Winter Swimming is the activity of swimming during the winter season, typically in outdoor locations (open water swimming) or in unheated pools or lidos. In colder countries, it may be synonymous with Ice Swimming, when the water is frozen over.
Would you go swimming in ice cold water (0-4 °C)* ?!
* For example: the official water temperature required for Olympic swimming competition is 25-27 °C.
Get some winter swimming tips for beginners!
Acclimatise
“The best way to prepare is to “swim down the temperatures” throughout autumn. But you can acclimatise at any time; start with just one minute twice a week and build up. You can also prepare your body with very cold, short showers” – says Andrzej Waszkewicz.
Open water can be dangerous. Only ever swim where it is safe, and make sure you can enter and exit the water quickly and easily. Never swim on your own.
Plan your swim carefully. Always go with someone else, who stays on land. Agree how long you’re going to be in the water, and how you will get in and out. When you get in, aim to be immersed within three minutes, or you will just get too cold. Splash water on your chest and face. Always get out of the water at the agreed time – or sooner. The person swimming is not the best judge of when it’s time to get out (the cold can make you confused).
Wear a swimming hat, or two, to help preserve body heat. You can also wear neoprene gloves, booties, balaclava or a wetsuit – whatever you feel comfortable with.
Don’t forget that recovery is very important. Take flip-flops and leave them at the water’s edge to protect your feet from frozen ground. If you’re wearing a wetsuit, get it off quickly after your swim, towel off and start putting on lots of layers. I usually wear my woolly hat on top. Aim to be dressed within five minutes. Drink something warm and eat something sugary. Do not have a hot shower – your body will think it’s warm and will send blood away from your vital organs!
Over-breathe. Sometimes experienced winter swimmers take two breaths instead of one, getting more oxygen to the blood.
