Hi Rach. Maybe I'm in the minority here but I kind of like the grey gloom we're getting at the moment, even more so when it's misty and the sea merges into the sky. At least the sea's calm, the weather's dry and the paths aren't too muddy. Not that I'm wishing away the sunshine , I look forward to the subtle changes in the weather that herald the arrival of spring. Lower Test looking particularly bleat at the mo.
I thought the Lower Test was looking beautiful and eery when I drove of over the Redbridge causeway on my way to work the other morning. It was foggy and otherworldly. I haven't been there for a while, so maybe in the next few weeks I'll hop in there 🏊😃
Tried for the very first time 2st week in Jan, just in Skins, nothing else. (Looe)Loved it, lasted about 7 mins. Now swim almost everyday in Downderry, all be it with boots gloves and full wetsuit. So invigorating .
Get in with whatever it takes to feel comfortable and never feel the need to explain your choice. I like to swim skins or in full neoprene, just being in the water is super! Welcome to the OS gang! 🏊😃
Hi Jill, thanks for sharing this great idea of a towel-mitten. I have some of those for dusting… and I much prefer swimming to dusting so I am going to wash them and put them in my swim kit. What a fab idea!! I’m from the wilderness of the PNW (🇨🇦) where my local lakes will continue to be covered in ice and snow until mid-April. I will have my swim towel-mittens and my ice-busting tools ready to go by April. Thanks for this great tip and have an awesome day!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary☃️
I’m looking forward to my first swim… of 2022… here in the icy lakes of the PNW 🇨🇦. I’m shooing for April and I’ve got my ice-busting tools ready to go. The entire month of December was cold… 20c below or colder everyday… so, as you can imagine, there is going to be some hella-thick ice to bust on that first dip. Jill Smith mentioned below in the comments a towel-mitt… I have some of those for dusting, and since I much prefer swimming to dusting I think I will wash them and put them in my swim kit. This was a great video today Rachel. You know me… I always love seeing those charming beaches in your area. Thanks and have a great day!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary💕☃️
I'm glad you enjoyed the scenery Mary. I'd be interested to see how thick the ice is where you are. Does the ice pull away from the edge of the lake and freeze vertically, like a small ice wall with a gap to the bank? 🏊😃
@@EverydayAthleteRach It’s been a very cold winter, particularly in December and early January when temperatures did not rise above -20c. It was -37c on Christmas Day. As you can imagine this results in very thick ice on the local lakes. In early December (before the snow accumulated) one could drive a vehicle out onto the lake ice without issue, but tbh… that’s not really my cup of tea. To my mind, vehicles and lakes don’t mix, but some people get a thrill out of it. (The lakes in town have a boat ramp so one can drive out onto the lake. Out here where I live, the lakes have rugged shorelines with no vehicle access.) Ice does not build up vertically at the shore, but since the shoreline is where the ice is the thinnest, this is where the ice separates from the land. This separation is not visible at all because there is a thick blanket of snow covering everything. What happens, as Spring approaches and temperatures rise, is that the ice is a great big massive disc floating on top of the lake, but it is also very heavy. So it pushes down on the surface of the water and then it creates a condition known as “overflow” which is when water seeps up around the edge or around blow down etc (the overflow is not visible because it is under the snow). Overflow results in a layer of slushy wet snow which sits on top of the ice and below the top cover of dry snow. One has to be careful if they were to go snowshoeing, ice fishing, X-C skiing, etc because the wet slushy snow can stick to the showshoes or skis etc and then they act like heavy frozen weights on your feet. Overflow also is a problem for snow machines (ski doos) but we don’t take our snow machine out on the lake if there is overflow. We like to play it safe. This is a long answer… aren’t you glad you asked this question? Haha 🤣!! Thanks for your interest… we’re still frozen, and we will be for while. I’m dreaming of April. 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary☃️🏊♀️
@@marycharlebois6627 wow that!/ really interesting. I’ve seen the water freeze and separate from the land in the French Alps, there wasn’t ‘overflow’ on the small lake I looked at but could have been on the larger one. Super interesting!
Spot on. Wish I could have watched this before my first winter swim. In my second winter of cold water swimming, I find that for me the water temperature is less off putting than the cold air in combination with grey and gloomy weather. Cold and sunny days are very inspiring to actually get in and even more so the first warm days of spring when the water may still be below or around 5°C. But the sun makes warming up after the swim a lot more pleasant.
It is a bit more of an effort to push yourself on a gloomy day, but so long as you stay out of the wind, it's always worth it. Knowing it could be a clear morning has me leaping out of bed before dawn to get down to the water though! 🏊😃
Great video to induct those who want to try a first swim.I remember my first outdoor swim years ago. I remember the breathing was the thing I had to overcome. Literally cold takes your breath away. I learned I needed to get in slowly. That worked and I've never looked back!
Thanks for making a video for beginners, Rachel. I'm a keen river swimmer in summer but have never had the courage to try it in really cold water. I admit, I've found some of your more "advanced" videos on this (what kit you need, how long to stay in etc) a bit daunting. (Stay in??? I don't think I could even GET in!!) This is really helpful and encouraging.
I've only just found your channel. However, after a year since moving to the coast & desperately wanting to start open water swimming (but lacking in confidence at the thought of being watch by others on the shoreline) your videos have inspired me to take the plunge! I'm buying gloves & booties tomorrow & determined to swap my cold showers for the open water. Thank you for a superb channel.
Welcome to the club Gina! I'm so excited that you're ready to give it a go. The water will start warming up from now, so you've picked a great time to start. Just get in gently and do stay in for more than a couple of minutes the first time, gradually increasing your time. With swimsuit, booties and gloves I tend to stay in for no more than 10 mins while the water is less than 10ºC. Enjoy - let me know how you get on!
As someone recently new to this, my top tip would be to ensure you are warm beforehand ... and have somewhere warm to go afterwards. If you are feeling cold before you get in, it isn't going to happen!
Great video, definitely the key thing in winter is not to stay in too long. I don’t even do much actual swimming when I’m in in the winter, I just bob about and enjoy the feeling- hot drink and a bit of cake afterwards is also a great incentive!
What a great video to get folks ready for their first Sea Dip. I have been doing this for about 4 months now. I live on an island off the coast of Washington State USA. I swim in the Salish Sea. I love cold seawater. It is so buoyant. Thanks for sharing your information.
Rachel you motivated me, I am sure many more swimmers will be influenced by your lovely encouraging enthusiasm for cold water swimming. I swam today in Portland Harbour in Dorset. It was such a calm and beautiful experience.
Great video again Rachel, we've been open water swimming about 14 months now, and love it. i think the most important thing is the time in the water, especially this time of year, we went on saturday and it was just around 6 degrees. we stayed in for half an hour, which felt just about right as we could feel the cold starting to bite.
Blimey, you are staying in along while there, the more we swim, the less our body gives us signs it is cooling. So it is possible to stay in and not feel your core temperature dropping. This is why I only stay in for around 10 mins in winter, unless I'm wearing all the neoprene possible. Stay safe 🏊😃
Thanks for this! I live 5 minutes from the beach and while I'm doing daily cold showers I can't bring myself to get into the sea yet, but this has definitely given me some motivation!
Blimey Mark, cold showers are a step too far for me. They are awful! If you can do that, you can float in waist deep-water for a moment or two. It would be great to hear what you think of your first dip... 🏊😃
Brurr! Nature's waters are divine compared to cold showers!! Just wear a pair of wetsuit socks & gloves on and go swimming; the feel-good factor is 10x a cold shower. Enjoy!
Great advice as always . Have met many people who just need a bit of encouragement from someone like you. Try to encourage myself concentrate by saying this is not a competition it’s enjoyment.
Wonderful, feeling envious..I am away at work at the moment so can't go and swim in the sea. Only been cold water swimming for the last six months but loving it. Thank you for the vid.
Sorry to hear you're away from the water, but she'll be ready and waiting when you get back! That'll be a short sharp shock to the system before the smiles and giggles! 🏊😃
Thanks for watching. You’ll love it. The water is at its coldest in Feb/March in the UK and starts warming up to a peak around Aug/Sept. So you have a big window of opportunity when you are ready. I hope your recovery is speedy and straightforward. Enjoy the water - you could practice the post-swim treat of warm drink and snack and water gazing in the meantime 👀💦☕️🍰😋
Perfect video Rach! I would definitely recommend that people remember to watch the time then spend in as it is too easy to want to push to far too soon; acclimatizing is the real key to longer term enjoyment IMHO. The post swim endorphin rush is rather wonderful too :-)
I swam open water 40 years ago, my current coach is trying to tempt me back in!! Not very tempted yet, but your video was helpful... maybe in the warmer months with a wetsuit!
just starting to watch it , you have great experiences , be good to have a first swimmer with you , to share this and with your guidance as a suggestion :)
I agree that it would be nice to document someone's first swim. However, it is a personal thing, and I wouldn't want to distract from the experience by filming someone. Maybe an opportunity will arise in the future..🏊😃
Hi Rachel, Lovely video. May I ask you if you normally warming up before going in to cold water ? I found that short run before helps me a lot . Thanks
Hi Mr B, I don’t do anything special other than driving to my swim spot in a warm car and wearing warm clothes beforehand. It’s having everything ready for when I get out and not staying in too long which makes the difference for me. 🏊♀️😀
Hi just wondering what is a safe time to stay in. Can you swim doing "laps" for 10 minutes for example. Or shorter or longer? What sort of temperature is the water? I'm in Australia but would like to try cold water swimming. Kind regards Kirsten
Occasionally I come across the odd jellyfish, but I usually have an inkling that they are there. I don't think I've ever spotted a crab whilst I've been swimming. You'd have to look really hard to spot one. More likely in areas with rocky and sandy seabed, it's mostly pebbles and mud where I am 🏊😃
Great little video. I'm looking to do my first open water swim soon, just looking for an appropriate venue so I can feel safe. I live in the heart of the midlands so unfortunately not quite so easy without a beach around. Do you ever use a wetsuit? Would you recommend at all for newbies or does it not really make much difference to the initial cold water shock?
Have you been to Matlock Bath, I loved the outdoor pool there. There are a few venues around too. Check out Bluetonic charity which is all about accessing blue spaces and is based in the Midlands www.bluetonic.org.uk/openwaterandwildswimming
@@EverydayAthleteRach thanks for this information I will take a look! We’re south midlands I guess so a bit of a drove to Matlock from Northamptonshire, but I’m looking out for places. Hoping my first dip will be at The Falcon Hotel lake which is a relatively new life guarded open lake. Beautiful countryside too, looks amazing. 😍
@@letsramblewithrebecca7071 I’ve swum at Stoney Stratford in the River Great Ouse. There’s lots of swimming between there and Bedford. Check out the flOUSEies on Facebook and N.A.S.A. Wild Swimmers Northampton and Surrounding Areas for ideas on where to swim
I went for my first ever outdoor swim yesterday and it was REALLY hard! Think I managed about a minute once I was finally in. I'm definitely gonna get some sort of neoprene vest just to take the edge off until I'm more used to it. Any suggestions? Would like to get a sleeveless one just to cover the torso.
Hi Kaja well done on getting in in the winter. I haven’t tried a neoprene vest, but I reckon it would make a huge difference. Did you have gloves and booties on? They make a massive difference.
I tried to start sea swimming in Sept 2020, managed one swim then no more. Last year I started in October - and have kept going every month. It's getting very hard now. Last week's was the coldest yet with quite a stiff northerly breeze. Really helps having a swim buddy to go with. I don't think either of us would be doing this otherwise? I really must get a Dryrobe soon though, a towel round the waist doesn't cut it now! The cold bath I tried one night wasn't my best idea either - I'm definitely no Wim Hof!
Hi Simon, I'm with you on the cold water at home being a bad idea - I find a cold shower unbearable. Try to pick a swimspot where you will be out of the wind, I check out windy.com to see which way and how strong the wind will be blowing where I'm thinking of going and work out my location from there. It makes all the difference in the winter. There are loads of changing robes out there to suit every budget - I've tried out uite a few of them for comparison videos on my channel. Could be worth a look at the changing robe playlist if you're on the look out for one. 🏊😃
@@EverydayAthleteRach glad it's not just me then! I can't even face cold showers at the moment, really feeling the cold. I've not been in the sea since 20 January now, don't know where the time goes?. It was windy then and very cold. Not sure if I can manage it again which is a shame, unless my swim buddy pushes me to get in in the next few days. She'll only go in when it's sunny though which can be a problem! I still haven't got a dryrobe either.
wonderful and inspiring! Thank you 🏊♀️🌊
I really enjoyed this and your lovely calm manner. Thank you 👏👏👏😀
You’re welcome 😊 It's nice ot hear you enjoyed it 🏊😃
Fab video Rachel! Xx
Glad you liked it!!
Hi Rach. Maybe I'm in the minority here but I kind of like the grey gloom we're getting at the moment, even more so when it's misty and the sea merges into the sky. At least the sea's calm, the weather's dry and the paths aren't too muddy. Not that I'm wishing away the sunshine , I look forward to the subtle changes in the weather that herald the arrival of spring. Lower Test looking particularly bleat at the mo.
I thought the Lower Test was looking beautiful and eery when I drove of over the Redbridge causeway on my way to work the other morning. It was foggy and otherworldly. I haven't been there for a while, so maybe in the next few weeks I'll hop in there 🏊😃
Tried for the very first time 2st week in Jan, just in Skins, nothing else. (Looe)Loved it, lasted about 7 mins. Now swim almost everyday in Downderry, all be it with boots gloves and full wetsuit. So invigorating .
Get in with whatever it takes to feel comfortable and never feel the need to explain your choice. I like to swim skins or in full neoprene, just being in the water is super! Welcome to the OS gang! 🏊😃
I really enjoy your videos your so inspirational. Thank you xx
Thank you so much! Nice to have you along 🏊😃
Thanks for the fluffy crocks tip Rachel !....that's the solution where i was looking for :)
They are absolutely brilliant! Not great on uneven gound though as your foot sloshes around a bit.
Must get fluffy crocs! 🤩
They are brilliant for short walks in to the swim spot. Also good for taking the bins out!
Morning Rachel, my friend gave me a towelling mitten and it’s really handy to give yourself a quick rub down when you get out the water
I like the compact sound of that Jill, what a thoughtful friend 😍🏊😃
Hi Jill, thanks for sharing this great idea of a towel-mitten. I have some of those for dusting… and I much prefer swimming to dusting so I am going to wash them and put them in my swim kit. What a fab idea!! I’m from the wilderness of the PNW (🇨🇦) where my local lakes will continue to be covered in ice and snow until mid-April. I will have my swim towel-mittens and my ice-busting tools ready to go by April. Thanks for this great tip and have an awesome day!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary☃️
I’m looking forward to my first swim… of 2022… here in the icy lakes of the PNW 🇨🇦. I’m shooing for April and I’ve got my ice-busting tools ready to go. The entire month of December was cold… 20c below or colder everyday… so, as you can imagine, there is going to be some hella-thick ice to bust on that first dip. Jill Smith mentioned below in the comments a towel-mitt… I have some of those for dusting, and since I much prefer swimming to dusting I think I will wash them and put them in my swim kit. This was a great video today Rachel. You know me… I always love seeing those charming beaches in your area. Thanks and have a great day!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary💕☃️
I'm glad you enjoyed the scenery Mary. I'd be interested to see how thick the ice is where you are. Does the ice pull away from the edge of the lake and freeze vertically, like a small ice wall with a gap to the bank? 🏊😃
@@EverydayAthleteRach It’s been a very cold winter, particularly in December and early January when temperatures did not rise above -20c. It was -37c on Christmas Day. As you can imagine this results in very thick ice on the local lakes. In early December (before the snow accumulated) one could drive a vehicle out onto the lake ice without issue, but tbh… that’s not really my cup of tea. To my mind, vehicles and lakes don’t mix, but some people get a thrill out of it. (The lakes in town have a boat ramp so one can drive out onto the lake. Out here where I live, the lakes have rugged shorelines with no vehicle access.) Ice does not build up vertically at the shore, but since the shoreline is where the ice is the thinnest, this is where the ice separates from the land. This separation is not visible at all because there is a thick blanket of snow covering everything. What happens, as Spring approaches and temperatures rise, is that the ice is a great big massive disc floating on top of the lake, but it is also very heavy. So it pushes down on the surface of the water and then it creates a condition known as “overflow” which is when water seeps up around the edge or around blow down etc (the overflow is not visible because it is under the snow). Overflow results in a layer of slushy wet snow which sits on top of the ice and below the top cover of dry snow. One has to be careful if they were to go snowshoeing, ice fishing, X-C skiing, etc because the wet slushy snow can stick to the showshoes or skis etc and then they act like heavy frozen weights on your feet. Overflow also is a problem for snow machines (ski doos) but we don’t take our snow machine out on the lake if there is overflow. We like to play it safe. This is a long answer… aren’t you glad you asked this question? Haha 🤣!! Thanks for your interest… we’re still frozen, and we will be for while. I’m dreaming of April. 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary☃️🏊♀️
@@marycharlebois6627 wow that!/ really interesting. I’ve seen the water freeze and separate from the land in the French Alps, there wasn’t ‘overflow’ on the small lake I looked at but could have been on the larger one. Super interesting!
Spot on. Wish I could have watched this before my first winter swim.
In my second winter of cold water swimming, I find that for me the water temperature is less off putting than the cold air in combination with grey and gloomy weather. Cold and sunny days are very inspiring to actually get in and even more so the first warm days of spring when the water may still be below or around 5°C. But the sun makes warming up after the swim a lot more pleasant.
So true. I don’t mind the cold if the sun is shining and am raring to get in but it’s not very inviting when it’s cold, grey and damp.
@@lucysmith594 Glad to hear I'm not alone with this attitude.😉 This winter feels like the greyest in four years.
It is a bit more of an effort to push yourself on a gloomy day, but so long as you stay out of the wind, it's always worth it. Knowing it could be a clear morning has me leaping out of bed before dawn to get down to the water though! 🏊😃
@@EverydayAthleteRach Yes, it is definitely always worth it.😀🏊♀
Great video to induct those who want to try a first swim.I remember my first outdoor swim years ago. I remember the breathing was the thing I had to overcome. Literally cold takes your breath away. I learned I needed to get in slowly. That worked and I've never looked back!
Getting in slowly is the key for me too. Have a great week! 🏊😃
Thank you rachael! I’m new to this but your reassuring / calm demeanour gives me confidence that I can do this!
You can do it! Good luck Hannah, enjoy the water 🏊😃
Thanks for making a video for beginners, Rachel. I'm a keen river swimmer in summer but have never had the courage to try it in really cold water. I admit, I've found some of your more "advanced" videos on this (what kit you need, how long to stay in etc) a bit daunting. (Stay in??? I don't think I could even GET in!!) This is really helpful and encouraging.
Thank you for the feedback about the more advanced videos, I hope this one has emboldened you to pop your toes in the water for a little paddle 🏊😃
Thank you Rachael. Ive finally gone in for a quickie. Looking forward to the next one and not so scared now.
BRILLIANT Susan! I'm thrilled you managed your first go. Enjoy the next one 🏊😃
Brilliant video, thank you! 😁
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 🏊😃
I've only just found your channel. However, after a year since moving to the coast & desperately wanting to start open water swimming (but lacking in confidence at the thought of being watch by others on the shoreline) your videos have inspired me to take the plunge! I'm buying gloves & booties tomorrow & determined to swap my cold showers for the open water. Thank you for a superb channel.
Welcome to the club Gina! I'm so excited that you're ready to give it a go. The water will start warming up from now, so you've picked a great time to start. Just get in gently and do stay in for more than a couple of minutes the first time, gradually increasing your time. With swimsuit, booties and gloves I tend to stay in for no more than 10 mins while the water is less than 10ºC. Enjoy - let me know how you get on!
As someone recently new to this, my top tip would be to ensure you are warm beforehand ... and have somewhere warm to go afterwards. If you are feeling cold before you get in, it isn't going to happen!
Sometimes I have a longish walk beforehand then I’m warmed up & actually looking forward to getting in!
Like @LucySmith I like to have a little stroll to the swim, then I try to do a litterpick to give any shivers time to go away before I drive. 🏊😃
Great video, definitely the key thing in winter is not to stay in too long. I don’t even do much actual swimming when I’m in in the winter, I just bob about and enjoy the feeling- hot drink and a bit of cake afterwards is also a great incentive!
What a great video to get folks ready for their first Sea Dip. I have been doing this for about 4 months now. I live on an island off the coast of Washington State USA. I swim in the Salish Sea. I love cold seawater. It is so buoyant. Thanks for sharing your information.
Hi Rebecca, great to hear from you. I love swimming in saltwater for the high buoyancy and support it offers 🏊😃
Your so brave Rachel!
No bravery involved, I just love it! 🏊😃
Another amazing video Rachel! Perfect for all those interested in taking the plunge. Ill be sending this to so many of my friends xx thankyou
Thanks Amy, I hope it emboldens someone to give it a little go and just see if they like it 🏊😃
Rachel you motivated me, I am sure many more swimmers will be influenced by your lovely encouraging enthusiasm for cold water swimming. I swam today in Portland Harbour in Dorset. It was such a calm and beautiful experience.
I bet it was beautiful there, there's always somewhere out of the wind to enjoy the water. There's a fair bit of wildlife around too, I've heard 🏊😃
Great video again Rachel, we've been open water swimming about 14 months now, and love it. i think the most important thing is the time in the water, especially this time of year, we went on saturday and it was just around 6 degrees. we stayed in for half an hour, which felt just about right as we could feel the cold starting to bite.
Blimey, you are staying in along while there, the more we swim, the less our body gives us signs it is cooling. So it is possible to stay in and not feel your core temperature dropping. This is why I only stay in for around 10 mins in winter, unless I'm wearing all the neoprene possible. Stay safe 🏊😃
Thanks for this! I live 5 minutes from the beach and while I'm doing daily cold showers I can't bring myself to get into the sea yet, but this has definitely given me some motivation!
The sea is so much easier than cold showers, Mark - go for it!
@@claireaston151 It's just the public bit that stresses me out haha! I live in Hove and it's always so busy - I'm definitely gonna do it though!
Claire is right. I sea swim every morning but No Way can I do cold showers!
Blimey Mark, cold showers are a step too far for me. They are awful! If you can do that, you can float in waist deep-water for a moment or two. It would be great to hear what you think of your first dip... 🏊😃
Brurr! Nature's waters are divine compared to cold showers!! Just wear a pair of wetsuit socks & gloves on and go swimming; the feel-good factor is 10x a cold shower. Enjoy!
Great advice as always . Have met many people who just need a bit of encouragement from someone like you. Try to encourage myself concentrate by saying this is not a competition it’s enjoyment.
You're so right Barbara, it's not a competition, although with some of the detail that gets posted, it can sometime feel like one. 🏊😃
Wonderful, feeling envious..I am away at work at the moment so can't go and swim in the sea. Only been cold water swimming for the last six months but loving it. Thank you for the vid.
Sorry to hear you're away from the water, but she'll be ready and waiting when you get back! That'll be a short sharp shock to the system before the smiles and giggles! 🏊😃
Going to be doing this in the summer - I am currently recovering from surgery hence wait and I hear summer is better - love this video thanks x
Thanks for watching. You’ll love it. The water is at its coldest in Feb/March in the UK and starts warming up to a peak around Aug/Sept. So you have a big window of opportunity when you are ready. I hope your recovery is speedy and straightforward. Enjoy the water - you could practice the post-swim treat of warm drink and snack and water gazing in the meantime 👀💦☕️🍰😋
Great advice as usual Rachel. Cover feet, hands and head and ready to go! Definitely better when the sun makes an appearance.🥶🥶
I do love a sunrise, even on a cloudy day, if I get there at the right time I get to see the only bit of sunshine for the day. What a treat!
Perfect video Rach! I would definitely recommend that people remember to watch the time then spend in as it is too easy to want to push to far too soon; acclimatizing is the real key to longer term enjoyment IMHO. The post swim endorphin rush is rather wonderful too :-)
Thank you! I'm so please you enjoyed it. I don't really get a post swim rush, I just feel glowy and chuffed with myself! 🏊😃
I swam open water 40 years ago, my current coach is trying to tempt me back in!! Not very tempted yet, but your video was helpful... maybe in the warmer months with a wetsuit!
You’ll get on eventually- you won’t be able to resist 🏊♀️😀
just starting to watch it , you have great experiences , be good to have a first swimmer with you , to share this and with your guidance as a suggestion :)
I agree that it would be nice to document someone's first swim. However, it is a personal thing, and I wouldn't want to distract from the experience by filming someone. Maybe an opportunity will arise in the future..🏊😃
Hi Rachel,
Lovely video. May I ask you if you normally warming up before going in to cold water ? I found that short run before helps me a lot . Thanks
Hi Mr B, I don’t do anything special other than driving to my swim spot in a warm car and wearing warm clothes beforehand. It’s having everything ready for when I get out and not staying in too long which makes the difference for me. 🏊♀️😀
@@EverydayAthleteRach Thank you Rachel
Hi just wondering what is a safe time to stay in. Can you swim doing "laps" for 10 minutes for example. Or shorter or longer? What sort of temperature is the water? I'm in Australia but would like to try cold water swimming. Kind regards Kirsten
In the winter I tend to stay in for less than 10 minutes, unless I'm in a wetsuit, gloves, booties and a neoprene hood, then I can stay in longer. 🏊😃
Do you ever come across any crabs or jelly fish Rachel .x
Occasionally I come across the odd jellyfish, but I usually have an inkling that they are there. I don't think I've ever spotted a crab whilst I've been swimming. You'd have to look really hard to spot one. More likely in areas with rocky and sandy seabed, it's mostly pebbles and mud where I am 🏊😃
Great little video. I'm looking to do my first open water swim soon, just looking for an appropriate venue so I can feel safe. I live in the heart of the midlands so unfortunately not quite so easy without a beach around. Do you ever use a wetsuit? Would you recommend at all for newbies or does it not really make much difference to the initial cold water shock?
Have you been to Matlock Bath, I loved the outdoor pool there. There are a few venues around too. Check out Bluetonic charity which is all about accessing blue spaces and is based in the Midlands www.bluetonic.org.uk/openwaterandwildswimming
@@EverydayAthleteRach thanks for this information I will take a look! We’re south midlands I guess so a bit of a drove to Matlock from Northamptonshire, but I’m looking out for places. Hoping my first dip will be at The Falcon Hotel lake which is a relatively new life guarded open lake. Beautiful countryside too, looks amazing. 😍
@@letsramblewithrebecca7071 I’ve swum at Stoney Stratford in the River Great Ouse. There’s lots of swimming between there and Bedford. Check out the flOUSEies on Facebook and N.A.S.A. Wild Swimmers Northampton and Surrounding Areas for ideas on where to swim
I went for my first ever outdoor swim yesterday and it was REALLY hard! Think I managed about a minute once I was finally in. I'm definitely gonna get some sort of neoprene vest just to take the edge off until I'm more used to it. Any suggestions? Would like to get a sleeveless one just to cover the torso.
Hi Kaja well done on getting in in the winter. I haven’t tried a neoprene vest, but I reckon it would make a huge difference. Did you have gloves and booties on? They make a massive difference.
I tried to start sea swimming in Sept 2020, managed one swim then no more. Last year I started in October - and have kept going every month. It's getting very hard now. Last week's was the coldest yet with quite a stiff northerly breeze. Really helps having a swim buddy to go with. I don't think either of us would be doing this otherwise? I really must get a Dryrobe soon though, a towel round the waist doesn't cut it now! The cold bath I tried one night wasn't my best idea either - I'm definitely no Wim Hof!
Hi Simon, I'm with you on the cold water at home being a bad idea - I find a cold shower unbearable. Try to pick a swimspot where you will be out of the wind, I check out windy.com to see which way and how strong the wind will be blowing where I'm thinking of going and work out my location from there. It makes all the difference in the winter. There are loads of changing robes out there to suit every budget - I've tried out uite a few of them for comparison videos on my channel. Could be worth a look at the changing robe playlist if you're on the look out for one. 🏊😃
@@EverydayAthleteRach glad it's not just me then! I can't even face cold showers at the moment, really feeling the cold. I've not been in the sea since 20 January now, don't know where the time goes?. It was windy then and very cold. Not sure if I can manage it again which is a shame, unless my swim buddy pushes me to get in in the next few days. She'll only go in when it's sunny though which can be a problem! I still haven't got a dryrobe either.
@@simonc61 it doesn’t need to be sunny but it does need to be not windy. Just take it easy and bob about for a minute or two then get out.