Methods of Entry

Dave_G · 28-02-2011, 01:16 PM

How do you normally enter the pool, river or whatever body of water in which you swim? I was moved to pose this question by observations in my local pool: despite the water temperature being in the upper twenties, I was amazed at how many swimmers dip their toe, before gently easing themselves in. This is perhaps understandable with the older generation, but many younger swimmers also seem to do this, irrespective of which end of the pool they happen to be. Personally, I just jump straight in, indeed my favourite method of entry is by means of a 'bomb'. Although entry in this manner is strictly forbidden in swimming pools, I normally use it when entering rivers, providing, of course, that the water is of sufficient depth, and does not contain something I would not wish to land on, such as barbed wire, old shopping trollies etc. Other open water, for example lakes and the sea, jumping in is generally not possible, so under those circumstances I start at the shore and make my way into deeper water.

Leprechaun · 28-02-2011, 01:26 PM

Aside from Guildford Lido where diving in public sessions is a whistlable offence I generally dive in pools indoor or outdoor.

Jump in deep seas wade in rivers or lakes

KatieBun · 28-02-2011, 01:51 PM

Good question, Dave. I jump into pools, wade out to sea and the rest depends on depth, safety....and how much mud there is!

Spidey · 28-02-2011, 06:48 PM

Toe, test the temperature in the pool. Never dive into a river or lake as you never know what is in there, sea, in as quick as possible.

Wildswimmer · 28-02-2011, 07:40 PM

In a swimming pool I enter via the steps but this is because I'll be wearing my iPod. Jumping in could force water past the waterproof housing's seals.

Outdoors I usually wade in, but down at the R. Weaver I will jump off one of the sailing club's jetties, but that's only because I know the water well.

When winter swimming it's always wade in because I have to allow time for my cold-response to kick in, and in seriously cold water (say below 5C) it's essential to keep my head dry.

Wildswimmer Pete

Blob · 28-02-2011, 08:16 PM

Oh bugger!

manic porpoise · 28-02-2011, 09:59 PM

Dive right in and stay under water for a 25 (with fins).

Dunc · 05-03-2011, 05:50 PM

Any, assuming the efficacy of the gamma hydroxybutyrate.

Juicy Lucy · 05-03-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunc

Any, assuming the efficacy of the gamma hydroxybutyrate.

Did you come on here because you thought this thread was to do with something else?

Spidey · 06-03-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juicy Lucy

Did you come on here because you thought this thread was to do with something else?

Like a bee to a honey trap.

Juicy Lucy · 06-03-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

Like a bee to a honey trap.

You have no idea just how close to the truth you are.

Spidey · 06-03-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

Like a bee to a honey trap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juicy Lucy

You have no idea just how close to the truth you are.

Or perhaps I do?

Juicy Lucy · 06-03-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

Or perhaps I do?

You probably do. Everybody else does, so I've heard.

selkie · 06-03-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

Toe, test the temperature in the pool. Never dive into a river or lake as you never know what is in there, sea, in as quick as possible.

"Feet first the first time" was drilled into our head from an early age as mandatoryif you were talking lake swimming.

Spidey · 07-03-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selkie

"Feet first the first time" was drilled into our head from an early age as mandatory if you were talking lake swimming.

Exactly.

28-02-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
Dave_G I must go wild swimming again soon. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hillmorton, Rugby, England Posts: 2,495	Methods of Entry How do you normally enter the pool, river or whatever body of water in which you swim? I was moved to pose this question by observations in my local pool: despite the water temperature being in the upper twenties, I was amazed at how many swimmers dip their toe, before gently easing themselves in. This is perhaps understandable with the older generation, but many younger swimmers also seem to do this, irrespective of which end of the pool they happen to be. Personally, I just jump straight in, indeed my favourite method of entry is by means of a 'bomb'. Although entry in this manner is strictly forbidden in swimming pools, I normally use it when entering rivers, providing, of course, that the water is of sufficient depth, and does not contain something I would not wish to land on, such as barbed wire, old shopping trollies etc. Other open water, for example lakes and the sea, jumping in is generally not possible, so under those circumstances I start at the shore and make my way into deeper water.

28-02-2011, 01:26 PM	#2
Leprechaun Open Water Eejit and secret wildswimmer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Exiled in Guildford Posts: 4,851	Aside from Guildford Lido where diving in public sessions is a whistlable offence I generally dive in pools indoor or outdoor. Jump in deep seas wade in rivers or lakes __________________ "One can live for years sometimes without living at all, and then all life comes crowding into one single hour" [Oscar Wilde]

28-02-2011, 01:51 PM	#3
KatieBun Fluffy but dangerous Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 300 yards from Fistral Beach. Posts: 7,569	Good question, Dave. I jump into pools, wade out to sea and the rest depends on depth, safety....and how much mud there is! __________________ 2013 May 27 - Eton 10k June 15 - Dover Champion of Champions (5miles/ 3 miles/ 1mile) July 7 - Big Cornwall Swim - 5k July 27 - Creek Safari Swim - 5.3k August 13 - Solo Windermere August 18 - Big Swim, Cornwall - 3.5 miles 3 woman EC relay -Castaways (with Flying Bean and Matron! ) postponed until end of season or 2014. “Happiness is the light on the water.”

28-02-2011, 07:40 PM	#5
Wildswimmer Ice Warrior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Runcorn, Cheshire, near Liverpool: 2008 Capital of Culture. Posts: 6,220	In a swimming pool I enter via the steps but this is because I'll be wearing my iPod. Jumping in could force water past the waterproof housing's seals. Outdoors I usually wade in, but down at the R. Weaver I will jump off one of the sailing club's jetties, but that's only because I know the water well. When winter swimming it's always wade in because I have to allow time for my cold-response to kick in, and in seriously cold water (say below 5C) it's essential to keep my head dry. Wildswimmer Pete __________________ Tethered to the stern of the cruiser of life, swimming hard against the tide of time while wistfully looking back http://www.riveraccessforall.co.uk/

28-02-2011, 08:16 PM	#6
Blob Idiot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 180	Oh bugger! __________________ with the last post on here descending to the all too familiar........self-abasement?

28-02-2011, 06:48 PM	#4
Spidey Time is a healer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Only 24 hours from Tulsa Posts: 10,807	Toe, test the temperature in the pool. Never dive into a river or lake as you never know what is in there, sea, in as quick as possible.

28-02-2011, 09:59 PM	#7
manic porpoise Established Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,238	Dive right in and stay under water for a 25 (with fins).

05-03-2011, 05:50 PM	#8
Dunc Frequently abused member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maidenhead (like Guildford, with curtains) Posts: 2,782	Any, assuming the efficacy of the gamma hydroxybutyrate. __________________ Dunc You only really fail when you quit trying.

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