|
Apr 2018
9:50am, 11 Apr 2018
16,600 posts
|
TRO Toddslayer
8 degrees is tough but managable. I've been down to 5 deg over winter and that stung and really did not want to go lower than that. Unless you want the swim to be really short I'd suggest:
- neoprene booties/socks
- neoprene gloves (there's some quite thin pairs that still give you 'feel' for the water but some protection
- rash vest under wetsuit
- neoprene hat/hood.
- Vaseline on the exposed part of your face.
Once in, and the exposed bits have got past the 'so cold it's hurty' stage it's great!
Worst bit is getting changed after - hands etc don't work too well and you can end up fumbling away for minutes over things that should take seconds, all the while getting colder....dry robe is the 'in' thing, but I've got a couple of old sleeping bags I don't really use any more and unzipped they make ideal quasi dry robes to get changed under afterwards.
As stated, hot drink straight after, lots of warm food and possible hot bath when you're back home if the body core is still cool. You will also discover how high your car heater goes on the drive back 
Enjoy....
|
|
Apr 2018
10:00am, 11 Apr 2018
2,615 posts
|
Sweetie
Morning all, I was looking forward to getting back to OW swimming in the next couple of weeks but notices have gone up around my preferred swimming lake saying that "It has been contaminated by toxic algae which are potentially harmful to health"
I would have thought it was a bit early / cold for algae so I wonder if they are just trying to put off swimmers generally?
Debating taking life into my own hands and going for a dip anyway! Any advice from more experienced OW swimmers appreciated!
|
|
Apr 2018
11:44am, 16 Apr 2018
2,635 posts
|
Sweetie
Blimey, I killed the thread!
Decided against swimming in the lake for the time being, my tri group are going this evening, despite the warnings, so I'll see how many of them survive!
|
|
Apr 2018
12:56pm, 16 Apr 2018
22,169 posts
|
LazyDaisy
Oh I was hoping someone would answer Sweetie! I'd be put off by signs like that. Let us know how your tri-club get on!
|
|
Apr 2018
1:54pm, 16 Apr 2018
22,638 posts
|
LindsD
I was hoping someone else would answer, too
|
|
Apr 2018
2:12pm, 16 Apr 2018
2,659 posts
|
ferret
I was too.
|
|
Apr 2018
2:19pm, 16 Apr 2018
2,636 posts
|
Sweetie
The signs are definitely off-putting LD, I think the risk is minimal but, based on a quick internet search, if you are one of the unlucky minority, the effects can be pretty serious - its just not worth the risk. Frustrating though as there isn't anywhere else locally *sigh*
Did you head out to the lake this weekend Linds? How was it? (I shall have to swim vicariously for the time being!)
|
|
Apr 2018
2:20pm, 16 Apr 2018
22,640 posts
|
LindsD
I did. I'll paste in the entry from my training log.
|
|
Apr 2018
2:21pm, 16 Apr 2018
22,641 posts
|
LindsD
Four small loops and a modified large one. Reckon about 1.2km. Started the watch early and didn't stop it when chatting/waiting.
V cold! I wore 2 x hats, 2 x buffs, tech top under wetsuit, gloves. They only had surfing wetsuits, so colder than I would have been. Vaseline on my face and tops of feet.
When I got out I wore vest/merino top/t shirt/hoodie/down jacket. Woolly hat and buff, leggings and tracksuit bottoms. Merino socks. Was OKish after a hot choc but very hungry all day and a bit nauseous.
It was fabulous
|
|
Apr 2018
2:21pm, 16 Apr 2018
2,660 posts
|
ferret
I certainly would keep dogs away
|
