Swimming in Syrup

Curious people filled a pool with goo to see what effect it would have on the act of swimming.

The swimmers didn’t go any faster in water than in the goo. Cussler says that’s because that while the goo generates more drag on your body, it also lets you generate more force with each push and kick.

Seems like it would still be a fun thing to try... would it be more painful to open your eyes under the surface?