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 thought man o wars like warm water

I decided a sea swim at dusk by myself last night would have been at best fool hardy, so I'll have to leave an evening swim for another time. I went this morning though. The water was so much warmer than recently but the waves were huge and crashing so while it was fun, I only stayed in 5 mins! Hopefully it'll be a bit calmer tomorrow.

I saw the report of a localish Man-O-War tad scary I’m in the SW too but spotted very little in the way of critters and jelly fish this year.

Got in for 10mins this morning, it was a head out bump around breaststroke as there was still a pollution warning in place and some big waves.

Managed 10 minutes today after my isolating, think it measured about 9/10c on thermometer. Was an amazing swim at sunset and got 400 meters in so very pleased.

Off for a swim this morning. Have a feeling it's going to be freezing, it was very cold overnight. Wish me luck!

I started over the Summer and there's a quarry near me that's well set up but I've not been brave enough to go in the autumn. All the people on my local group recommend really expensive kit like £200 wetsuits and £100 robes. We have a local sea swim every Boxing Day and the sea is OK after rain and there's also a river area but that's runoff dependent.

drspouse there’s a big debate about if you need a dry robe or not. I have a moo wrap which is cheaper version but I bought mine in the summer and it was much cheaper than they are at the moment.
I say the minimum you need is a costume and towel. I don’t swim in a wetsuit as it’s just to difficult for me to swim in. Many people just start with that then add kit as they go along. I love my moonwrap as I can get changed under it, whilst being cosy.

I've been OK in the summer in costume, swim top (Lidl), neoprene shoes and changing into sports leggings (wicking) and a fleece. I actually just put them over my swim stuff and sat on a towel to drive home.
But I'm just not sure about what I need now, and worried I'll be really cold! I thought about trying to swim in leggings as well (I have an Aldi wetsuit but I don't know if I can swim in it)

Amazing beautiful sunrise swim this morning in our first calm day for a week+ lots out mostly women smiling. Air temp 1c and I only spotted 1 wetsuit. They are such an inspiring informal mix of small groups. I loved it. I had to walk the puppy at 6.30am so I could make the 7.15am swim before work Plan to go tomorrow as well before the windy weather returns again over the weekend!

Yes @triseaswim99 it was glorious this morning wasn't it?
I was a bit later than you but it was stunning. Lake was really busy, far more winter swimmers than in years gone by. Such a lovely atmosphere, everyone being careful but very jolly. Long may it continue!

That’s beautiful oranges looks an amazing place to swim.

Tbh it doesn't often look that nice, it's often a bit more grey!

What a gorgeous view, oranges. It was 7c air, probably 12 in the water, when I went this morning (10.30) and it was beautiful. The sun was shining and the water much clearer than recently. I was channelling my mum cicra 1984 though, head up sort of breast stroke (in my defense, I've hurt my shoulder so I can't do proper swimming for a bit).

Looks lovely orange we had a similarly blue sky day here.

Sea here is about 12C, I've just found out the quarry is closing and I'm not a fan of the river unless it's scorchio, but I may try the sea again if I get something a bit warmer. I might feel confident enough to try with swimming leggings, you can park pretty close TBH so I could have the hot water bottle in the car?

Maybe neoprene leggings?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Women-2mm-Neoprene-Pants-Wetsuit-Trousers-Long-Leggings-Surf-Surfing-Swimwear/254307228601?hash=item3b35e45bb9:g:QoMAAOSwOwZdNsov

Or just lycra (I think these are more like the top I have)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Swimming-Leggings-Swimwear-Swim-Wear-Stretch-Bottoms-UK-6-to-18/122121152397?hash=item1c6efce78d:g:1a8AAOSwMgdX0JTP

Just go in your costume with hat,gloves and booties you may surprise your self

I've been swimming in a wetsuit - river/lake around 10 degrees. I did manage to get it without it the other day (cossie and wetsuit socks) but only lasted about 2 mins before I started shivering.

Search up Blue Tits swimming groups on Facebook for advice and company )

@TriSeaSwim99

Just go in your costume with hat,gloves and booties you may surprise your self

Doubt it, I've been chilly enough in the summer!

Do you not find it terribly difficult to warm up afterwards?

@grassisjeweled I feel chilled for a good few hours afterwards, but I tell myself that's all part of the health benefits as your body works to warm up.

I swim first thing in the morning and follow it with a hot shower, a bowl of porridge and lots of hot drinks (different fruit teas) as well as wearing lots of layers.

Wearing a woolly hat as soon as you get out also helps!

It is very important to listen to your body and don't worry about what other people are wearing or how long they are staying in.

Particularly now that group swims and lifeguarded places are closed, we need to be sensible

Because I'm going to find it very hard to swim in the next month as my organised venue is shut, and the river isn't great for swimming, I have bought a plastic 'soaking tub' on ebay so I can immerse myself in cold water. My husband and son were most amused by me in 2' air and hose cold water dressed in swimming costume and bobble hat. My colleague thought I'd miss typed 'hot tub' when telling her what I was about to do.
It actually felt amazing, and very centering to be in the dark outside in the tub!

That's a great idea @CMOTDibbler
Probably get many of the same benefits as well

Another stunning sunrise swim but had to scrape the windscreen on the car this morning made me feel hardcore. I only went because I’d arranged to meet someone there but we both really enjoyed it. Hoping to go again Saturday morning.

Now that takes dedication CMOT I’m not sure I could do it, well done.