Tips for Cold Water Open Water Swimming

Posted by Karen on 19th May 2021

The Lakes are open and we're busy with our regular swims at Pennington Flash - Nr Manchester. (Evenings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and on Saturday Mornings). This year, it's taking a little longer for the water to warm up and currently the water at Pennington Flash is 14 degrees. Now that might be tropical for some of our hardy swimmers but for some novices and experienced swimmers alike, it's almost baltic.

So to help you take a splash in The Flash, we’ve put together some helpful tips on cold water swimming, and hopefully, this will help to kick start your season and make the most of your swim.

Cold Water - Open Water Swimming

Make sure you have a good fitting wetsuit - too loose and water will swish inside affecting warmth, buoyancy and comfort and too tight and it can restrict smooth movement. Use a swim/triathlon style suit (not a surf style suit) as these will be more flexible and keep you warmer in the water. Try out a thermal wetsuit -Discover Thermal Wetsuits or alternatively call us on 01625800802 for specialised advice for the wetsuit to you.

If the water is really cold, wear a neoprene swim cap, gloves and socks, they help to keep the extremities insulated and help reduce the impact of the cold water. At our swims, our swimmers either wear a wetsuit or ‘skins’ and everyone is so supportive of each other. We’ve got a wide choice of neoprene warm water products to make your swim more bearable Discover Neoprene Products

A coaching or open water initiation session will save many weeks of experimentation - essential for many who are moving from the pool to open water- it is like a different sport! You can book a session on line (Book a coaching session)

Alternatively, start with someone who has experience and use a swim buoy both to be seen easily in the water and to use as something to rest on if you need to. Check out our great range of tow floats and swim buoys Discover Tow Floats

Get used to putting your face or body in cold water at home - take cold showers or submerge your face in cold water.

Stay in your depth to begin with - swim close to the shore or in shallower water until you increase your confidence… know where to enter the water and better still where to exit.

Swim slowly to begin - focus on your breathing, perhaps turn over onto your back and take a few breaths to control your breathing

After the swim, get out of your wet clothes as soon as possible - layer up well afterwards and have a hot drink and something to eat - you've earned it. One of our most popular products to keep you warm and toasty after the swim is the Dryrobe and will offer fast changing in any climate. Discover Dryrobes

Give it a go …. We’re sure you’ll love it.

Or visit www.myopenwaterswim.co.uk for information on Pennington Flash Swim

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Check out some of the recommended brands

Wetsuits ORCA

Dryrobe - Dryrobe

Towfloats - Swim Secure