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Original poster

Cold water swimmers including sea, lakes and rivers

899 replies

TriSkiRun99 · 02/10/2020 16:52

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. Smile

OP posts:
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Billybagpuss · 29/12/2021 06:48

All my go to places are closed this weekend I really wanted a new year swim. I’m off to the lake tomorrow and Monday a double cold fix week., then off to the over heated pool today.

My lovely kids signed me into David Lloyd early this week and I did 2k in the outdoor pool in the rain, as much as I like the super cold temperatures it was nice to be able to swim a proper distance outdoors as it’s heated.

SkiRun0077 · 29/12/2021 16:35

Take care @Barmbraic I too am covid + so not swam since dec21st. Hope to get back in January.

Nyancat · 30/12/2021 22:20

Just found you all, I think I joined the thread months and months ago and then dropped off during jellyfish season this summer and didn't get back into it, my head took a wee wobble just before Christmas and I realised that swimming all through the winter last year had kept me sane so I made it out on christmas eve for a quick dip in skins, was a bit of a shock after not being in since the summer. Went surfing today though and it was just blissful being in the water for so long - even if it was in full suit, boots and gloves. Going to try for at least once a week through the winter - I made it more than a full year from March 2020 to last summer at least weekly so just need to woman up and get back in!

Billybagpuss · 31/12/2021 07:46

The lake was glorious yesterday, I’ve learnt that the only weather I really don’t enjoy for swimming is wind, it dropped just in time and was incredible although I’m glad the swans stayed a respectful distance away from us.

Chakraleaf · 02/01/2022 07:31

Beautiful nyd dip. I'm amazed my body has adapted and is quite comfortable for 15-20mins in the sea in a costume. The human body is amazing.

SkiRun0077 · 10/01/2022 18:51

Finally got back in the sea on Sunday (out 3 wks due to covid) we even had a peak of sunshine from behind the grey gloom that’s dominated the weather lately.Smile Hoping to get back out again in the week as forecast suggests some blue sky days and calm weather….hopefully!

Billybagpuss · 10/01/2022 20:50

I’m hoping for a sea swim in a couple of weeks time. This week I got to the lido and had only one sock, so I went in without feet or hands. It was 5 degrees. I was quite pleased I had no problem getting my head in but blimey my extremities were cold. Hoping I look back on this next year in awe hog how far I’ve progressed.

A word of caution tho, my friend got obsessed with distance and stayed in too long. She was fine but it took a while to settle down once she got out.

Billybagpuss · 10/01/2022 21:01

On A side not, my dc just put a program on that had Sam Heughan skinny dipping in the N Atlantic. I very much recommend it 😆

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 10/01/2022 22:03

I so want to try open water swimming but I'm so nervous to do it. It would be swimming in a lake (furthest town from the sea in the country!) but its got a proper set up as a Love Open Water Venue. I don't know whether to just book up for the online safety courses and take the plunge(sorry). What equipment will I need and is it a big shock to the system. Should I wait until summer to make it a bit less scary!?!

red30505 · 10/01/2022 22:05

qualified ow coach here and swimming through my 4th winter and compete in ice competitions.

happy to chat if anyones got any quesitons.

Startagaintoday · 12/01/2022 07:12

@ThankYouVeryMuchGerry I think you'll find it too cold now. Maybe look to start September or October for next winter. Or look to see if there are any outdoor pools near you doing cold water sessions. Some do. Went in lake yesterday. Weirdly 2 degrees warmer than pre Christmas

Billybagpuss · 12/01/2022 12:55

[quote Startagaintoday]@ThankYouVeryMuchGerry I think you'll find it too cold now. Maybe look to start September or October for next winter. Or look to see if there are any outdoor pools near you doing cold water sessions. Some do. Went in lake yesterday. Weirdly 2 degrees warmer than pre Christmas[/quote]
I agree too cold now, but I started last may and did wet suit swimming all through the summer but at the end of every session we got out, took wetsuit off and got back in for a dip. Sometimes it was ok to do a full lap others we squealed a bit and got out quite quickly. Next year I’m hoping to ditch the wetsuit completely from around June/July

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 12/01/2022 14:31

Thanks so much for the replies. Do you think it would be ok to start in spring, around April/May? That way I can build up through the summer and hopefully be able to handle the cold water next autumn?

Billybagpuss · 12/01/2022 17:58

@ThankYouVeryMuchGerry

Thanks so much for the replies. Do you think it would be ok to start in spring, around April/May? That way I can build up through the summer and hopefully be able to handle the cold water next autumn?
That’s what I did @ThankYouVeryMuchGerry but I did wear wetsuit and the first time it was April and I didn’t own wet socks so I wore dive boots, that was interesting. I think if you have socks and gloves and hat and respect your limits at first you will be ok, then as it warms up you can lose the gloves etc.

Also try what I did and if the fully suited bit was ok, strip off (not completely 😊) and have a dip at the end.

BogRollBOGOF · 12/01/2022 18:54

I've made it back to my lake/ centre. 5⁰C and I managed swimming for about 23 minutes before my feet complained too much (despite the neoprene)
I envy head-up swimmers Grin
It's my face that feels the daggers. My head is fine with a silicon cap and neoprene bonnet.

There's not any decent dipping opportunities around here, particularly in winter.

SkiRun0077 · 13/01/2022 13:48

@ThankYouVeryMuchGerry I found April the coldest month ever for swimming we did have a particular cold April and I’d been swimming all through the winter so it will depend on what the outside temps are. We’ve had snow in April plus 20c days Grin by May your be good to go. If your keen to go in now just go with friends, wear neoprene socks, hat and gloves. Stay in 5mins then get out. The period after you get out is colder than when your in the water. Google “after drop”. A vague gauge can be 1min for each 1c temp water wise. It’s about 8-9c in the sea near me and I prefer to get out at 10min mark knowing I prefer to warm up quicker rather than still be cold 4hrs later. Others like to stay in longer. I’ve learnt the hard way that if I winter swim for 20-25mins I personally find it much harder to warm up. If you ask around locally find a cold water swimming group e.g. on FB. There’s lots of information around cold water swimming one tip I heard was if you start to feel “warm” in the water definitely get out as you are at risk of hypothermia. You should be able to touch each finger to your thumb it’s a good check of dexterity again for hyperthermia risk. It’s hard getting dressed if your hands are too numb or shaking. Have fun it’s a great buzz

SkiRun0077 · 13/01/2022 13:51

Been in two days in a row I’m lucky I can cycle to beach for a lunchtime dip whilst working at home. Making the most of calm conditions and blue skies even if it was 1c this morning. I wore just my wetsuit jacket today it was lovely and calm.

BogRollBOGOF · 14/01/2022 21:52

I've picked up a running injury so did an indoor lengths session today. I've never felt so hot in a swimming pool before Grin
I'll still keep up the cold water on more clement days, but it was nice to stay in double the time of my cold swim!

Billybagpuss · 15/01/2022 07:27

@BogRollBOGOF

I've picked up a running injury so did an indoor lengths session today. I've never felt so hot in a swimming pool before Grin I'll still keep up the cold water on more clement days, but it was nice to stay in double the time of my cold swim!
Do we go to the same pool? I’ve never complained as much about temperature before, but I like to keep up the distance during the week and it’s the best value 25m gym pool.
GerundTheBehemoth · 15/01/2022 07:40

Hi everyone, may I join you? I am going for a swim shortly (in the sea, south-east England). The last few days have been spectacular here - fab sunrises, still air (therefore little wind-chill) and flat-calm sea.

There is a big community of sea-swimmers here. Most of us stay in skins through winter (with gloves and socks!) but there are also plenty in wetsuits. This year I've entered a couple of summer distance swimming events so need to go to the pool now and then through winter to work on my stamina!

Startagaintoday · 19/01/2022 05:53

Went in our lake yesterday. 3 degrees. Brrrrr

Billybagpuss · 19/01/2022 06:26

@Startagaintoday

Went in our lake yesterday. 3 degrees. Brrrrr
It was 3in the lido on Sunday, off to a lake on Friday this week and might even manage a sea dip this weekend but it would have to be skins as I don’t really want to take wetsuit down with me and I’m not sure I’m brave enough
SkiRun0077 · 19/01/2022 19:35

It was a bumper few days I got 5 sea swims in over 7d as conditions were so calm and tides perfect for a cycle down on my lunch break. Today weather was amazing but water way too low so just a half hour walk in the sunshine instead.

BogRollBOGOF · 21/01/2022 15:02

For inland swimming, are we approaching the coldest temperatures now?

I've decided to keep an eye on the forecast for milder days now. I use a wetsuit which is great for lasting longer and actually swimming rather than dipping, but it is a workout to remove afterwards Grin

Billybagpuss · 21/01/2022 18:18

@BogRollBOGOF

For inland swimming, are we approaching the coldest temperatures now?

I've decided to keep an eye on the forecast for milder days now. I use a wetsuit which is great for lasting longer and actually swimming rather than dipping, but it is a workout to remove afterwards Grin

3.2 degrees this lunch time.

Our lake is doing a skinny dip for charity next week 😆having not ditched the wetsuit all winter I’m thinking maybe not.