‘Like being in a washing machine with 40 deg C water’: Open water swimmers brave challenging conditions

SINGAPORE – The last time Moesha Johnson was in the Republic for the Singapore leg of the Swimming World Cup in late 2024, she took a leisurely dip in the waters off Sentosa.

While she enjoyed her swim then, the hot weather highlighted a key element she needed to consider in preparation for the open water swimming competition at the ongoing World Aquatics Championships (WCH).

As part of a staging camp in Darwin ahead of the world meet, the Australian did training sessions in a Learn-to-Swim pool with water temperatures of 30 deg C to acclimatise.

That training proved pivotal as Johnson emerged victorious in the gruelling women’s 10km race on July 16, when the open water swimming events were held in punishing conditions after a one-day delay.

The 27-year-old clinched her first individual world title in 2hr 7min 51.30sec, finishing ahead of Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci (2:07:55.70) and Monaco’s Lisa Pou (2:07:57.50).

“For everyone in the women’s race, this was the most challenging conditions and preparations we’ve faced,” said the Paris Olympic silver medallist, who also has a world championships gold and bronze in the mixed 4x1,500m.

“It wasn’t just the hot water – we had two postponements and on top of that we had the hot water, currents and waves, so today we really put on a display for our sport and I hope people can really appreciate that.”

The brutal conditions, with water temperature reaching 30.4 deg C for the men’s event and 30.8 deg C for the women’s – just below the 31 deg C limit set by regulations – tested the limits of many of the swimmers, some of whom were unable to finish their race.

Many swimmers resorted to different methods to cope with the heat, with some even applying ice packs to their bodies before the start.

Even so, 11 out of the 81 men’s field did not finish (DNF), including Singapore’s Ritchie Oh, who was afflicted by dehydration, while five were over the time limit (OTL).

This was in stark contrast to the 2024 championships in Doha, where there was just one DNF and one OTL. In 2023 in Fukuoka, there were two DNFs.

In the women’s event, 14 of the 69 entrants failed to finish, with one swimmer over the time limit. In comparison, Doha saw three DNFs and one OTL, while Fukuoka had no DNFs and four OTLs.

Men’s champion Florian Wellbrock, who reclaimed the 10km crown he last won in 2023 and 2019, said: “It felt like being in a washing machine with 40 deg C water. So I’m thankful that I could win here.”

The Tokyo Olympic champion touched home in 1:59:55.50, edging out Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri (1:59:59.20) and Australia’s Kyle Lee (2:00:10.30).

Heat training had been crucial for the German too as he did cycling in 40 deg C conditions.

The delay due to concerns over water quality also partly contributed to the hot conditions.

The women’s event was initially scheduled to start in the morning of July 15, but was postponed to the next day after test revealed that Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria levels exceeded World Aquatics thresholds.

The men’s race was slated for 7.30am and the women’s event three hours later on July 16, but was rescheduled again to 1pm and 4pm respectively as test results were still unsatisfactory.

Reigning Olympic champion Kristof Rasovszky, who finished 13th, described it as one of the hardest races he had ever experienced.

The world-title holder said: “It was very tough with the conditions – we didn’t know in the morning when we wake up, that if it’s going to be a race or not in the morning.

“And then we had to wait for it till the later morning, if we’re going to race in the afternoon, so it’s not an easy thing and not very good for preparation but this is how it works in open water.

“The water is really warm, so it made it really tough and of course, it was a little wavy so it’s altogether a really challenging experience for everyone. But you can’t really say that was the problem because everyone had to swim in the same conditions.”

Singapore’s Oh was on his fifth lap when he was brought out of the water and attended to by on-site medical personnel.

A spokesperson from Singapore Aquatics said: “He experienced dehydration and is currently in stable condition.

“We’re grateful for the care he’s receiving and at this point, the priority is ensuring that he gets the rest he needs.

“We’re in close contact with his family and remain fully prepared to offer any support they may need during this time.”

His teammate Artyom Lukasevits finished as the top South-east Asian swimmer in the men’s event, placing 43rd in 2:11:41.40.

Singapore’s Chantal Liew finished 40th in 2:22:07.9 to be the top South-east Asian in the women’s field, while compatriot Kate Ona was 45th in 2:29:18.00.

Liew said: “That was a brutal race, it took everything I had and more. Overall, I’m proud of how I swam today.

“I was sitting in that second pack for most of it and to hang on for the first five rounds, I’m pretty happy with that. Last round was tough when everyone started moving but I left everything out there on the course.”