Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Below are the new water temperature rules for U.S. Masters Swimming, effective January 1st 2015:

302.2.2: Water Conditions
A: Water Temperature

(1) A swim shall not begin if the water temperature is less than 60°F (15.6°C), unless heat-retaining swimwear is required of all swimmers or a USMS-approved thermal plan is in place.

(2) A swim in which heat retaining swimwear is required of all swimmers shall not begin if the water temperature is less than 57°F (13.9°C) unless a USMS-approved thermal plan is in place.

(3) A swim shall not begin if the water temperature exceeds 85°F (29.45°C).

Anna Lea Matysek, Membership Director of U.S. Masters Swimming, explains the new rules, “Swims may be held in water that is below 57°F as long as the organizers have a plan in place to deal with a swimmer who might suffer from hypothermia during the swim.”

Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association