Open Water Swimming

135 watchers

1step2far Feb 2018 9:59am, 19 Feb 2018 2,675 posts	0 1step2far Wow! Well done!
LindsD Apr 2018 1:30pm, 10 Apr 2018 22,544 posts	0 LindsD I think it's time to open this thread again blows off dust I'm off for my first swim of the season on Sunday. Current lake temperature 8 degrees. I've never swum this early in the year before - any tips? Two hats? I have gloves but not bootees. I think it will be short, but I'm looking forward to it nevertheless.
lammo Apr 2018 1:31pm, 10 Apr 2018 8,789 posts	0 lammo Nutter.
The Scribbler Apr 2018 1:35pm, 10 Apr 2018 4,077 posts	0 The Scribbler Two hats definitely, and I like the neoprene ones (that make you look like you're playing water polo) for a smidge more warmth. My best tip though is a woolly/warm hat to wear afterwards even as you're getting changed. Me and Ellem braved a very cold swim in Scotland early in the year and survived quite well thanks to this tip. I'm hoping to do my first OW swim on 3 May and have been trying to acclimatise with a cold blast at the end of my shower!
1step2far Apr 2018 1:36pm, 10 Apr 2018 2,862 posts	0 1step2far Oh Linds. I have this early (my fb timeline feed reminded me of such yesterday) but never when its still been this cold! Good luck!
ferret Apr 2018 2:10pm, 10 Apr 2018 2,631 posts	0 ferret Have fun the weather forecast is encouraging, you’ve made me think about going in. Only thinking though 😂
LindsD Apr 2018 2:25pm, 10 Apr 2018 22,546 posts	0 LindsD Thanks. That's a great woolly hat tip. I've done the Bog of Doom in Jan many times!
LazyDaisy Apr 2018 7:08pm, 10 Apr 2018 22,072 posts	0 LazyDaisy Good luck Linds. Lake 32 has now hit double figures (10.8* on Sunday) so my 'must get back in' point of 12* is imminent I shall be wearing two hats (swimcaps, not neoprene), my gloves and boots. I wll concentrate on a lot of acclimatising (jumping up and down, floating about) and may barely swim for than a few metres. I recall my first-ever OW swim, where I ridiculously expected to swim a 400m time trial with virtually no time acclimatising before the starting hooter. It was a complete disaster and could easily have put me off for life.
Little Nemo Apr 2018 9:10am, 11 Apr 2018 8,469 posts	0 Little Nemo You are very brave! If you've got room a t-shirt underneath will help. Have a hot drink asap afterwards as well. Good luck
Angus Clydesdale Apr 2018 9:40am, 11 Apr 2018 13,470 posts	0 Angus Clydesdale 8 degrees?! My bath water is cooler than that.