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.

That sounds amazing Biking. We've had an ecoli outbreak where I usually swim (not envy) so i couldn't get in for my planned weekend dips. Fingers crossed it clears in the next few days.

Hello all, happy to find this thread. I love sea swimming though unfortunately live far from the sea at the moment (working on relocating!)
Last weekend went in the sea at Seaford at 29 weeks pregnant - the cold water seemed to make the baby wriggly but so perfect and enjoyable. Can't wait to get in again. Anyone else swim outdoors all through pregnancy?

I spent the day cleaning and sorting and packing boxes but I managed an evening dip in the sea. I haven't been in about two weeks and it was like a balm to my soul. It was bouncy and a bit of a current so I just bobbed about for 20 mins. I'll sleep well tonight

That’s good @Barmbraic glad you got in. I went Sat morning it was calm but starting to get more seaweed now which I don’t like. Also so so busy now if you don’t go early the beach is really popular now. I miss my quiet winter days with just a few hardy souls

Can I join you all? For the first time in years I think I've discovered a hobby I sincerely enjoy. Been in the sea everyday since Thursday. It felt absolutely glorious.

Does anyone go on their own?

Yes, it's usual busy where I go too, Biking. I love the early evening so most people have gone home by then!

Hi coodawoodashooda. I usually swim on my own in that I go by myself but there would almost always be someone else walking or swimming when I'm there.

Oh if a random passer by counts then that's that sorted. Thank you.

I'm not sure it counts as official guidance or best practice

@coodawoodashooda I think it goes without saying everyone is different & has different level of risk taking and ability plus you need to be aware of the area you swim in. I swim somewhere relatively ‘safe’ but I still check the tide, wind, temp and swell conditions on a couple of Apps before I go plus I watch the sea for a few minutes before I get in to assess conditions and what other swimmers are doing. I swim mostly alone with a bright hat and bright tow float mostly there is always at least one other random person out swimming at the times I go. But and a big but don’t get complacent, I had a real scare in the winter went out despite it being abit rough barely got 5-8m off shore and was hyperventilating started to panic a wave broke over me and I had to work really hard to get back to shore. It flipping scared the crap out of me, I was SO close to the shore but out of my depth at high tide and I had underestimated the conditions completely all in the space of 3mins my watch said and I genuinely felt very scared and close to needing help to get back in. So enjoy it but know your limits and it can be such a lovely stress relief cold water swimming

Biking0077

Thank you. Yes. I really am new to this. I used to be a proficient swimmer about 10 years ago, not so much at the moment though. I can imagine a scare would happen very easily so will definitely keep your wise words in mind.

I’ve had a couple of lovely swims this week, the water has been clear and warm but definite increase in weed. Forgot my booties tonight and it was actually alright but it’s odd going in with so many people watching from the beach I’m really acclimatised now so I do literally walk straight in my costume and I just breathe my way calmly through the cold but it’s funny then watching others then give it a try and shriek & jump and get out again after 2mins. I can’t believe I’ve adjusted so much it’s amazing really.

Yes. I've only done 5 swims but I was able to walk right in by the fifth.

Forecast said it was going to be flat calm zero swell but it was bumpy and challenging swim tonight ended up more of a bob 🤣

Feels like months since I was in, but I had a lovely dip this morning. I forgot my gloves and after about a minute I didn't noticed. Need to psyche myself up for getting my face in the water now 😱

Glad you got in @Barmbraic it’s not that bad putting your face in now. I’m regularly doing front crawl head in now wearing just a costume but still got my boots and gloves on I nipped down at lunchtime for a quick one, plus last night was gloriously flat but a bit murky. Not seen any jelly fish yet but they have been reported locally as sighted. I get freaked out by them.

Gorgeous swim with some nubie friends last night. They all found it hard to get in but we ended up staying in half an hour and really enjoyed it. And some lovely hot chocolate afterwards 😋

Hello all! Can I join in here? I've started sea swimming in N Wales since I got a caravan here to escape to.
Yesterday was cold in the water! I have swim shoes and a regular swimming costume and did 20 minutes, it felt great after the initial shock. Had a jellyfish brush by my arm at the end but it just felt like nettle stings, nothing worse thankfully!

Sounds fun @Barmbraic
Welcome @Noteventhebestdrummer I tend to only stay in 15mins if just in my costume and I’ve swam all year, if I want to stay in longer I use my wetsuit jacket or full wetsuit. Everyone has different tolerances. I did read the science on cold water swimming you only need 3mins to get the benefit

It’s been really sea weedie lately and I’m not a fan tbh. Luckily not seen a jelly yet but they have been spotted locally.

I've thought about a wetsuit but I'm not a small person and I think I'd look ridiculous!

Hello Noteventhebestdrummer. I don't use a wetsuit either. I have plenty of natural insulation . Do you have gloves? I find gloves and booties/shoes the most useful kit and otherwise I'm just in my togs. When I started last winter, one of the pros recommended to stay in about 1 minute per degree temperature of the water (eg 7 mins for 7 degrees). Luckily we don't have jelly fish in these parts, but I was attacked by sea weed last night which was grim. Where I usually swim seldom has any so it was a reminder why I go there! Lots of seals keeping an eye on us though.

I'll have a look for gloves then, thanks!
Is it dangerous to stay in cold water too long? I have excellent insulation...there are seals here but none yet when I've been in the water, sadly.

I honestly don't know if it's dangerous, but I do find the longer I'm in the longer it can take to warm up again afterwards. It's not so much an issue now, but in winter it certainly is. After drop might hit you a bit later too, so keep an eye out for that. I find a few hot drinks best to help me warm up.

Two swims in two days. Both were glorious. It was like a pond last night and the water really clear. Dd came with me a loved it so she came again today. It was a bit bouncier but lots of peoole out enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

Following with interest, started sea swimming in the local harbour about 3 weeks ago. Went from a quick dip at the start to managing about an hour of very slow swimming on Tues morning. However there's now an ecoli warning so won't go in for a day or two. Also I didn't realise that you could get chafing! Am wearing a lovely coating of Sudocrem under my arm at present, attractive...anyone got any magic tips to prevent it?