Top Tips For Cold Water Swimming

As keen as we are to whip our clothes off and swim, just be aware that the water, in spring, is going to be cold. Colder than you’re used to.

Water temperature will be anywhere between 9-12 degrees in April. That’s pretty cold. Just above ‘Baltic’, into ‘Freezing’ on the cold water swimmers description scale! If you’re not used to swimming in this, it will actually take your breath away!

However, there is a reward. Swimming in these temperatures, whilst not particularly comfortable for some, is exhilarating. You will feel fantastic when you emerge from the water and are dry and warm again. This is why open water swimming is becoming such a popular sport. The buzz. The high. The warm fuzzy feeling inside. And of course, the feeling of conquering the elements.

Some of the cold water veterans have been known to do some acclimatising before going for a ‘proper swim’. This might take the form of an ice bath, a few minutes under the needles of a cold shower. Others tend to go for a short dip or two in the open water, not with any real swimming or fitness motivated reasons, but to prepare them for the training sessions ahead.

Cold water shock is real. It can take your breath away. It can leave you gasping for a few minutes. If you stay in ‘too long’ you lose feeling in fingers and toes as your body does it’s best to protect your essential organs. You will fatigue quicker when you do swim. Your muscles won’t have the same strength because you are in body protection mode. Those with heart conditions should really think twice and get some medical approval before getting in. Cold water is that serious.

Key Points

Here are some key points to consider when you do get back in the water.

🥶 Do not swim alone. Swim with others present. Or in a group environment. Perhaps an organised venue or session. Really, you want other people around to keep an eye and lend assistance if anything goes wrong.

🥶 Dress for the cold. What this looks like is up to you, but it wouldn’t be unusual to see swimmers in a wetsuit, gloves, boots, hats, ear plugs.

🥶 When you are thinking of getting into the water, walk in – don’t jump! You do not want that sudden shock! Walk in gradually.

🥶 Be aware that the cold is likely to take your breath away for the first few seconds. Get your breath under control before you start to swim.

🥶 Your wetsuit and your warm kit will help you stay relatively warm in the water, mitigating some of the effects of the cold water, and you will be able to swim properly. However, in the first few sessions, you will still get cold during the swim. Don’t wait until you’re freezing to get back out of the water. Just because you have a scheduled session of 45 minutes or an hour, doesn’t mean you have to stay in that long. Our group sessions will be up to 45 minutes long, but I will be encouraging swimmers to get out before this if I think they need to.

🥶 Don’t forget that ‘After Drop’ occurs as you get out of the water – meaning you will probably be colder 10 minutes after you get out.

🥶 When you do get out, dry and change quickly. Remove all wet stuff and put plenty of layers on. Layers are your friend. If you start to shiver, don’t worry, that’s a good thing. It is your body’s way of warming up.

🥶 A hot drink may help you warm up from the inside. So flasks at the ready!

🥶 Hot showers immediately after swimming are not a good idea. You want to warm up from the inside.

🥶 You will acclimatise. It won’t always feel as cold. As I’ve mentioned above, depending on you, your tolerance to the cold and the kit you wear, the first few sessions may need to be short until you acclimatise. Err on the side of caution and keep the first few swims short if you need to.

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Remember, this will be the coldest water you swim in all season. It gets warmer from here. Manage sessions in 12 degrees and you will soon find that 16 degrees is toasty!

There is plenty more information out there on swimming in cold water. If you have any questions or thoughts, please get in touch at bryan@triathlonswimsquad.com

Now, go get in the water and enjoy yourself!