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Original poster

Do I need to prepare for sea swimming/dipping at Christmas?

34 replies

CantFindTheBeat · 08/12/2023 18:48

Hi all,

We are going away after Christmas to a place near Bude in Cornwall.

We are all late 40s-50s. I would like to give sea swimming/splashing a go.

Ideally, I personally would like to run in, splash about a bit then get out after 5 or 10 mins.

My husband would like to build up to going a few times, and do a fair bit of near-shore swimming.

Does anyone have advice on what we should wear (wet suit or cossie?) and or anything we should prepare or avoid?

OP posts:
Pedallleur · 08/12/2023 18:54

Given a couple of recent stories don't go in if the water is cold. Or you are ill. But everyone is different. The sea may be warmer than river water

DancesWithDucks · 08/12/2023 19:03

At its best, winterswimming is incredible. It's hard getting in but it's intensely refreshing and makes you feel alive. It can also help with several forms of pain. Weirdly it tends to help my skin stop being dry too, and it can seriously improve your immune system (my theory is the bugs are too scared of the cold and bugger off to someone else).

It can give you one hell of an endorphin hit too, and energise you!

Breath in through your nose, out through your mouth to get in, it helps with the cold.

At this time of year, go in just for a few minutes - if it's 10 degrees, 10 max, 6 degrees 6 mins max, 4 degrees 4 max.

But don't overdo it. It can be surprisingly easy when you get into it to stay in too long. Your blood vessels constrict and the blood moves slowly; when you come out it slowly gets moving again and then the cold goes to your core. It's okay to build up time once you've got some experience, but take it easy at first.

Bring a flask of hot water / coffee for after - it warms your core.

I love winterswimming now, so much, and it's had numerous benefits physically and mentally.

Give it a go!

Original poster
CantFindTheBeat · 08/12/2023 19:08

@Pedallleur

I haven't read any bad news stories - I should check.

@DancesWithDucks

Thank you. I really do fancy it. A flask is a great idea.

Do you think a wetsuit is needed?

OP posts:
DancesWithDucks · 08/12/2023 19:11

How brave are you feeling?

I've never used one but honestly I imagine they make it massively easier to adjust to the temperature. They give you buoyancy too.

Maybe try with a wetsuit then when you take it off at the end go in for just a quick dip and see how you like it.

CMOTDibbler · 08/12/2023 19:12

I love cold water swimming. But if you are not acclimatised to it (and that means immersion regularly starting in August and keeping going through) then all it is sensible to do, wetsuit or not) is run in, splash and run out.
The minute per degree has no basis is science and doesn't allow for all the heat you lose getting undressed and dressed. Cold water shock and hypothermia are very real- just this week on my outdoor swimming group's several experienced swimmers have been acutely ill

Original poster
CantFindTheBeat · 08/12/2023 19:14

I don't have a wetsuit,

I've seen ladies go in with just costumes (and Woolf hats?!) on?

That's what I had in my mind, as I only plan to swish about for a few minutes each day...

I'd have to buy a wetsuit if I was to need one.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 08/12/2023 19:15

I am doing a Boxing Day Dip for charity it involves running in up to your chest then running back out again immediately. Anything that involves staying in for 5 or 10 minutes should not be undertaken with no acclimatisation it can be very dangerous.

DancesWithDucks · 08/12/2023 19:15

No, it doesnt have any basis in science at all! It was just a rule of thumb of mine at the start.

Good point about the cold wind. Really important to take that into account.

Hellocatshome · 08/12/2023 19:16

The ladies who go in a cossie and wooly hat have been doing it all year. They didn't start in December!

Thisisthedawningoftheageofaquarius · 08/12/2023 19:19

I go every Sunday in the sea and find booties (decathlon) are a game changer as you don’t feel the cold as much. I also use a togs- wetsuit hybrid (looks like a long sleeve swimming togs) also from decathlon. Bring a hot water bottle and leave on your towel to warm you up after.
thousands if not hundreds of thousands do cold water swimming every week; it’s not a big deal that you need to prepare for

Habbibu · 08/12/2023 19:22

Most people we see in the sea in Porthtowan in July are wearing wetsuits, and I'm way too chicken to go in without one! That's body boarding so you're in for a while but the sea is pretty cold.

Kim066 · 08/12/2023 19:23

You need to acclimatise. A couple of years ago I swam in a local river on Xmas Day when the water was 0.5. I haven't swum in cold water for over a year and wouldn't contemplate it this year as my body isn't acclimatised. Don't underestimate the effect cold water has on the body. I suffered afterdrop once when I unknowingly stayed in too long and it was scary and unpleasant.

Original poster
CantFindTheBeat · 08/12/2023 19:25

Hellocatshome · 08/12/2023 19:16

The ladies who go in a cossie and wooly hat have been doing it all year. They didn't start in December!

Edited

That is a REALLY good point 🙈

OP posts:
mrstea301 · 08/12/2023 19:29

Cold water swimming is amazing!!

Just take your time, it's perfectly fine to just go in for a couple of minutes and then get out. It's good to get your shoulders under the water - that helps your body regulate your temperature, which is hard to do if you're half in/half out. Wear a warm hat! And even wrap your clothes round a hot water bottle for when you get out, and a flask of tea or coffee for after.

When you're in, if your hands curl up into claws, get out!

But you'll love it, it's the most relaxing / invigorating thing I've ever done - haven't been for a while and I'm really missing it!

TopicalNameChange · 08/12/2023 19:31

This is my second winter of swimming in just a swimsuit & neoprene boots (today I forgot my swimsuit so just went in in boots and a wooly hat. Fetching I was 😁). The time to start winter swimming is summer! You need to build up tolerance for it

Eurghkids · 08/12/2023 19:31

Absolutely do not recommend anything other than a little 30sec splash and out again for a newbie.

people who just decide to give winter swim/even dipping “a go” are at such risk, as others have said you have to acclimatise and even then experienced people get caught out, as i have even. It is not fun to lose all sense of control of your body, can’t think straight, walk, stay awake, the shaking is insane.

as someone said above, those ladies in skins and a hat have been going year round.

start in august, build up with twice weekly and then love your best life! Nothing like it!

BadSkiingMum · 08/12/2023 19:39

I am tempted to ask if you are insane, but will just observe that you are seriously underestimating how cold the water will feel in December! Even the seals don’t want a water birth…

I have swum in Cornwall since childhood and these days I always use a wetsuit. It is essential.

I body-boarded in April in a shortie wetsuit a few years ago and my legs/feet were physically hurting before the end of my swim. Every seaside resort has a surf shop renting them out, because everyone wants to use one! You need a full length wetsuit plus boots at least.

TopicalNameChange · 08/12/2023 19:40

I would say that once you start enjoying it, winter swimming (or dipping) without a wetsuit is amazing

Original poster
CantFindTheBeat · 08/12/2023 19:46

BadSkiingMum · 08/12/2023 19:39

I am tempted to ask if you are insane, but will just observe that you are seriously underestimating how cold the water will feel in December! Even the seals don’t want a water birth…

I have swum in Cornwall since childhood and these days I always use a wetsuit. It is essential.

I body-boarded in April in a shortie wetsuit a few years ago and my legs/feet were physically hurting before the end of my swim. Every seaside resort has a surf shop renting them out, because everyone wants to use one! You need a full length wetsuit plus boots at least.

I think maybe I am 🙈

I wonder if it's a totally no?

Of if just run in, dunk, and run out.

We might be back near the coast in May. Should I wait until then?

OP posts:
BadSkiingMum · 08/12/2023 19:46

It’s not so much the dip as the ten minute walk from the nearest warm place (i.e. your car) to the waterline and the vigorous westerly wind blowing in your face. But if the OP is keen then she should give it a try! It will be a beautiful experience if nothing else.

I was in Cornwall in late October and the majority of people on the beach were wearing coats, hoods and wellies.

Also check the lifeguarding arrangements. Many beaches are not lifeguarded after 31st October.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/12/2023 19:48

I completely agree with @CMOTDibbler. I'm a year round "skins" (no wetsuit) outdoor swimmer. I started one summer about 5 years ago and just kept going. However, I wouldn't spend 10 mins in the sea in the uk in December. Maybe 5 max, but it's no time for bravado or overdoing it with exitement.

MotherOfCatBoy · 08/12/2023 19:49

If you’re just doing it for the first time over a day or so, I’d second what others have said about run in, run out. If you stay in longer, walk in slowly, put your hands and wrists in, splash your face. Don’t stay more than a minute or two. When you start suddenly enjoying it, that’s when to get out! Don’t go out of your depth whatever you do. Afterwards you will feel cold possibly all day. Wrap up warm and drink hot drinks.

A cold shower every day between now and your trip will help a bit (I have a normal warm shower then turn the temp down before I get out for a minute or so).

MotherOfCatBoy · 08/12/2023 19:51

May will be almost as cold in the water (after the winter, water is warmest in autumn, it lags land temps by about 3 months) but of course the air temp will be massively warmer!

Run in and out a few times, you’ll be fine. Just don’t stay in.

Billybagpuss · 08/12/2023 19:51

Winter swimming if you haven’t been regularly dipping since August will be literally run in, scream a bit then run back out again laughing. Don’t get fixed time limits of 5 minutes in your head, some days that might be doable others, no chance. It depends on so much, air temperature, how you’re feeling, alcohol consumption the day before (do not even consider doing it same day)

if you feel cold get out.

im into my 3rd winter. Last year we did skins all through this year other things are going on its been busy and difficult so I’m doing my main swim in heated outdoor pool and have got the wetsuit out for cold water.

don’t underestimate the impact of cold water shock

BadSkiingMum · 08/12/2023 19:55

I imagine you would get near the roaring, foaming turquoise-grey-white sea in your swimming costumes, after a long walk across the wind-torn sands, and be already feeling chilled through and pretty daunted. You will stand on the shoreline debating the question with your DH.

Then an errant wave will unexpectedly swamp your feet, shins and knees. You will shriek in shock and rapidly be overwhelmed by the urgent desire not to expose any more of your flesh to this ice-cold torture.

Leave it till May! It will still be plenty chilly then to get a nice glow.