Windsurfers/Windfoilers Emergency and Swimmers going out Considerations in Cold Air & Cold Water - Practical Science Applied
I know, this is probably not the most sought after Topic while it is Summer in Southern Hemisphere, but still. Cold water can be encountered in many areas and it may be important for other Seasons coming.
Here we go:
It is Winter in Northern Hemisphere, We have a lot of snow on the ground in Seattle WA USA, a lot of People are Miserable so I decided to do a Scientific Experiment on Myself to Cheer You Up, Provide some "Food for Thoughts", and "Bring some Tropics" to frozen area ??
So I went for a Swim in Speedos in Lake Washington for 41 minutes on Friday January 12th 2021.
Here is the YouTube Video:
Windsurfers/Windfoilers Emergency & Swimmers going out in Cold Air & Cold Water - Practical Science

Now we need to see the control video. No hat, boots, gloves or swimming and see how long your last.
Did you My Friend watch Pirates of Caribbean ?
Where Captain Barbossa offers a deal: "Name your terms Mr. Turner" and "The Deal is Sealed".
Well, actually ...
5+ years ago I made such video. No hat/cap, no boots, no gloves.
Then I swum a double of that 0.8 mile (here) meaning 1.6 miles in 57 minutes.
Then I did 3 miles in about 2 hours, regularly for couple of months.
So here is the Video You Requested and Sealed the Conditions. And a "gold fish" has just granted your single wish specifically ![]()
"Older Solo Scuba Diver emphasizes importance of cardio workout for general health & fitness."
Now we need to see the control video. No hat, boots, gloves or swimming and see how long your last.
Did you My Friend watch Pirates of Caribbean ?
Where Captain Barbossa offers a deal: "Name your terms Mr. Turner" and "The Deal is Sealed".
Well, actually ...
5+ years ago I made such video. No hat/cap, no boots, no gloves.
Then I swum a double of that 0.8 mile (here) meaning 1.6 miles in 57 minutes.
Then I did 3 miles in about 2 hours, regularly for couple of months.
So here is the Video You Requested and Sealed the Conditions. And a "gold fish" has just granted your single wish specifically ![]()
"Older Solo Scuba Diver emphasizes importance of cardio workout for general health & fitness."
Good on Ya Mates Down Under !
looks a lot warmer![]()
looks a lot warmer![]()
Pool - Yes
Puget Sound - Not necessarily
Puget Sound Tributaries are fed by melting snow in the Spring & Summer and is actually colder than Open Pacific just outside of Straits of Juan De Fuca
Scuba Bottom Temperature Year around between 43F (~6C) and 55F (~13C) according to my Dive Computer Logs.
That rapid flow of nutrients feeds entire ecosystem so you get colors often better than in Tropics (e.g. better than Hawaii) and more diverse Marine Life here. Only issues: swift currents, colder temperatures, often low visibility, need to photograph with Video Lights & Strobes to get these colors. That is common between BC Canada & Washington State USA.
People do Windsurf & Windfoil both Puget Sound and greater Inland Salish Sea, Lake Washington is a nice body of fresh water where you do not have to worry about salt, sand, so much driftwood, tidal exchanges up to 14 feet (~4meters), heavy currents and limited bail out access when something goes wrong.
That is why I have such Great Memories Windsurfing Botany Bay 20+ years ago. Not to mention high quality winds around Sydney vs Convergence Zone here.