."

Mr. Pugh’s accomplishment was reported today on the BBC World Service. Here’s the item the BBC published in advance of Pugh’s swim: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6282048.stm

To summarize and put this into my own personal perspective (please feel free to add your own), the water temperature was -2C. Mr. Pugh, clad only in his Speedo, goggles and swim cap, swam 1 kilometre (he IS Brit!) in just under 20 minutes. I’m doubtful we mere mortals could accomplish such a thing without injury, but apparently Pugh has an ability to raise his body temperature. Nevertheless, my teeth are still chattering.

I swam one kilometer (I’m American!) yesterday, but if anything the water was too warm. Given a choice, I think I’ll prefer it at more like +25 Celsius rather than -2C. The coldest water I have ever swum in was at the wonderful artesian spring pool at Balmorhea State Park out in West Texas. The CCC constructed pool is fed by San Solomon Springs, and is definitely cold water. One internet site states the water temperature as averaging 73 degrees year round, but I swear it must have been colder than that the last time I dived into that water. Then again, maybe I was just looking for an excuse not to swim that day.