Warm enough to swim in sea around Devon area without wetsuit?

An Exception · 5 Sep 2012 at 21:47

Thinking of doing a few 'different' seascapes tomorrow, and some will require me to swim in shallow'ish water. I don't have a wetsuit but I will be using some flippers to get around easier.

It's supposed to be around 20c tomorrow, just wondering if this is warm enough not to have to worry about hypothermia?

PistolPete · 5 Sep 2012 at 21:54

Surface temps this time of year are about 16c so looking at my table you are looking at about 30mins before you start losing dexterity.

It might feel be warm-ish outside, but limit yourself to 20-25mins, get out and get warm - jogging bottoms and a hoody (plus a hat if you can) would be ideal and warm drink / soup in flask.

An Exception · 5 Sep 2012 at 21:59

Thanks PistolPete. How long would you leave it before getting back in?
I was thinking maybe doing 20-25min in water, then maybe 30-45mins warming up?

PistolPete · 5 Sep 2012 at 22:03

You should be OK with that but see how you feel - just don't push yourself too hard and stay hydrated.

An Exception · 5 Sep 2012 at 22:11

Thanks

Tachyon · 5 Sep 2012 at 22:43

I'd imagine you'd be chilly if you aren't moving too much. Have fun though, I'd love an underwater housing and to be in the sea all the time. I know that's not what your doing but just saying.

An Exception · 6 Sep 2012 at 14:03

Decided not to swim in the sea. Just ordered a wet suite jumper and pair of shorts just to be on the safe side.

Phal · 6 Sep 2012 at 15:33

a shorty woulda been fine I guess if you wanted to be careful

PistolPete · 6 Sep 2012 at 16:18

I used to dive in a 5mm shorty at this time of year

An Exception · 6 Sep 2012 at 16:27

^^^
Ever see any sharks?

PistolPete · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:04

Only 1 - a white tipped shark in Costa Rica.... the day I qualified!
Nothing to exotic in the UK, unless you count seals as exotic.

D.P. · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:16

sharks would be the last thing I would worry about, having seen people swept out to sea by rip tides and crushed by rogue waves. If there are sharks you could get some great unique photos.

An Exception · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:39

Thanks DP, just had a quick read on how to escape from rip currents. Might come in handy, but hopefully not.

Phal · 6 Sep 2012 at 18:52

Tbh if you have fins/flippers on and you're a decent swimmer then I doubt you'd have a problem.

I doubt you'll be going out in **** weather so that rules out giant waves

If in doubt you can always wear a buoyancy aid. They wont restrict your movement too badly and they also keep you warm but more importantly, just make sure you either have someone there with you on the beach or something or at the very least let people know when you should be back