How Cold Is Too Cold?

[wboardguy]

What do you think is a reasonable lake temperature for water sports -- I boat in Northern Iowa and have never tried it before Memorial Day. I'm talking what is a reasonable temp., not a polar bear club temp. I just looked on the USGS site for the lake (Okoboji) and it says it 34.6 degrees -- I guess it going to be awhile. :(

[Skipper]

Dejavu! Similar thread popped up a few months ago. Somebody said that so long as the air temp and the water temp equal 100 f or more, then it is ok. I sure don't like water below 60 f, but that is just my opinion.

[JimN]

I don't know how the water temperature could possibly be that low.

[Cloaked]

What do you think is a reasonable lake temperature for water sports -- . :(Just shy of hypothermia.

[sebita]

Simple rule

Water Temp + Air Temp = 85 F or 30 C you are good to go...

Cheers
Seb

[ski/hunt]

I have no idea the temp on louden in Knoxville yesterday I'm sure not okoboji cold (been there lots as a kid very cool place Arnolds park ect..) but the water, with wet suit was take your breath away for a serious 45sec.'s. I've never been pulled by a MC much less my own so I couldn't wait!! I must say I can see how people can drown fast in frigid water cause you can't breathe!!

[Ole Miss Rebels]

my wife and i ride shorts down to 63 degrees F. below that and we go with o'neil boost dry suits. there is no limit to what we will ride in with a dry suit. the coldest we have ever ridden is 42 degrees water and 46 degrees air for a total of 88 degrees. it was no problem at all just a hassel keeping the water out of the boat so you stay dry once you are back in your sweat suits that you wear under your dry suits. i have an insullated/heated boat shed so we can ride year-round without fear of damaging anything from freezing. my boat has never been winterized (at least not since i took delivery of it).

[Age Fighter]

there are three different temp levels that make sense:
one for dry suits
one for wet suits
one for bathing suits
--you can be relatively comfortable with a dry suit at very low temps.

[broncotw]

Here in Texas I have always subscribed to the 100 Rule....

As mentioned above, by "Skipper" if the air and H2O temperatures added together equal 100F or more -- jump in and go.....

[Ole Miss Rebels]

Here in Texas I have always subscribed to the 100 Rule....

As mentioned above, by "Skipper" if the air and H2O temperatures added together equal 100F or more -- jump in and go.....

i could NEVER jump in 5O degree water and ride in 50 degree air without a drysuit.

[JimN]

Just shy of hypothermia.

Which way- above or below?

[CruisinGA]

Did 50 degree water on a 60 degree sunny day a few weeks ago here - been having a blast on the water before everyone else the last month here. Just bought my first wetsuit.

3/2 wetsuit.

If you can fit them in your bindings, neoprene socks make a big difference.

[Kingsley X-1]

Just shy of hypothermia.

Which way- above or below?

you can get hypothermia in 80 degree water. it just takes longer. any water that is cooling your body core temperature will in time give you hypothermia. at 80 it could take up to 24 hours, but you get the point.

[Plave]

You folks don't know how lucky you are!

We've been riding for a month already, when we started early March it was 37 degrees in the water. Highest peak of the summer it will only hit about 60.

To be honest you just get used to it, it's amazing what the human body can adjust to and tolerate, you're more adaptable than you think.

[Ubugme2]

Just wake boarded friday on lake Afton by Wichita KS friday and water was 43 and it was 66 with a 30 mph wind. brrr. 2nd year running on a march and april in the water traditioin in kansas.

[CantRepeat]

Anything with a water temp below 68 is to cold and that is to cold when the air temp is below 90!!! I do not need to suffer for a "good" time.

I want to warm, I want there to be bikinis, I want the drinks to be colder then I am!

[ahhudgins]

I will check our water temperature next weekend when I hit the water for the first time here in VA. Even if the air temp is 80 degrees, I'll be wearing a full wetsuit. I was covered in sweat and saw dust this past weekend working on the dock, when I tried to splash some water on my head and neck it took my breath away.

[YTW]

Taught a kid to ski two years ago. He came home from college to see family over the weekend and called me up to go skiing. With a water temp of 64 and air temp of 79, he went into the water with just swim trunks and lifejacket. Said when the wind hit him after coming up out of the water it was cold, but after he started cutting back and forth he forgot about it and had a good time skiing agian. Cool thing was he hadn't forgot how to ski, and actually dropped a ski and slalom skied a bit.

[JMann]

I'm with 92. I would take water temp at 65 and air at 80 but that's my limit. I don't have to get out of the water and bundle up. I want bikinis and cold drinks not sweats and coffee when I get out of the water.

[turbosdad]

Anything with a water temp below 68 is to cold and that is to cold when the air temp is below 90!!! I do not need to suffer for a "good" time.

I want to warm, I want there to be bikinis, I want the drinks to be colder then I am!


Amen, brother. I like the 150 degree rule for starters.:D