Outside swimming anyone?

[HumphreyCobblers]

Does anyone do outside swimming? I have started having a daily dip. I am working up to actually swimming, at the moment I just slowly inch my way in up to my neck and then stay as long as possible. Then I tread water for a minute or so but I am trying to stop myself hyperventilating as soon as my feet leave the ground. It was 7 degrees today .

Can anyone tell I am not a natural cold water fiend? This is an attempt to improve my mental health/ decrease anxiety. It will also give me a bit of focus in lockdown as I don’t work and the kids are at school, and all the stuff I do normally has just stopped.

It does make you feel great afterwards.

I want to take this up. I’m planning to restart swimming and get my level up, graduate to a lido and then brave a lake nearby which offers it!

And also are we allowed to keep not at risk children off? Wouldn’t we all get fined and the EWO after us?

@ouchmyfeet I guess you don't agree then. Well nevermind us vulnerable staff.

@Perfect28

Not at all against SAHP it's just that we are in a pandemic, schools are not safe and the more children that are in the greater the risk to everyone. Schools are not open because they are safe, they are open because parents need to work and wouldn't accept another closure. If you can support learning from home in this time perhaps you should. But yes it's a total hijack and I'm sorry.

Schools are open because not being in education disadvantages so many. Particularly the already disadvantaged.

My children are grown but they’ve always swum outside too. It’s good for everyone and the transmission risk in the sea is probably quite low (but insufficient data to validate the hypothesis).

Will a wet suit help? Or does that defeat the object?

Glad it's helping you. Duly pissing off.

Lindy2 my friend told me to breathe out as I went in the water. It was a game changer, it just stopped that horrible shocked feeling that stops your breath. I have to really concentrate on breathing out though.

Are the lidos still open for swimming with lockdown? Does anybody know

It's not for me, but I understand the 'exhilaration' aspect of wild water swimming.
I do think it is sensible to join a group though - or at very last find 'a buddy'. It can be quite a risky thing to go out and do alone.

That was lazy - sorry. They are closed

Some are. (lidos). Someone said Hathersage and Arundel were.

A wet suit doesn’t defeat the object at all. They open up the joy of water to more people. I find them too restrictive and would rather just squeal getting in.

I do agree BackforGood, that is why I go in with my DH around (he works from home)

I saw a programme with Hugh F-W about cold water swimming for anxiety. I did google but couldn’t find any groups near me. I’m glad it’s helping you op.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p080nl3f

Thanks for the link, will definitely give that a look.

My aim is to get in every day during lockdown.

I swim outside all year round OP! In fact I swam tonight during sunset. It was stunning.
I've been doing it for about 4 years now but this autumn I can't believe how many people are in the water. It's fantastic. It seems to be a massive growing activity especially amongst women. Normally, by this time of the year there's only one or two of us but when I swam this evening there must have 20 people about. It really warmed my heart.
I swim in skins but I'm rather "well upholstered" it's all down to personal taste.
Welcome to the club!

@Didntgetmydiamondring have you looked at the Open Water Swimming site? They have links to lots of groups in there.

Also the Open Water Swimming magazine has loads of tips and safety info. Really recommend it.

@Anordinarymum

Are the lidos still open for swimming with lockdown? Does anybody know

Hathersage lido closed on the 4th.

Lidos are closed.
I swim in the sea, it's 12 degrees at the moment, I manage about 6 minutes with neoprene socks and gloves. I'm used to sea swimming and don't find the breathing difficult, but it's seriously cold so its time limited without a wetsuit.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/4039965-Sea-swimmers

There's a thread where a few of us chat about open water swimming, if you'd like to join.

I've been swimming at our local beach since mid summer. I'm trying to go three times per week. I hate wetsuits so I'll keep going as long as my natural wetsuit insulation allows. It's about 12 degrees in the water here (Irish sea) at the moment.

@Perfect28 lol why the fuck are you on this thread? 😂

OP, I’ve been wanting to try it but I am scared! I have heard of the benefits tho. I dunno where you live but in the lakes there seems to be lots of local groups.
Does a wet suit help a lot, does anyone know?

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit that sounds great!

I saw two women in a mountain lake last February, I thought they were mad 😁. There was actual ICE at the edges of the pond.

Now I just need to start actually swimming rather than standing

HelloThere19999. I was scared too. But I honestly feel that if can do it then anyone can. But start small, the first time I went in I simply dipped under and got straight back out. Apparently that is called being a teabagger according to an article I read .

August - yep
November - fuck no. I didn't even want to go out for a walk today because I was cold! & id be seriously worried about my heart if I did.

@Perfect28 perhaps every SAHP values their child's education and doesn't want to pay regular fines 🤦‍♀️

OP I'd agree with PP re finding a local Facebook group, there's one very close to me and loads wild swim in the local reservoir (I'm crap at swimming and hate cold water but can see the appeal)

I want to start outdoor swimming too. I live in a seaside town with lovely beaches but don't know where to start? Like do you just jump in? How do you warm up after?