Sometimes I go into water around 2°C in a 7mm wetsuit, and when water seeps in it sends a jolt through my body. In summer I can stay in the water pretty much indefinitely (It's anywhere from 10 to 15°C, but in late winter it's usually limited to 45-60 minutes tops. 30 minutes is roughly when my hands and feet stop working.
I don't know how people in norther climates swim in even colder water with no suit.
I remember reading as a child about a man from China who bathed himself daily, even through winter, in cold water from a nearby stream. He'd carry a few buckets to his washing area indoors, sit in it, and clean himself. He thought it was wasteful to heat the water in winter, but it was well below 0°C.
I don't know how people in norther climates swim in even colder water with no suit.
I remember reading as a child about a man from China who bathed himself daily, even through winter, in cold water from a nearby stream. He'd carry a few buckets to his washing area indoors, sit in it, and clean himself. He thought it was wasteful to heat the water in winter, but it was well below 0°C.
I'm a soft, weak, comfortable person.