I have a very strong desire to start open water swimming. I’ve always loved swimming but hate swimming pools which are stressful, smelly and restrictive. Wherever and whenever I go I always seem to be too fast for the slow lane and nowhere near fast enough for the fast lane and the open sections are full of people getting in your way, toys being thrown around etc. I love swimming in the sea whenever we go on holiday (usually Med region, although it tends to be much warmer). I often watch folk in the water here in the UK and feel jealous, it looks so calming and freeing.
There is a reservoir very close (walking distance) of my home which is a popular spot for swimmers and several beaches within reasonable driving distance so I have options. I just don’t know where or how to get started. I should mention that I’m very overweight – never used to be but have put on a lot in the last few year and then accelerated during lockdown. I’ve just completed C25K though and am considering swimming as a companion exercise to jogging, plus I’ve always found being in the water to be a great relaxant so there’s a mindfulness aspect for me too.
So being in a swimsuit or wetsuit in public is obviously an issue for me and then that is a question in itself. In all locations I’ve watched some folk in swimsuits and some in wetsuits and am not sure if this is just personal preference. Wetsuits look so restrictive, they really don’t appeal at all and I love the feeling of water against skin (and the idea of being fat in a wetsuit feels worse than fat in a swimsuit for some reason even though I'd be more exposed in the latter) but, if I’m honest, I’m also a bit afraid of jellyfish which tend to hang out at the beaches I’ve mentioned. I do see loads of folk in swimsuits and bikinis though and jellyfish stings seem to be occasional rather than frequent although everyone seems to have a story about a friend of a friend. I’m also though, more inclined to swim in the sea than at the reservoir, despite this being more convenient. There’s something about the thought of mud underfoot rather than sand which makes me feel a bit icky.
I’ve also been looking at the mental and physical health benefits of cold water swimming. I’ve been to a few spas with ice cold water plunge pools and I find that quite addictive. It’s torture when you first get in but then I always feel utterly amazing and keep going back for more. So I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not really put off by cold water but again there is a question about wearing a wetsuit or just braving it in a swimsuit. I thought about a shorty wetsuit to kind of get the best of both worlds but DH says they are only really for summer use and has pointed out that this still won’t protect me from jellyfish. I should mention that I’m in Scotland so the water is fairly cold all year round and very cold in winter.
The final consideration is that I’d likely be doing this alone. DH is horrified by the idea and none of my friends are interested. I’m not sure if this is a good idea or not. There are obvious questions about what happens if I get into trouble in some way. I would however, only go out when others are around – never when the area is deserted.
I’d really like to hear from those who swim outdoors – any experiences or advice is welcome.