Cold water swimmers including sea, lakes and rivers

[TriSkiRun99]

After sea swimming regularly since May I’m hoping to carry on. Is anyone else hoping to carry on open water or sea swimming through the winter? If you fancy supporting each other and sharing hints n tips come join me. I’ve just bought some socks and neoprene hat, I’m hoping to to stay in my cossie as long as possible but I do have a wet suit if I cave.

I had a fun short dip earlier, bouncing about in a big swell. The water was apparently colder than NYE (6.7 vs 7.3 iirc) but didn't feel it. 🤷‍♀️ Nice start to 2021 swimming though and I didn't put on the neoprene jacket yet! Weather forecast is bad for the rest of the week so not sure when I'll get another one in.

I think I just need to take the plunge. 3mm gloves/socks enough? Thinking I'll make do with hubby with blankets rather than dry robe for moment...

I went earlier today. Water in Solent was around 11 degrees still. Not too awful, until you get out. Lots of comments from people walking on beach but nice comments. We had dryrobes for Christmas which are lovely to get out to. Whipped Cassie off then drove home dying off still and straight into a warm shower.

littlebelina I don’t use a dry robe and I’m always dressed quicker than my swim companions who do I use a £20 quick dry towel poncho which I leave on (whip costume off) and layer over thermal top, fleece etc.

6/7 degrees in the sea in south west Cornwall. It's usually warmer this time of year so not looking forward to Feb/March!!! 🥶🥶🥶

Beautiful day for a lush lunchtime swim, I did put the full wetsuit on as there was still frost on the sand even at noon! Loved it as there was no wind so it felt ‘warm’ getting changed on the beach

Can I join you too please? I’ve been swimming skins year round for a couple of years now. It was a gorgeous day today and had a lovely lunchtime swim. 10 degrees.

Went yesterday and it did take a while to warm up afterwards as air was so cold. Reducing amount of time in the water a little now, but still gives a lovely buzz after I’ve thawed. Now have an insulated travel cup with a mocha ready for straight afterwards and swimming in a fleecy hat. Odd look, but who cares?

Ooh welcome more mad swimmers- I do really like the buzz of a costume only swim but I do find at a certain week in the monthly cycle I can’t tolerate it very well?? Bizarre that the mad peri hormones also effect my ability to warmup afterwards when normally they are only too happy to hot flush me 🤣
I’m hoping to go again Saturday as the winds & swell look light.

Oh, that's interesting Tri. There are some days I just can't get warm either but I hadn't noticed or thought to look for a pattern. I must do now you say it.

It was glorious here today but really cold. The waves were very high and I got wiped out by one, luckily just as I was about to get out anyway. It's funny how the water seems warmer when the swell is greater. I wonder what the physics of that is...

Did anyone get a swim in today? Our river was low enough to swim in again, though the current was still strong, so I went in (with a distanced buddy). The mud was awful, and a very inelegant entrance was called for with sliding in on my bum. Didn't swim for too long (20 minutes ish) due to the tricky out, but it was lovely even for 4.3'

Ventured in yesterday. We got a clap! The trouble was people then wanted to talk about it and I just wanted to get wrapped and warm.

I so admire you all!! I am just wondering what you like /getvout of this type of swimming? I was a top competitive swimmer back.in the day, but like a warm secure pool!

I went earlier today. Water in Solent was around 11 degrees still

I'm desperate enough now that I'd consider 11 degree swimming if I was close enough. Open water round here is about 1 degree!

Forgot to come back to this thread. I’m off out again at 12pm today.
@CherryRoulade this is so true, I prefer to swim when it’s quieter but it’s soooo cold first thing in the morning. I’ve had people taking my photo as I’ve come out
Got a thermometer for Christmas and generally it’s measuring around 3° air temp and around 7° sea temp.
@Belshels I love being out in nature and being able to swim in absolute peace and quiet. I’m a breaststroker in the sea but was getting front crawl lessons before lockdown, so can’t wait until the milder weather so I can do a greater distance in peace surrounded by nature. Swimming as the sunrises or sets is an amazing experience.

@tizwozliz

I went earlier today. Water in Solent was around 11 degrees still

I'm desperate enough now that I'd consider 11 degree swimming if I was close enough. Open water round here is about 1 degree!

It was colder yesterday - I’d guess around 8 degrees still.

@Belshels winter swimming is very different to indoor or summer swimming outside. In the summer I love getting in the lake and spending a couple of hours swimming as far and fast as I can. In the pool I like the challenge of speed. But winter swimming is about the living in the moment feeling it gives you - its incredibly grounding and relaxing plus there are proven body chemistry changes that happen that contribute to overall mental health. Overall, open water swimming relaxes me in a way that the pool never does (apart from maybe a gorgeous lido).
Winter swimming also seems to be incredibly inclusive. Its not about speed or physical capability, and its rare in that it is dominated by ladies with a bit more natural insulation (in fact channel swimmers often have to put on fat), and the nature of it means dressing like a bag lady with many layers, bobble hats, and shivering while drinking hot chocolate (you need sugar and heat to rewarm) is what you do, no passing speed tests, club memberships or intimidating coaches

CMOTDibbler Perfectly put. I swam competitively as a child, as well as growing up poor in a seaside town. We swam from Easter holidays to October half-term usually. It was great fun and gave us a taste of excitement and camaraderie. Swimming out to the rafts was the first rite of passage followed by jumping off the pier platform.
It’s still the fun that does it for us. I consciously avoid indoor pools now. They never leave me feeling refreshed or buzzing with a warm glow like open water or a decent lido does. The sea and many rivers have a vibrancy and joy that is missing from swimming in lanes in a noisy, steamy pool.

So interesting thank you! I can see how it is less competitive and not about speed which must be liberating because if I get in a pool I have to go fast watch the tiles on the floor and the lane ropes, and count my strokes per length etc. I see how it must be more friendly as I guess you are all in it together and probably trying to get warm all together too. I have a fear of open water after watching several Jaws films as a child. I'm.not sure I could overcome that though! Never feel comfortable jumping into the sea, and murky water makes me panic.

Very nicely explained, Dibbler. I was in for a very refreshing 5 minutes today. The water was 6.2 which is the coldest I've experienced. I haven't used my wetsuit yet although I forgot my gloves and socks today which definitely made it harder. I can't wait until my shoulder is better and I can actually swim again.
Bleshsels, I completely agree about the murk! I go to a very open but stoney beach just to avoid the nearer and slightly warmer cove that's full of seaweed.

I’d echo what CMOT said it’s the shared nature of the experience the chit chat before and after. In the summer I was more about swimming as far out as I dared for a 45min session, now it’s more a leisurely 10-15mins breaststroke head out looking at the amazing place I get to swim in whilst benefiting from cold water on my joints. Bleshsels It really reduces the impact of running on my muscles having a cold water swim after. I had 3x sea swimming lessons in the summer which really helped my confidence as I’m still quite respectful of the sea and easily spooked by murky things . All I can say is find a place others go, say hello, try a dip or two and see if the buzz hooks you in.

I had a post long run dip today. It was really bone chilling cold but I went in costume as I really just wanted a physio cold session, 8 mins was enough and a socially distanced wave to a few ladies out at a beautiful sunset.

Lovely sunrise dip on Friday morning after a run. Truely stunning sunrise I felt very lucky to have super calm conditions and there were quite a lot out mostly ladies in the sea. It was around 8c water temp.

How’s everyone else getting on? Can you still get your cold water fix even with lockdown restrictions?

The sunrise sounds gorgeous!
I managed to get a dip this morning, though when I got down to the river and was waiting for my swim buddy it was a bit touch and go as the river level was way up (and I didn't think it had rained that much) and a very fast flow. But after assessment we decided that the bit where we get in was protected enough to get in and at least be in the water. So after an entertaining entry (and seeing straightaway that the first in could get out again) we trod water for a while. We did see if you could swim against the current, but it was like being in an endless pool, so swam in one place effectively!

I can just about get of bed these days, so I've huge admiration for a sunrise swim! I was in for a 5 min dip on Thursday (after physio) and again today. It was busy today, lots of people both walking on the beach and swimming.

Sunrise dip but really felt the cold this morning struggled to regulate my breathing for 2-3mins in the shallows and the cold felt like leg daggers on my thighs so was out after only 7mins today but it was a nice way to start a gloomie Monday.