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.

It wasn't windy which helped, I'm quite insulated by excess body fat but I do wear swim shoes and I'm determined to swim April to October this year.

It's an amazing spot! I was visiting although I do that often, I have a caravan further south. Music matters to me too :)

I got into the Bantham Swoosh through the ballot I’m so excited, did 2k in outdoor pool yesterday aiming for the same in the lake on Friday then hope to find a free time to try a 5k before the event.
my only issue is I’m swimming skins but have to wear wetsuit for the event

That’s a fab swim @Billybagpuss i hope you have good weather on the day. A friend did it pre-covid and loved it. I was looking at doing privately as there’s a few local companies that do guided swims if you get a couple of you together.

Oh I wish I’d known that, I’ve been looking into doing a private Alcatraz swim as all the official ones look scary. I’m really looking forward to the swoosh I know I can do half the distance relatively comfortably and am hoping the tide will more or less do the rest 😂😂

This was one of the local companies that does day swims ~ I’ve not used them just had it bookmarked but I’ve not kept up my pool swimming this winter so starting from too low a base this year I think as I’ve other life stuff going on to train up for a 2hr+ seaswim this year.
https://www.openwaterdevon.com/day-tours

@TriSkiRun99 thank you for that link, I do wish I’d found it before, I’ve definitely got a minimum group number. Happy for you to join us if I do decide to have another go.

I know a few people who have done burgh island but you do need a calm day and kayak support for that one as the back of the island can get choppy. It’s only a hours swim though. I’ve lost my confidence at the moment swimming too far out my depth and waiting for a op in the summer, once that’s out the way I hope to rebuild my swimming again.

How exciting!!! I’m doing that in July too but not as part of the arranged swoosh - with a local and well mosey along without the crowds on a different weekend! Can’t wait!!

Burgh Island and Bantham are fab. Bantham is one of my favourite beaches.

I went outdoor swimming yesterday for the first time in about two years and it was great!
But I have an itchy ear.

2 more sea swims this week on the Llŷn Peninsula this weeks, lovely weather so I stayed in for 40 minutes yesterday

I've finally braved it and signed up to a group who meet on a Sunday and a Thursday for a swimble. It sounds v relaxed and there's cake

I have a bikini and swim shoes, rash vest and towel poncho on the way
Anything else I need? And how do I get my bra on after

@bonfirebash Don’t bother with a bra after 😂I pull a string vest up from my feet it’s so much easier under a towel poncho and I cycle home after no one notices and if they did I’m 🤷🏻‍♀️ I do add other layers over the top afterwards. I have a woolly hat still I know it’s sunny but it’s still cold. But i tend to swim early morn when there’s still a nip in the air.
A tow float & bright coloured swim hat I think are essentials to be seen at sea. Mirrored goggles if swimming in sunlight are useful. I’ve bought both from lomo.co.uk . A flask or thermal cup drink for after too. And Have fun its highly addictive!

Thank you! No sea yet, it's more of a bimble in a river

I tend to put on baggy race t-shirts after, I have them anyway, they're easy and dry well. I get away with no bra easily. Loose trousers/ shorts are handy too.

I found this winter that if getting into the car soon after, the engine warmed quickly and it was better not to layer up too much and trap the cold in, it was better letting my skin get to the warm air better, plus heating from food/ drink.

It's looking like a good week for swimming. I might go to cossie/ rash vest. I wore my shortie last time, and my extremities felt fine.

I'm excited now! Going to be fun if I end up needing a wetsuit as I'm a 34K bra
I feel more comfortable covering up a bit so got a t shirt thing

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-surfing-short-sleeve-uv-protection-t-shirt-malou/_/R-p-324760?mc=8731397

I too have a large chest I’ve swam all winter in a 4mm jacket it was a “man’s” but I just sewed up the back a bit, other ladies just swim all year in costume. Having boots, gloves and a hat are more important I think for colder swims but we’re all different. “Two bare feet” website do all different combinations of wetsuits stuff. I do have an expensive swimming wetsuit by blue seventy a small women’s curvy one that fits well but the floatation of it forces me to do head in swimming which I found too cold in the winter so I’ve not used it!

Boots and gloves on my list if I stick with it
I have an insulated bobble hat thing from the stables so that will do
This is where the swim is

That looks like a lovely place to dip n bob n swim I hope you have a fab time.

I had so much fun! Bikini and swim shoes, stayed in for about 45 mins as the water was at 21c

Looks amazing!

I'm going sea swimming paddling tomorrow as they've organised a sunset dip

I'm hoping I can get in this week while the weather's lovely and warm...

Argh. Cancelled due to sewage, there's been a post from the council and water company not to swim