To feel so disappointed I can't get in the pool

[Pikola]

Very much a first world problem. It is however ruining our holiday a bit and I can't see a solution.

We came to Cyprus expecting the weather to still be a bit chilly, its Feb. Its absolutely baking lovely hot and sunny. Fantastic! But the pool is so cold it's basically unusable, no one has got in it. My husband has tried three times and had to get out straight away.

It's lovely getting all in the sun but part of the fun is cooling.off in the pool.

It sounds silly but it's putting a bit of a dampner on things as I can't really sit in the heat for long without it and I really love swimming pools on holiday.

We are in Paphos, it's lovely. Any tips??

Have a fantastic time @Pikola. As an ex travel agent any tips for October sunshine that's not too hot would be appreciated as I struggle beyond mid 30s! I've given up on expecting the pools to be warm after a similar experience to you. They look so tempting but they were absolutely freezing 🥶

I go in the sea in the U.K. I can't believe that the pool is that cold you can't get in it. Get it. Wait for your breathing to slow. Swim around. You'll get used to it super quickly. The colder it is the more it'll cool you off!

Cold water swimming is great for you. If you can get your shoulders in, your body soon adjusts and then you feel great.

I was in the North Sea in n-e Scotland at 7am when the water temp was 5 degrees. Now that gives you a shock but once in you stop feeling it the same and it does become enjoyable.

I think all of the Greek islands have unheated outdoor pools now. Rhodes, Crete, Kos.. I was often the only one in, and that was mid to late season in all cases. It might be good for the environment, but it is not pleasant.

Just Wim Hof it and enjoy the benefits of cold water swimming! After one length you’ll feel warm.

Yeah, you need a heated pool. We've been caught out by this several times.

Try having reynaulds and going to the local baths in Stockport through the winter. 6am endurance test every day. I’m frozen solid even in 20 degree heat with my circulation.. once you start swimming you’ll be fine.

You are being unreasonable- you can't expect the pool to be a tolerable temperature in February.

I had a go at cold water swimming at my workplace (where there was an unheated outdoor pool) and managed to get in and swim when the water was near freezing and we had to break a lane in the ice first, so I'm tempted to say stop being a wuss and go in slowly. The worst part is getting your upper body in but there is a lot to be said for just going in the shallow end and ducking yourself in, the discomfort only lasts seconds, then start swimming. It will soon feel comfortable. Once you start to feel an internal chill, that is the time to get out.

Paphos isn't really a town with nice sandy beaches, except for hotel, man-made beaches. I love swimming in the sea but preferably not off rocks.

The pool in Cyprus in May was too cold only 2 kids in it on last two days and that was mid to end of May. Luckily the hotel had a nice indoor pool too so used that. I honestly didn’t think that the pool would be freezing. Early May in Tenerife was perfect.
never mind it’s amazing to be on holiday and get some sun

In Lanzarote pools are warm enough. Just about.

We stopped going abroad because the pools were always too cold out of season, it's rare to find a decent temp pool these days - even if they warmed them up a little would help.

I feel your (first world) pain. We stayed in a lovely hotel in Crete in October and the pool was the same. It was impossible to spend time in it. Swimming and relaxing in the pool is something I really look forward to. I asked the hotel about it and they explained that they are a ‘sustainable’ hotel and no pool heat is a required factor in achieving that standard in Crete. As someone who tried to do my bit to help the environment, that certainly gave me something to think about. That said, I have compromised my principles for this October and booked their sister hotel that does not have sustainable status and heats the pool. I feel like a hypocrite, but yes, I’m doing that.

Get the back of your neck wet and then the rest of your body will self-regulate. And you only have to be in for a few minutes then get warmed up in the sun.

Who is "The Mama"?

I just got back from Tenerife. It was not very warm (13 degrees ish) and the pools weren't heated. I managed to swim every day by not putting my face in which is not a very good way of swimming but it stopped me from hyperventilating.

You came expecting chilly February weather. You got the unexpected bonus of some sunshine! Good. No, I don't expect it's been enough to warm up an outside pool. What were you complaining about again?

I lived in Cyprus for years. Late February/early March is spring. We wouldn't have dreamt of going in a pool before May. YABU.

It's probably on a par with all inclusive food - you think you're getting a fab deal but 2 weeks of shitty food and cold pools isn't exactly a good holiday. We experienced both in a 5 star hotel in Lanzarote in July, a 4 hotel in Fuerteventura at Xmas, and also in a Tenerife 4 hotel in February - that's going back to 2014-2019. Haven't been abroad since.

We've been to some amazing all inclusive with the best food we've had abroad. Go through trip advisor carefully before booking.

Very hot? The weather forecast is showing me highs of 20 degrees this week. I'd still be wearing a coat 😂

Be brave. Jump in in your depth, put your head under for a moment then vigorously swim one length . Get out and dry off in the sun. Repeat later. You’ll come home fabulously fit and energised and after a few tries it will seem less cold.