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Original poster

Cold water swimmers - anyone doing the polar bear/penguin challenge?

84 replies

PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 21/09/2022 09:32

Full details here polarbearchallenges.com/
I've just signed up as a penguin. Although I don't wear a wetsuit I couldn't swim without my boots and gloves. I'm hoping for gold standard, 250m twice a month and a total of 1000m every month.
Would be good to have some moral support!

OP posts:
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6
BezMills · 26/12/2022 20:39

There was a good turnout at my local beach, but we are still up the road at the outlaws.

TheNinthLock · 26/12/2022 18:25

Lovely Boxing Day swim today. Water a tropical 5.5 degrees (last weekend was 0 and we were ice dipping 😁)
Still in skins but with boots and gloves.

Managed 500m today bringing my total for the month to 1300m so I’ll drop down to Penguin Gold but that’s fine (Originally entered Silver but catapulted up to Antarctic following clocking up some a amazing distances in November)

Original poster
PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 23/12/2022 06:03

I got excited with my swim on Monday when I found the water was 4 degrees! Then realised that that was a rise of only 2 degrees. Shows how desperate I am. But still loving the swimming and looking forward to my Christmas eve dip.

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BezMills · 21/12/2022 17:09

Hello coldies!

I swam all winter in 20/21 in skins. Was down to 3 or 4 minutes at the lowest, just bibbling about near my exit slipway and in my depth. I skipped the Winter months this year, partly due to water quality also kind of wimped out when the water was cleaner. Sadly our beach gets a lot of pollution after heavy rain.

This winter I will go in on Sundays with a local group but might not do more until the water starts to warm up in April

Enjoy your cold water swimming!

Invisimamma · 18/12/2022 23:25

I still have 250m to do this month and everywhere here is frozen solid. Schools are off on Wed until January so even if it does thaw out I won't be able to swim. Can't believe I've failed so early in the challenge. I know there is joker card but it feels like cheating.

timetogetlost · 18/12/2022 22:39

No I am not! I have a limit, and it is way too cold now. I am committed but begrudgingly dipping once a week.

Original poster
PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 14/12/2022 14:32

Went swimming this morning and water was 2 degrees. Only just managed 100m. Disappointed as I'll have to drop back down to Gold level. But would be pretty stupid, and potentially dangerous, to try to stay in the water any longer. Just have to enjoy my short swims from now on.
The experience was still beautiful 😀and I came away feeling good.
Hope everyone else is still enjoying it!

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OneHundredOtters · 13/12/2022 11:23

Looks beautiful but cold! I've not been well and haven't been in. Now I'm a bit scared! Might just try to do one length and get out as a trial.

Original poster
PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 10/12/2022 13:57

@Billybagpuss beautiful photos!
@TheNinthLock it took me about 15 mins. But I think that is too long to be in the water now. Temperatures are dropping so I anticipate that my next swim will be about 5 mins. So 250m at best, maybe less.

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 10/12/2022 12:07

2.95 this morning and the lake was Partially frozen. Billypup didn’t understand why she could walk on the water it was very funny

Cold water swimmers - anyone doing the polar bear/penguin challenge?
Cold water swimmers - anyone doing the polar bear/penguin challenge?
Cold water swimmers - anyone doing the polar bear/penguin challenge?
OneHundredOtters · 10/12/2022 08:23

Ooh that cold!

I've had a lot on and had a cold this week so haven't been in and I'm getting a bit scared! If I'm feeling better I'll try and go tomorrow though!

TheNinthLock · 09/12/2022 23:42

TheNinthLock · 09/12/2022 22:39

I’d like to do 500m but it takes me 20 minutes (so slow) but worry that’s too long in the water in this temperature…

To add - no wetsuit.

TheNinthLock · 09/12/2022 22:39

I’d like to do 500m but it takes me 20 minutes (so slow) but worry that’s too long in the water in this temperature…

BogRollBOGOF · 09/12/2022 22:34

That's impressive!
I did about 500m this week in 5⁰C and a lot of neoprene 😂

TheNinthLock · 09/12/2022 21:54

How long did you swim for @PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle ?

Original poster
PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 09/12/2022 18:27

Water was 3.9 this morning 😱The coldest I swam in last year was 3.6 so I don't know how much longer I'll last. The boots and gloves are on now and I did manage 500m but the after drop was brutal!
I think it is time for shorter but more frequent swims

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timetogetlost · 01/12/2022 19:12

Hey, I didn't find time in London in the end. So I have been a week without swimming, a bit scared to get back in tomorrow, the temperatures have plummeted!

OneHundredOtters · 01/12/2022 18:17

I've gone up to Antarctic as well but I don't think I'll manage to keep going. I have been loving it though. I'm actually a bit concerned that I'm enjoying it too much and haven't really learnt my limits.

I am really pleased I found this thread and signed up though. I'm a total convert so thanks for posting about it OP.

@timetogetlost when is your London trip? Let us know how your swims go.

CaronPoivre · 30/11/2022 18:49

To doing the specific challenge and have been using a pool as we’ve been away but swimming outdoors for five days in a row, then four days in a row.

Back in sea today for very end of November dip. Lovely calm water.

TheNinthLock · 30/11/2022 15:20

I have also exceeded my target and moved from Silver to Antarctic. But I know I’ll slide down to silver again - an increase in working hours combined with a reduction in temperature will mean fewer chances to head to the lake and less time spent in the water.

Original poster
PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 30/11/2022 12:44

That's November over with now. How has everyone done in the first month?
I've managed to exceed my target and move from Gold to Antarctic. I'm chuffed with this but it's going to get harder as the temperature drops. The water was 7 degrees today. Time to get my boots and gloves out. I'm hoping to go for extreme penguin but I have a jacket ready in case the water gets too cold. Last winter was my first swimming outside and I definitely needed it on a few occasions.
Happy swimming everyone 😀

OP posts:
timetogetlost · 24/11/2022 23:21

Thanks that's brilliant. I wouldn't have known where to begin.

OneHundredOtters · 24/11/2022 16:37

I had a week out of the water as crazy busy at work but managed to get in again today. The temperature has dropped 1.5 degrees in a week and I definitely noticed that! I was a very bright shade of red all over when I got out.

@timetogetlost I don't know that much about south London swimming spots but I think Brockwell Lido is still open through the winter and I'm pretty sure it's unheated.

I can't recommend the Kenwood ladies pond enough though. It's my favourite place in London. It's a bit of a trek from where you are staying but I don't think it will take too long on the northern line and you can have a lovely walk around the heath or visit Highgate cemetery before/after.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond

BogRollBOGOF · 24/11/2022 13:27

I'd forgotten how floaty a bum in neoprene is 😂

I'm definitely struggling to go regularly enough to do the challenge but at least I can tick off 30 minutes at 9⁰C 😎
Very refreshing!

timetogetlost · 23/11/2022 20:29

Hi, I haven't signed up but in my head I am aiming for Gold Polar Bear. Will struggle through December though, as today was tough in the lake. 8.5° and I did 300m. I am visiting London soon, staying in Clapham, any recommendations of where I might be able to swim? Thanks