Outdoor swimming

[Studentnursesos12e]

I’ve decided I fancy something completely new.

I’ve done normal swimming on-off and have heard cold swimming is good for endorphins.

I’m not about to just jump in a lake, there’s a organised group in Edinburgh at portobello so I’d start there.

Has anyone done it before ?

Also, what will I need?

Google tells me neoprene socks and gloves, as well as swimming costume or wetsuit and bright coloured swim hat.

Thanks x

I just swim in sea or lakes

Unless you’re going somewhere remote you just need a bathing suit.

Thanks @Skyejuly @Pipandmum x

Did you read ‘Leap in’ by Alexandra Heminsley?
She talks about certain techniques for immersion etc. It’s a good book.

I swim in the sea, but only in the summer, just in a normal suit, can’t tell you anything, really.

I used a triathlon style wet suit. Some parts are not as thick as a normal wet suit so it makes it easier to swim.

When you go in the water, while you can still reach the bottom go right under to make sure that your whole head is wet. It has something to do with if don't if you don't then suddenly get a wet head your body can naturally go into panic mode so if you wet it first you should be ok.

Flask of hot chocolate for after doesn't go amiss.

Good luck.

We swim in sea, rivers, tarns, lakes or outdoor pools nearly year round. We avoid February usually as temperatures too chilly in sea.
We swim in skins. My husband has neoprene gloves because of Reynauds. I don’t use anything for cold.
We do both use swim shoes for anything other than lidos or sandy beaches. Just cheap plastic ones that we’ve had for about five years.
We also have homemade dry robes for changing: Two bath sheets sewn together with headband armholes. They allow you to dry off and dress with some degree of modesty and comfort. You can get commercial dry robes for about £50 but ours were £20 for two using towels from a market.
There are warning signs all over the place and one must be mindful of fishers with protected rights but otherwise jump in. It’s the tingling afterwards that is such a good feeling. We squeal like teenagers and moat outdoor swimmers don’t take themselves too seriously. Groups are usually welcoming and not judgemental about shape/size or ability.

Don’t go out of depth or just throw yourself in a quarry because of cold shock risk. Acclimatise each time and to swim year round. You would be unwise to leap off a bridge into a river in January as your first experience. It’s just common sense really. Know the water you are using- tides, currents, depths etc. Try not to swim completely alone until confident and think about a tow float if you are swimming alone in the sea so you can be spotted easily.

Moat European countries have a much better swimming culture and support outdoor swimming far more than U.K.

A wetsuit will keep you in the water for longer.

Personally I prefer a dip and a short swim without a wetsuit but if I was going to do it seriously and swim a considerable distance I’d want a wetsuit on.

An orange floaty bag which doubles up as a carry bag is handy.