Hampstead Women’s Pond

[CeciledeVolanges]

I live nearby and would really like to try it, but at the same time hate cold water. Would anyone be able to tell me what it’s like?

I went there years ago and loved it! It's been quite warm recently, so the water shouldn't be too cold? We have been river swimming, and the water whilst refreshing, is definitely not so cold that you can't stay in for more than a few minutes.

I went on a sunny day last June/July... it was so cold my lips went blue. The showers afterwards were cold too (not sure if that is always the case) which didn’t help. It is beautiful but I would prepare to be cold!

Thank you! I’m going back and forth on it because on the thirty degree days I wanted nothing so much as to jump into some cold water...

What about wearing a long sleeve swimming costume or a light wetsuit?

I love it but would never use it now they let men in.

Don’t bother if you’re unsure. It’s crammed because it’s so lovely and you have to book online now anyway, days in advance.

Thanks all :) unfortunately my budget is too tight for a new swimming costume or wetsuit, I think I will stick with conventional pools for now. Although a pond is probably more “conventional”...

Cover yourself in lard? A cheaper alternative, possibly not so ascetically pleasing

You have to acclimatise to outdoor swimming. First time, let yourself get in gradually, and don't swim for more than twenty minutes or half an hour. Remember when you get out your core temperature drops very quickly, so get wrapped up warm and have a hot drink within five minutes of getting out, and move around a bit. The second third and fourth time you will be more acclimatised and can stay longer. You may also get addicted, it's very feel good. The surface temperature can vary and feels very cold sometimes even in July.

Saying that, I have only been wetsuit swimming this year, so skin might be worse!

I swim in Scottish lochs in “skins” (no wetsuit). I’ve never actually broken ice to get in - but the water is often down to 3 degrees.

So yeh, your Hampstead pond sounds positively balmy!

Sadly, yes. Anyone who identifies as female can now use the women’s pond. Willies welcome, no surgery required, just turn up and say “Man, I feel like a woman” and you’re in.

It’s depressing.

I dont understand why they did that when they have a mixed pond anyway. Can women identify themselves into the men's pond?

Yes, they can, I doubt many do though.

Can women identify themselves into the men's pond?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5796701/Hampstead-ponds-row-continues-transgender-demands-going-far.html They tried

OP, if you're not sure about the pond, you could try one of the lidos? There is one in Hampstead itself: parliamenthilllido.org.

It's a pond - they never get very cold like an outdoor pool - it's the plants that keep it warm I think.
My BF stopped going last year when there was a man parading up and down in a very small cut out style swimsuit. It isn't fair.

I saw this on the feminist board a while back, I might be wrong but I think one of the women is a Mumsnetter.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/female-campaigners-selfidentify-as-men-to-infiltrate-male-only-pool-at-hampstead-heath-a3850556.html%3famp

Trust me, I’m already covered in lard! I used to be great at swimming in the sea, unheated swimming pools and so on, and also grew up in some very cold houses, but I had a period of anorexia which left me absolutely terrified of the cold. I have swum in the sea and in a lake since, but it took me positively ages to get in and I didn’t enjoy it very much. I’ve a friend who has been outdoor swimming and found it’s great for her mental health, though, and I see people on Twitter who swim outdoors and seem to love it, and there is the obvious feeling of walking and running by it every day and wondering if I’d be missing out if I didn’t go! Next time it gets really hot I’ll check out the Parliament Hill lido, definitely. Thank you all so much!