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Original poster

Sea swimming

15 replies

MistyTrains · 17/08/2023 16:52

I just got a place in a sea swim event. I am a confident pool swimmer and recently did 2.5km in the pool for charity. I am confident in the sea but have no experience at this point.

I'm going to look for an intro talk on sea swimming and try and get to a group for some practise in the sea or a lake. I have a wetsuit.

Does anyone have pointers or advice? It's a fun mass participation event so not competitive or anything. It was a waitlist place so has come at a surprise.

OP posts:

lljkk · 17/08/2023 18:27

have you really never swam in the sea?

Personally I hate salt water in eyes or mouth.

Squiblet · 17/08/2023 18:41

Check the water quality before you go in, and be ready to get sick ....
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/05/investigation-after-57-world-triathlon-championship-swimmers-fall-sick-and-get-diarrhoea-in-sunderland-race?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Fifty-seven swimmers fall sick and get diarrhoea at world triathlon championship in Sunderland

Athletes competing on stretch of UK coastline where reduced water quality at centre of dispute over sewage discharges

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/05/investigation-after-57-world-triathlon-championship-swimmers-fall-sick-and-get-diarrhoea-in-sunderland-race?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

hylian · 17/08/2023 19:10

Check the tides and the current. Currents will throw you big time if you're only used to swimming in pools. It's better to swim on an incoming tide, rather than when the tide is going out.

There have been some issues with sewage release around the UK in recent times, but I don't think this year has been as bad as last year. I'm sure the organisers of any event would be checking that carefully.

If you are swimming alone it is worth checking though - I think there's an app you can use that will tell you where it safe to swim.

CMOTDibbler · 17/08/2023 19:15

Is it Pier to Pier? You really want to get someone experienced to swim with you in the sea first, and you need some time in your wetsuit. An amazing number of people have a panic attack in OW events as a combination of the dark water under you, the feeling of the wetsuit, and just people being around you. You also need to learn to sight so you swim in a straightish line

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 17/08/2023 22:30

I wear swim shoes (don't like the feeling of crabs hitching a ride on my toe) and use a tow float.
It can be tricky to swim in a wetsuit depending on what kind it is, so I would practice a bit.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 17/08/2023 22:30

Also, don't go near seals.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/08/2023 22:35

I swim.in the sea and its completely different to pool swimming.

If you are going to practice,go with someone else and use a tow float. Personally, I don't swim in a wetsuit as I really dislike them and find it much harder to swim.

I think the distance you're aiming at is admirable, but very long if you're not used to it.

Good luck!

Original poster

MistyTrains · 17/08/2023 23:42

Thanks really helpful. I defo need to practise in the wetsuit as they do feel wierd. It does involve a pier @CMOTDibbler . Think you hit the nail on the head about the panic element - one elbow or kick in the face, some sea water down the wrong way etc. Also there is the fact that Jaws is basically under there which I am going to have to get over. Quite a lot to learn.

It is 1km against the tide.

OP posts:

MistyTrains2 · 08/09/2023 22:52

Just to update, I had a sea swimming lesson and it went really well. The event is tomorrow and the conditions are good. Fingers crossed it goes well.

EllaMenopee · 09/09/2023 08:02

Good luck today

UnaOfStormhold · 09/09/2023 08:06

Good luck for today! By coincidence I have my first open water swim triathlon tomorrow - I have done a dozen sea swim sessions over the summer in preparation but still a bit nervous. I do love swimming outside, makes the pool feel as dull as a treadmill compared to running outside, but there is always a sense of being in an unpredictable environment.

AltitudeCheck · 09/09/2023 08:11

Let us know how it goes! Will you still wear a wetsuit given the current temps?

MistyTrains2 · 09/09/2023 21:25

Hi all thanks for the well wishes. I just thought I'd come back and update the thread.

It's quite hard to describe- as I am such a newbie so much of it was new!

It was harder than in the lesson to acclimatise to the cold - and it wasn't even that cold...it took me about five minutes to get going switching between breast and front crawl, but the breathing tips really helped. Conditions were perfect.

Once I got going and fixed on where I was going it was good...some quite large cold pockets and I'd maybe have preferred a wetsuit. Also attacked by seaweed. It's quite wierd when all you can see is green and the odd swimmer...but I didn't hate the salt water so that was good.

I got a little fatigued, I was never in doubt of my swimming, it was purely a bit of a mental challenge where I was quite alert, but it was a relief when I knew I was on the home straight.

When I got to the shore, I couldn't stand up! Both ears were full of water and I was swaying so had to be carried out - I was close to last so that was mildly embarrassing being helped over the finish line. I'm not sure what happened, I was just dizzy from the moving in the sea and my legs went a bit jelly.

Not sure of my time, 30-40 minutes for 1.2km. All in all good and will defo be doing more.

@UnaOfStormhold Good luck!!!

UnaOfStormhold · 10/09/2023 17:45

Good work Misty, glad you enjoyed it even if you felt a bit off at the end. Earplugs can really help with keeping water out of your ears (I have one which you can hear through) but I think going from horizontal to standing always means a bit of an adjustment. I also had beautiful conditions this morning, lovely and smooth, though with a significant current which was a challenge at times. I did my swim in 44 mins which I was pleased with. I also had a struggle getting out of the water - I felt really dazed for a minute or so, neither my body or brain seemed to be working which made running up the steep beach, finding my bike, getting the wetsuit off and cycling things on a bit of a fumble. Luckily things settled down once on the bike and I'm happy with how the event went all together.

MistyTrains2 · 10/09/2023 18:43

Great to read about your experience and well done!! Good that you got into the cycling and were pleased overall with how it went! Great weekend weatherwise for it.

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