Cold water swimmers - anyone doing the polar bear/penguin challenge?

[PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle]

Full details here polarbearchallenges.com/
I've just signed up as a penguin. Although I don't wear a wetsuit I couldn't swim without my boots and gloves. I'm hoping for gold standard, 250m twice a month and a total of 1000m every month.
Would be good to have some moral support!

I had my first swim on Wednesday. 400m in 13 degrees which was fine. Didn't fancy it yesterday in the rain though!

I’m doing Silver Penguin. I’m hoping not to wear a wetsuit but need my gloves and socks!
Did my first swim yesterday morning. We did 650m. The water temp was 11.5degrees. Coffee and flapjack by the fire pit afterwards. 😊

I did my second swim yesterday and the water had dropped from 13 degrees to 11. Definitely noticed that! I've done 750 m now and both my long swims though.

I didn't find it too bad in the wager but think I need to get better at getting warm and dressed.

Here's my swimming spot. Taken last Friday when it was glorious sunshine. Yesterday was not such a wonderful experience. Cycled through torrential rain and then swam in the drizzle. The worst part was a floating island of dead leaves. It stretched the width of the lido so there was no way to evade them. Water temperature yesterday was 12 degrees which is still mild for this time of year.
Despite rain and dead leaves it's always a joy to swim outside!

I swam yesterday - still 15 degrees the lake, but I had on my wetsuit, hat and gloves 😆I'm such a wuss, but thinking of you all motivated me to go as I was struggling to get up off the sofa!

That looks beautiful @PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle !

I went swimming yesterday afternoon 11 degrees, swimsuit, hat, gloves and socks. Managed 1k 😊

Picture taken yesterday, just before a little sun broke through…

First swim last week, water is a chilly 10 degrees in Scottish loch. Tracked my distance for the first time and was really surprised is was around 600m so I've upped my goal to Gold Penguin.

I don't manage to swim to often though, twice a month will be about all day can do between childcare and work commitments.

Can I join in? I won’t be doing a challenge because I’ve left it too late but I’d like to do a swim a week through the winter. I’m a cossie and shoes swimmer, because some of my spots are quite rocky underfoot.

I went for an early morning waterfall dip this morning. Beautiful scenery and very fresh at 6°. Warming up in bed now! I might need a bath 🥶

Managed 3 swims this week! Feeling great 😊 Monday was in dense mist, Wednesday in torrential rain and today in sunshine. I’ve already reached my target for November but aim to keep swimming twice a week. Water temp is now 11 degrees. It’s only going to get colder so need to have regular swims.
Hope the rest of you are all doing well.
Would love to see some photos of your swimming spaces.

Hi, I haven't signed up but in my head I am aiming for Gold Polar Bear. Will struggle through December though, as today was tough in the lake. 8.5° and I did 300m. I am visiting London soon, staying in Clapham, any recommendations of where I might be able to swim? Thanks

I'd forgotten how floaty a bum in neoprene is 😂

I'm definitely struggling to go regularly enough to do the challenge but at least I can tick off 30 minutes at 9⁰C 😎
Very refreshing!

I had a week out of the water as crazy busy at work but managed to get in again today. The temperature has dropped 1.5 degrees in a week and I definitely noticed that! I was a very bright shade of red all over when I got out.

@timetogetlost I don't know that much about south London swimming spots but I think Brockwell Lido is still open through the winter and I'm pretty sure it's unheated.

I can't recommend the Kenwood ladies pond enough though. It's my favourite place in London. It's a bit of a trek from where you are staying but I don't think it will take too long on the northern line and you can have a lovely walk around the heath or visit Highgate cemetery before/after.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond

Thanks that's brilliant. I wouldn't have known where to begin.

That's November over with now. How has everyone done in the first month?
I've managed to exceed my target and move from Gold to Antarctic. I'm chuffed with this but it's going to get harder as the temperature drops. The water was 7 degrees today. Time to get my boots and gloves out. I'm hoping to go for extreme penguin but I have a jacket ready in case the water gets too cold. Last winter was my first swimming outside and I definitely needed it on a few occasions.
Happy swimming everyone 😀

I have also exceeded my target and moved from Silver to Antarctic. But I know I’ll slide down to silver again - an increase in working hours combined with a reduction in temperature will mean fewer chances to head to the lake and less time spent in the water.

To doing the specific challenge and have been using a pool as we’ve been away but swimming outdoors for five days in a row, then four days in a row.

Back in sea today for very end of November dip. Lovely calm water.

I've gone up to Antarctic as well but I don't think I'll manage to keep going. I have been loving it though. I'm actually a bit concerned that I'm enjoying it too much and haven't really learnt my limits.

I am really pleased I found this thread and signed up though. I'm a total convert so thanks for posting about it OP.

@timetogetlost when is your London trip? Let us know how your swims go.

Hey, I didn't find time in London in the end. So I have been a week without swimming, a bit scared to get back in tomorrow, the temperatures have plummeted!

Water was 3.9 this morning 😱The coldest I swam in last year was 3.6 so I don't know how much longer I'll last. The boots and gloves are on now and I did manage 500m but the after drop was brutal!
I think it is time for shorter but more frequent swims

How long did you swim for @PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle ?

That's impressive!
I did about 500m this week in 5⁰C and a lot of neoprene 😂

I’d like to do 500m but it takes me 20 minutes (so slow) but worry that’s too long in the water in this temperature…

To add - no wetsuit.

Ooh that cold!

I've had a lot on and had a cold this week so haven't been in and I'm getting a bit scared! If I'm feeling better I'll try and go tomorrow though!

2.95 this morning and the lake was Partially frozen. Billypup didn’t understand why she could walk on the water it was very funny