How to Sea Swim in Winter Wearing a Cossie (And Not Die)
It's undeniable that the warmest way to swim in the sea is to wear is to wear a wetsuit or drysuit. However, many people enjoy the sensations that you miss out on when wearing a suit, e.g. the feel of the water against the skin, the complete awareness of surroundings and the refreshingly cool temperature. Some people dislike the restrictive feel of wetsuits and find them cumbersome to use and look after.
For many, dipping in the sea all year around without a wetsuit is an enjoyable challenge that keeps us fit.
Cold water swimming boosts the immune system, improves circulation, burns calories, increases the metabolic rate, fends off diabetes and has many other health boosting properties. However, large waves, strong currents and hypothermia can be life threatening, so to enjoy the benefits, you need to take extra care not to die.
1. Love Open Water Swimming
There is absolutely no point in trying to swim all year around unless you absolutely love it. People's bodies react differently, with some people being comfortable in very cold water and others shivering in lukewarm water. If submerging in cold water feels like torture, consider a different hobby.
2. Start Early
If you decide to try winter swimming for the first time in February, the chances are that you will find it excessively cold and not want to do it again. If, however, you start in September when the sea is at its warmest, then go in once every two-to-three days until winter hits, you will acclimatise to the water temperature.
3. Don't Do it Alone
Almost every website on this subject tells you never to swim without other people. However, walking into a bar and asking, "Who wants to come in the sea with me tomorrow?" often results in a stony silence. If you must go swimming on your own, choose a busy beach. Dog beaches and spots with cafes are generally well attended even in the colder months.
4. Choose Your Swimming Costume Wisely
It is possible to buy thermal swimming costumes. These protect your internal organs from the cold without restricting the movement of your arms and legs. They also prevent that 'yikes' moment when you first get in, because although water does seep into the costume, it doesn't happen right away. I like Cressi's neoprene thermal swimsuit so much that I own three. I've yet to find a comparable item for men.
5. Get Visible
Fluorescent colours will not only help rescuers spot you if you get into difficulty, but will also help prevent boats from hitting you. Surfers, jet skiers and powerboat drivers do not always expect to see swimmer in winter. By far the best way to be seen is to get a tow float from somewhere like Chill Swim. These are highly visible. However, I have found that my tow float gets in the way during some strokes like backstroke. They are also unsuitable for ducking under waves because they stay on the surface and drag you backwards.
Another option is to buy a fluorescent snood and wear it around your neck. When I've got mine on, I never even notice that I'm wearing it. However, my friends have been able to spot me from their cars whilst driving along the seafront.
6. Understand Waves
If a wave hits you, it is possible that you will get plunged under the water. You will almost certainly float to the surface as long as you don't panic, but it can be hard not to panic when you lose control to the ocean.
The best protection against big waves is to duck underneath them. The water beneath a wave is much calmer than the wave hurtling towards you. If you find it difficult to duck under water then consider what it is that's stopping you.
Is it that you find getting your head wet painful? In which case consider investing in a hood.
Is it that water makes your eyes sting? If so, consider acquiring some goggles. (If you've found goggles uncomfortable in the past, try the sort that are like masks - they sit on your forehead and cheeks rather than pressing against the delicate eye area.)
Does having your head underwater scare you? If so, go to a swimming pool and practice submerging until you are confident. Then gradually introduce yourself to ducking under during a calm, summer day.
There are three main types of wave, which you can find out about at nidirect.
The safest for swimming are spilling waves - the white ones that tend to push forward over flat sand.
Dumping waves are often found where the shore is steeply shelving; these can literally dump you down on the sand or rocks below and are therefore dangerous. Sometimes, once you get past one tier of dumping waves, the water is safe for swimming. If a wave is dumping on the shore, there will be no water for you to duck into. Instead, when the wave is coming, turn sideways and stand with your feet apart, as if standing on a surfboard - this gives you he greatest chance of staying upright when the wave hits.
Surging waves are found where water is very deep; they can knock you under and drag you out to sea. It's best to avoid them altogether.
7. Choose Your Beach Wisely
The swimming conditions are greatly affected by the wind speed and direction. If the wind speed is high, look for a sheltered beach, i.e. one that faces away from the direction the wind is coming from.
Local knowledge is key. You can't always tell which beaches will have strong currents without experience. Don't always trust guidebooks. I once got caught in a current after following instructions in a guidebook at a spot where the locals knew never to swim. As a general rule, avoid swimming near islands.
8. Learn How to Survive a Rip Current
Rip currents can carry you out to sea as speeds faster than the fastest swimmer in the world. However, they are unlikely to pull you under water. So as long as you know what to do, you should be fine. Rip currents occur where there is a rush of water flowing out to sea. The water has to come in again somewhere. In summer, it is safe to remain in a rip until it stops, usually 50-100 yards off shore. However, in winter, you will get cold quickly so it is important to get out of the rip as soon as possible. Alert somebody on the beach that you are in difficulty, then swim at ninety degrees to the shore until you find a patch of still water, or, better still, water that will bring you back in.
9. Look After Your Ears
Seawater can cause ear infections. To avoid this, you could wear earplugs. I've found my Aqua Sphere Mens Aqua Skin Thermal Hood has been helpful in keeping water out of my ears. (Yes, I did by the man's version - the women's was too tight around my neck.)
10. Swim Parallel to the Shore
Swim just far enough out to avoid the waves, or so that you're not touching the bottom when you stroke, then swim in lines parallel to the beach. Going out farther is unnecessary and will make getting back to the shore much harder should you get into difficulty.
11. Swim Different Strokes
Different sea conditions call for different strokes. Many people prefer crawl or breaststroke, but if the wind is spraying the surface of the water in your face, you might like to try backstroke. Sidestroke can help cope with waves hitting you sideways.
12. Know Your Limits
Keep track of how long you can stay in the water using landmarks or by counting the strokes. If you are trying to increase the amount you do each day, do it little by little.
13. Warm Up Fast
It is crucial that you warm up quickly after swimming. Consider buying a towel poncho. Robies, Dryrobes, HydroRobes ... they're all more or less the same thing - and they're brilliant! You get out of the water and the first thing you do is pop one of these over your head and you instantly begin to warm up. You get changed inside them, so there's no need to expose your body to the air temperature and wind chill. My favourite kind is the DryRobe with sleeves.
Take a flask of tea to the beach or swim somewhere that serves coffee. That way, you'll warm up quickly and feel much more like swimming again.
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