Tips for changing quickly and warming up when open water swimming in winter

[toastofthetown]

It’s my first winter swimming outside and I’m trying to get as many tips as possible so I can practise before it’s bitterly cold. I have a hooded changing towel I change under already, and a Dryrobe to throw on after. At the moment my process is get out, remove swim cap, and swim socks, remove wetsuit from arms, put microfibre towel robe over head, remove wetsuit and bikini, put on clothes, remove towel, slip Crocs on, if it’s cold put on Dryrobe and go. Getting my top on is the hardest part at the moment.

Some tips I’ve seen

• merino wool cami to wriggle up over hips so I don’t need to wriggle top through the neck of my towel
• bottle of warm water to pour over after stripping wetsuit
• hot water bottle to wrap towel and clothes in
• flask of hot tea
• wear a hat when out of the water
• thermal socks and mittens for swimming in

I’m hoping that Primark restock their thermal wide legged joggers this year (or any other tips for where to get pull on, wide legged thermal trousers) because faffing around with leggings and damp skin doesn’t work as I’ve discovered when trying to wrangle leggings back on while my baby is screaming after his swimming lesson.

At the moment I just leave my feet bare and head off in my Crocs, but I’m probably going to have to add socks too.

Does anyone have any extra tips or tricks for staying warm, or changing more quickly when swimming outside in winter?

I’m an outdoor swimmer going onto my 6th winter. Definitely wool socks! I have big wool rich ski socks that are a bit too big and quick to pull on to cold, damp feet. I get changed as quickly as possible , even if this does mean I might accidentally flash someone. I don’t wear a wet suit as I get colder with the sharp of taking it off! I wear zip up neoprene boots through - easy to take off. I don’t faff with underwear. Merino base layer, fleece joggers, fleece or wool jumper, dry robe,, a warm hat, and then crucially a walk. Maybe 10 mins, whilst sipping a hot drink. The only time I’ve ever had afterdrop was when I didn’t walk. It just gets my blood flowing properly again.

Following for tips as a keen swimmer who is planning to try OW at some point in the spring.

I don't worry about trying to get knickers and a bra on over damp skin. I just put on loose joggers, t shirt and warm jumper. Yes, you will need socks but I'd go for thick slightly loose woolly ones

Do you wear neoprene hat, gloves, boots whilst swimming?

Forgot to say, with my big socks on, I wear crocs or wellies.

Neoprene socks and gloves for in the water. I have 5mm ones which are more expensive but better than 3mm ones.

i have big fleecy joggers and thermal t shirt that I change into after swimming. Any kind of underwear or skin tight thing I just find too tricky.

you can get foam mats to stand on while changing which help with feet.

ski socks, go on quickly. Crocs unlikely to be enough in winter.

i take a flask of hot water to put over my hands when I get out which warms them up. Then goes into hot water bottle.

don’t bother with hot drinks.

big bobble hat.

speed and ease of dressing is key.

Get a zip round mat to stand on when changing then all your wet items are in in it afterwards. I have massive fleece lined joggers, cashmere socks and hat wide necked cashmere jumper, then my hot water bottle that has a wraparound it with Velcro holder.
Getting changed quickly and moving afterwards is the Key.
Hot drink before heading home.
thanks to the poster who has reminded me to get zip up boots kIalways struggle with my pull on ones.

I already wear the Zone3 5mm neoprene socks which I’m hoping will be warm enough to last through winter already, and I’ve tried the mittens which were really warm. I have a fleecy mat to stand onto change, and I can wrap the wet stuff in there and change it. My car has keyless entry so I also don’t need to rescue my keys from my tow float.

I can’t imagine swimming without a wetsuit in the cold weather. I’m too much of a wimp.

Ski socks in a size up are a great suggestion, and should also fit in my Crocs easily enough.

Going for a walk also seems sensible and I might park at the far end of the car park so that even if I fancy getting into the car and cranking the heating up, I’m forced to walk back.

The no underwear is giving me pause, but enough people ah e said it, that it’s almost definitely the right the answer. I don’t wear a bra at the best of times, but going without pants still makes me want to say no

Take an extra towel to stand on to keep your feet warm. Sometimes known as a "steppie". Take someone with you for 'elf and safety mate.

The issue with underwear (whether pants of a bra) is that it takes time to get on, particularly if your skin is wet,

that’s fine right now when it’s relatively warm but come January when it’s 4 degrees that extra time it takes is just longer in the cold.

realistically you are getting changed properly when you get home anyway

Agree with all the above especially ski socks and going commando. Make sure your towel and clothes are all accessible to put on quickly. I bought a swimsuit a size larger than usual so I can peel it off quickly.
I’ve also never bothered with a wetsuit, it just makes it slower to get changed afterwards.