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.

@FrangipaniWHOOOOO

Ahhh love this thread!!

We usually stop OW (lakes) swimming mid-September but currently still going!!!

Trying for all year round...

This was a week and a half ago - 11 degrees although I think most of the lakes we swim in have stopped to sub 10 now, I will confirm after Wednesday!!

That is stunning!

Hello fellow nutters! I’m in Lancashire so sea swims sometimes but most often we nip up to the south lakes and swim there, although we’re not allowed at the moment I’m still in skins, I can’t afford a wetsuit so I’ll be seeing how long I can go out of necessity! I have just bought a thermal rash vast from 2 bare feet which has made a big difference. I often swim in the river but it was too high and fast this weekend...I’m missing my lovely calm tarn swims!

Lovely looking lake FrangipaniWHOOOOO

I had a shriek n bob wave jump swim early this morning super strong (nearly blew my bike wheel out as I cycled down) inshore wind made getting changed after quite a challenge then it started raining sideways 🤣trying to warm up now with coffee but so so exhilarating
Ooh I’d love a moonlit Halloween swim but the forecast here in SW looks awful with strong gusty winds and big seas building this week. Will watch closely the forecast to see if any more slivers of calm water appear!

There is a difference between surf wetsuits and swimming/triathlon ones. Swimming ones are much more fitted so easier to move in. Because of that there is less water flushing so you can get away with a thinner suit. I have a zone 3 one which I swim through the winter in. Hood/hat and socks good for winter swimming (most heat lost through head). This time of year a lot of companies might be selling off rental stock and you can often get ex rental triathlon wetsuit bargains.

@Taytotots I've actually ordered the bottom of the range Orca suit and some boots and gloves based on reviews that people felt toasty at 10-12 degrees. So should be good to go I think-bit pissed off I'm an XL at size 14 though, swimming only for the sylph- like apparently. Have my winter swim induction at the weekend! If I actually manage to get 'home' at any point this year I'll get some lovely Cornish sea swimming in too.

@SirVixofVixHall

I can't afford a winter wetsuit, and have the 2 summer wetsuits of different sizes anyway due to weight fluctuations, so I'm making do! I was so glad of my hood on Sunday, especially when the waves broke over the back of my head.It made such a massive difference! Their were kids in alongside me in shorts and T shirts!

Oh great @Breadandroses1! Enjoy your sea swims. Yes the sizing is mad - I'm also an xl often (size 14 and 5ft 9). Anyway you'll be much warmer if you aren't sylph like .

Yes a nice bit of insulation! I'm tall as well which throws the sizing out somewhat, but the biggest men's wetsuits definitely cater for much larger.

10' today, and windy. It was absolutely lovely, even if I did my video calls with my new heated throw wrapped round me from below camera level down for a large part of the day!

I’m jealous CMOT it’s been a write off here with big sea swell, heavy rain and wind..and won’t relent Until Tues/We’d next week plus my youngest DD has now been told to isolate due to someone in their class testing CV positive - it’s put a massive downer on Half terms plans this week.

The sea swells have been looking amazing, but def no swimming! What a pain for your dd, hope she stays well.
I have a challenge tomorrow - swimming session starts at 9, I need to be customer facing video ready by 11... I think it might be a heads up breaststroke dip more than a swim.

Much too windy here to swim, I haven’t been in for weeks now. I am hoping for some calmer days to get in there before it gets properly cold.

I managed to get a swim today. It's been so windy and rough all week I didn't want to risk it but today was glorious. It was 10c but not a breath of wind so it didn't seem as cold as the last few days. The sun was shining and the sky a gorgeous blue. If the water hadn't been 13c it could have been the Med

Where do you all change after swimming? Or do you live right by the sea

WunWun I get changed by the beach and then 2m cycle home. Lots of ladies down there either wrestling with towels or quite a few have those change robes now. I did the cheap version and sewed two towels together for a over the head poncho robe.

I’ve found you didn’t know you were here!
I sea swim in skins and I’m attempting my first polar bear challenge this year but just doing penguin as I need my gloves and booties.
I haven’t been in sea for a week as I’m self isolating but desperate to get back in.

Watching for inspiration :)

WunWun we always change where we swim. I made our own changing robes quite cheaply.

I got a very well priced poncho in decathlon earlier in the year and it's great for changing. The one time I drove home in my wet kit I didn't get warm til I got into bed that night so I always do it there and then.

Littlebeach the polar bear challenge sounds very daunting!

MotherForksin I’m feeling rather daunted, worried about staying in long enough to get the 200meters in.
WunWun I get changed at the beach I have a moonwrap but someone I swim with has lined a waterproof poncho with a fleece.
I do the hot water bottle in the freezer bag thing also...and I put a milk carton of tap water in there to clean off all the sand.

Ooh I didn’t know you could do a penguin challenge that sounds fun as I need my hat & gloves and booties. Am I too late to sign up?

Yep I’m too late to do it ‘officially’ but I will do my own Penguin Challenge as we have a group of ladies who are all spurring each other on to keep going this winter.

TriSeaswim99 entries were only open for 24hours so a very limited time in which to enter.
I know a few people how didn’t get entry but are still aiming to do the challenge, just means you don’t get a certificate I think.
I’m isolating until Tuesday so gutted I can’t swim tomorrow but even in a lockdown I think I’ll take my daily exercise as a run/swim, so at least I’m getting in the water.

If we make it I offered to bake a penguin cake for the end of March and we can all have picnic it will be the weather/lock down that will be the biggest restriction I fear not grit and determination...

I'm in the polar bear challenge, my 3rd year.
Water still relatively mild here in Cornwall but very choppy & murky & portugese man o war-y!