Outdoor swimwear

[Openwaterswim]

Hi
I'm a new swimmer to open/outdoor swimming, I would like advice on what to wear to keep me warm during the early spring months swims. I don't swim in open water during the winter, mainly late march-late september and I'd prefer not to wear a wetsuit. I was wondeing whether rash vests offer any warmth, or whether there would be too much drag? How about insulated swim caps? I'm sure I'm sounding like a wimp, but no matter what speed I swim at I am always freezing and can't stay in long...and outdoor swimming is sooo much nicer than indoor!!
Any advice greatly received!
Shelley

[Wildswimmer]

I never used to swim in the cold but do now. I've just had a nice long swim in the River Weaver in Frodsham (Cheshire) - still fizzing from the endorphin hit!! My kit: a pair of Speedo briefs......inside a Bodyglove Apex Pro Titanium wetsuit. No, I'm not that brave yet! Water temp was measured at 5.6C.

My wetsuit is a 3/4 so my calves and forearms are exposed, and that's enough to give you the shock that results in the endorphin buzz. And at that temperature the water filling up your suit gives a bit of a jolt (and shrinks your man's bits), although it soon warms up.

At present I swim for 3 hours Mon-Fri daily in an indoor pool, and the chlorine is irritating my skin a little. That swim today in lovely cold, muddy, slightly salty river water has worked wonders. And I smell of earthy river rather than bleach for a change! Last but not least, I'm maintaining my cold-water acclimatisation.

Incidentally, if you love open water, please support our campaign:
http://www.river-swimming.co.uk

Wildswimmer Pete

[Openwaterswim]

thanks, will have a look at 3/4 wetsuits as I hadn't thought of that...possibly with rash vest under...I get so cold!

I haven't swum in any rivers etc yet, I grew up with a hatred of swimming but since back surgery have developed a passion for swimming. So I've had a few years of 'catch up' swimming but don't feel confident to drop in to any rivers yet!
Thanks for the info though.

[Wildswimmer]

thanks, will have a look at 3/4 wetsuits as I hadn't thought of that...possibly with rash vest under...I get so cold!

Acclimatising to cold water is very simple: start your open water swimming at your usual time, swim outdoors through the summer, then just keep going. As outdoor water cools slowly through early Autumn, your body has plenty of time to acclimatise. As soon as you do start to feel the cold, wear a wetsuit. No shame, a lot of us do. Cold water swimming is a fantastic sport and I'm hooked. Just take it easy, and soon you'll be loving it!


My avatar was taken in the Weaver early last November, and as you can see I'm in bare skin, far from being cold, in water at 12-13C (around 55F).

Wildswimmer Pete

[Openwaterswim]

Thanks for the advice, I plan to jump in to my local lido as soon as it opens (april 9th) and go from there! I need to build my confidence in real open water i.e away from my lovely 50m local lido (cheltenham) and hit the sea etc, do you have a no-fear attitude or will I develop a level of confidence? I hated swimming as a child and still see myself as a weak swimmer despite feeling confident (and swimming a mile in 30 mins wich is a MAJOR achievement for me!) I guess I should just jump in and give it a go!!

thank you very much for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!

[Wildswimmer]

I've always loved water although I didn't learn to swim until taught at school back in early 1965 at the tender age of 14. Before that I always paddled whenever I could, or played in the sea. I've no fear whatsoever of water, rather the opposite: I get very depressed if I don't at least get immersed once a day - the reason I got cold-hardened and bought a wetsuit was so that I could swim all year round. However I do treat my favourite element with the greatest of respect.

A mile in 30 minutes:aarrgghh: Thats far faster than my 50 minutes (breaststroke), and I've only been doing it for 40 years! Mind you, I can keep that up hour after hour if needed.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Speedy Gonzalez]

[At present I swim for 3 hours Mon-Fri daily in an indoor pool,

My God, 3 hours a day! You have my utmost admiration. How much do you do in that time? More to the point, What do you think about?

I also do outdoor stuff - but only in the summer, and here in Spain too. The coldest water I've been in was 15ºc and that was with a wetsuit. Have you heard of David Meca? He's a hero here in Spain - world champ at open water swimming. He's just completed the 110 kms that separate Spain from Ibiza, and ended up with frostbite in his shoulder, 100 jellyfish bites, skin rubbed raw from his suit .... The water then was only 12ºc....

[Wildswimmer]

I'm the swimming equivalent of the long-distance walker: no competitive inclination whatsoever, I just plod along enjoying the freedom and feel of the water - and if outdoors the scenery. The only training I have is my cold acclimatisation, and that just happens if you keep on swimming outdoors as the water gets colder. And like a walker, when the weather gets too cold I have to wear warm clothing. Only difference is that it's made of neoprene and uses trapped water rather than air to retain heat.

I have mixed feelings about pool swimming. As I've said previously, I'm hooked on water and don't like going without a daily dip - anywhere. I like the warmth but not the chlorine. Boredom is not a problem as I have a waterproof mp3 player and as soon as I get into the water I just "switch off" - and anyway I'm always reluctant to get out. I'm fortunate to have the use of a private health club's pool so often have it all to myself, and don't crash into anyone while headbanging to Black Sabbath! Mind you I sell little waterproof FM radios on my website (shameless commercial plug:)), and a lot of the other patrons have got them and now swim along in the same sort of daze as I'm in. No serious crashes yet though!

Wildswimmer Pete

[Speedy Gonzalez]

You say you use a waterproof mp3 player. Are they any good? i.e do they actually work (I've heard mixed reviews about the one made by Oregon).? I don't really want a radio (it's not much good here, you have to sit through, or swim through, too many commercials.)
I?m hoping to be training for a 15k open water swim which is happening in July, so any way to reduce the boredom of all those lengths would be gratefully received.

[Wildswimmer]

It's the Oregon Scientific MP120 that I use; mine is over 12 months old and it gets plenty of use in the pool. Only problem I had was one of the earphones failing, but that was probably down to me listening to hard rock at a thoroughly unhealthy volume. I fitted a replacement pair from a scrap waterproof radio and now headbang away as before. In open water I do use a GoFM (I'm wearing one in the river, in my avatar pic), but of course we do have the BBC here, without those *%$)* adverts.

Wildswimmer Pete

[Roderick]

Hi,

Try alternating your pace and stroke counting while doing lengths. Also thinking of your victory interview :king: is a fun way of analysing what you did (or are going to do) in training if you see what I mean?

r/R

[zed]

How many metres are in a mile?

[H2o]

How many metres are in a mile?



1609 meters = 1 mile