Daughter freezing at swim practice!

Question
Hi - My eight-year-old daughter just joined our local swim team. Practices are early mornings (outdoors) and the temperature is rarely over 60 degrees. The pool is kept at about 78 degrees. She is turning blue from the cold, and sometimes cries. I am not pushing her; she really wants to be on the team, but the cold is too much! She wears a regular suit and cap. Would a different suit help? Is there anything we can feed her before practice that will help? She also has a hard time warming up afterwards, and will stay in the shower for half an hour. I hate to see her suffering like this. Any advice?

Answer
Amy,
78 degrees is on the cool side for most children swimming.  It is within the regulations for USA Swimming and competition pool temperatures, however I think that for an 8-year old that is cold.

I can remember swimming with my summer club outdoors in an unheated pool.  I am sure that the temperatures were below 80 as well.  It was very cold.  I remember that the younger children had a particularly difficult time.  I am not saying it's bad for your daughter, but it can be cold.

There is really nothing in terms of food or clothing to help out your daughter.  If she feels something helps, then I would say it wouldn't hurt.  Wetsuits are the only things that you can wear to warm up while in colder water.  These are not meant for competitive swimming or younger children.

I would say that you need to take her lead on this.  The temperature is something you have no control over.  If she wants to swim, let it be her choice.   I just don't think that she is going to get warmer for a swim cap or another suit.

I know that I really didn't give you any suggestions, but this is a difficult situation.  Outdoor summer swimming is tough.  I really think that you need to see if she wants to be swimming knowing that it's not going to get warmer.

Some things to think about might be having her do some good stretching and cardio before she gets in the pool.  So long as her heart rate is elevated, she will not feel the effects of the cold water as much.  She also needs to make sure she is moving at ALL TIMES.  If she stops moving, she will get colder.

Anyway, I do wish you the best of luck.  Tell your daughter to keep swimming as long as she has fun!
Eric