Which of these do you prefer?

[ABrandNewWorld]

Originally Posted by divisionbyzero0

Obviously the first. Human body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in air. Water under 80f/27c is too cold for me. 105f is like hot tub. I once swam in low 70s water with high 70s air and almost forgot how to swim after 10-15 minutes!!!

Do that quite often at Laguna Beach in late summer. With a high sun angle in the afternoon, it's not bad although its not as nice as swimming during a 90-100 F heat wave. The problem with our L.A. microclimates is the coolest summer weather is right on the beaches where you want the heat to be. Our waters temperatures also max out in the low 70s during a good summer so you got to wait for the air to warm up for a good swim.

[The East Frisian]

Option one, sounds like a comfortable hot tub on a rainy mild winters day.

[Aussie87]

I was tempted to say the water because it would be nice going from the heat into it, but only for about a minute. I seriously think I would be struggling to do anything after half an hour of it. I once went for a 15-20 minute swim in 13C water. It felt OK after a little while but when I got out I realised how cold I was with every step aching.

First option wins