Ironman athletes face warm day, cool water

It could be a chilly swim for Ironman athletes, but event coordinators believe water temperatures may simply be the same as last year.

Increased amounts of spring runoff have Ironman swim coordinator Tim Johnson checking the temperature of Lake Coeur d’Alene throughout the day even though he believes this week’s higher temperatures will help warm up the 2.4-mile course.

“I think people need to be smart and take precautions,” Johnson said, adding that there will be boats and 50 to 60 volunteers in kayaks to keep swimmers safe.

Johnson said last year’s water temperature was recorded between 63 and 64 degrees during the morning of the swim. The water was about 61 degrees Wednesday and Thursday morning at the course.

“The warmer the better, obviously, to a certain extent,” he said.

Johnson said many people will don swim caps during the event to preserve body heat that would otherwise escape through their heads. But all swimmers wear wet suits anyway, he said.

At 7 a.m. Thursday some swimmers could be heard hooting as they entered the chilly waters. One man left the water chastising himself for not having worn a swim cap, so he went to retrieve it.

Others were in awe of – and poked fun at – a guy wearing a sleeveless suit. “Brave soul with those bare sleeves,” one man said to him.

“That guy’s got a sleeveless suit on; he’s freezing,” a woman remarked from the water.

Johnson said the biggest concern for his staff of volunteers is fatigue, not the cold water.

People get tired and need to rest, he said.

“They can rest on a kayak or boat but can’t be propelled forward. No forward motion,” he said.

He said volunteers will be on the lookout for blue lips and shivering or incoherent athletes – signs of hypothermia.

Johnson said another concern is the warm weather expected for Sunday’s race, which also includes a 112-mile bike ride followed by a marathon.

While the water might be cold, some athletes may not be prepared for what the National Weather Service says could be a 91-degree day. Some athletes come from colder climates and expect the same in North Idaho, not having acclimated themselves to summer temperatures here, Johnson said.

“We’ve got ice on hand and people with hoses to keep people cool. I advise people to eat a good breakfast and keep good nutrition and hydration before the swim,” Johnson said.

“That will help them throughout the day.”