Issues of gender and organs in cold water

Published: 13 January, 2011

• THANK you for including me in the photograph with the other two Christmas Day Hampstead Heath Ponds Lifebuoys race winners (A big dip in the temperature, December 30).

Regarding allegations that, I had intentionally “not fully swum the required distance”, I would ask for consideration to be made of effects of cold temperature on spatial awareness and the judgment of distance and position. 

A more serious issue for me concerns the mis-spelling of my nickname “Carroll” as “Carol” in your caption. 

Although I may show disorgan­isation around many aspects of my life, confusion over my gender identity is not one of them.

However, while awaiting the start of the Lifebuoys race, I began to feel the advantages of internal over external bodily organs, and wondered whether, due to physiological reactions to the cold, I would be eligible to take part in the ladies’ race. 

Character references regarding the above issue can be obtained from my parents, their chosen mohel, my optician and more recently my ex-girlfriend. 

Any further inquiries regarding the short-term behavioural or longer term physical effects of cold water immersion are best left to medical science. 

PAUL ASHLEY ‘CARROLL’ SINGER, N16