Swimming: Open Water and Training etc.

[RubyToogood]

Ok, i have read the website more closely and there are two courses - 300m and 650m. So I guess i need to practice some length swimming indoors first

If you can get out at any point you should be fine. Also if it's only open May to October the water temperature won't ever be hypothermia inducing. Now is a great time to start as the water will be at its warmest. You won't need a wetsuit to swim 300m in August or early September.

Your core temperature drops a bit after a cold water swim so if it's not a warm day you may want an extra layer to put on and a hot drink but that's just for comfort really.

I had a quick look and think I see the lake you're talking about. I note that they have an adults' confidence course on Saturdays which sounds like a good idea for you. I also note that everyone in their photos seems to be wearing a wetsuit. However sometimes people swim in wetsuits because they're training for triathlons which require a wetsuit. Wetsuits are a pain and I avoid them if possible but they do mean you can get a longer swim in once the temperature gets colder.

 

[Red Cat]

Yes that's the one RubyToogood. I'd prefer not to wear a wet suit but I think I need to get my front crawl working first although it is very tempting to go today when it's so warm and sunny!

 

[chilango]

So, can I have some tips please? I am not a regular swimmer cos i hate indoor pools, and there is no choice of outdoor here. There is however a lake 30 min drive from us, open from may to oct, that looks good. I usually only do breaststroke so would have to work on my front crawl and presumably have to be able to swim a certain distance without stopping?

My local one is really welcoming and friendly. Yeah triathletes etc are there and yeah it's a lap, but so long as you don't cut across someone nobody's bothered if you cut the lap short. Or even just get in and get used to water without really swimming.

I wear a wetsuit. Cos I'm a wuss. And the extra bouyancy is good. It's easy in a wetsuit to take a breather part way through too.

 

[chilango]

Lake is getting colder. 16c today, had to try out my new neoprene booties

 

[hegley]

Lake is getting colder. 16c today, had to try out my new neoprene booties

That's tropical! I clearly shouldn't have waited until I moved to Scotland to take up open water swimming.

 

[Idaho]

Water is cooling down, but it was sunny and still - so perfect Devon conditions. No wet suit, but it was more of a 10 minute frolic than a disciplined swim.

 

[gaijingirl]

View attachment 190219 Water is cooling down, but it was sunny and still - so perfect Devon conditions. No wet suit, but it was more of a 10 minute frolic than a disciplined swim.

It's 8ish degrees at my local lido and lake too. Like yourself - just a short swim. I'm wanting to go for a "proper" swim now but can't bring myself to do the local indoor pools. The only one I'd consider seems to be closing at 3pm annoyingly.

 

[Idaho]

I've gone back to the indoor pool after having 5 months of the outdoor pool being open. Indoor swimming just feels grotty.

 

[bellaozzydog]

I arrived back in Cornwall having left 5 weeks ago when I was surfing wearing a shorty wetsuit.

Got off the plane and my hands where actually painfully cold after five minutes waiting for the cab. time to dig the gloves hood and booties out

 

[Idaho]

Nice this morning near broadsands, near Brixham.
Swam only about 200m. Could have stayed in a lot longer. I'm trying to work out my comfortable limit. I enjoy the initial plunge and acclimatisation. The going numb is ok. I've got past the crushing testicle sensation, and the ice cream forehead from diving down. But the weird pins and needles feeling in my hands freaks me out. I'm guessing it's just from having a cluster of sensitive nerves being rapidly chilled.

I want to take more layers and a couple of hot water bottles next time and try and do 500m of proper swimming.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Urgent castings - Casting Collective Urgent Casting

urgent.castingcollective.net

Go to the drop down menu

Urgent casting call for open water swimmers for extras for filming in May.

 

[Idaho]

Lovely out today. Scabbacombe sands

 

[Idaho]

Managed to do about 300m of proper swimming in the sea this morning. I borrowed some gloves (but otherwise skins) and that helped. Was 7.5C and really clear.

I brought a hot water bottle and extra clothes and was fine. I did get slightly nervous on my way back across the cove as I'd drifted out and got a little out of breath from the cold. But it was fine. I reckon I can do 500m in that, and will be ok (but much more shivery).

 

[chilango]

The sun is shining for what feels like the first time in months...

Still a few weeks till the Lake opens up though.

Bought myself a DryRobe to get me in the mood!

 

[Idaho]

Had a dip here earlier. Was about the coldest I've been in this year:

 

[chilango]

First swim of the season this morning.

Ahhhh

 

[Idaho]

The water is not that cold at the moment. We've had a few swims where we've been comfortable in skins for 20 minutes.

 

[chilango]

18.8 in the lake this morning.

 

[Idaho]

18.8 in the lake this morning.

That's practically a hot soak!

 

[kalidarkone]

First swim of the season this morning.

Ahhhh

Where is the jealous smiley? I'm missing swimming so much
The lake sounds like heaven.

 

[gaijingirl]

I've been in 3 rivers this week - only one deep enough for a float - not even really a swim. I'm GAGGING for a swim.

 

[Idaho]

Planning to nip down here for a swim after lunch.

 

[dessiato]

I'm looking forward to getting to the beach. I'll sit on it and float in the sea. Then I will get my kit together and do some swimming. Then some snorkeling.

I'm so looking forward to getting outdoors and into some warm water.

 

[Idaho]

Sorry for all you water deprived hope you get to dive in soon.

Was lovely. Very quiet. All the teen-agers deigned to come along.

 

[Idaho]

Hope all you city folks aren't going too crazy. I've heard from my London swimming friends that the few outdoor options are massively oversubscribed.

 

[chilango]

Managed to go every week now.

23c this morning in the water, pouring rain and 16c out of it.

It was brilliant.

 

[Idaho]

I'm in the sea or a river 3 times a week at least. I can't run or walk that far at the moment due to knackered feet, so swimming is essential.

 

[kalidarkone]

Hope all you city folks aren't going too crazy. I've heard from my London swimming friends that the few outdoor options are massively oversubscribed.

I kinda am, missing swimming so badly-tried to go to a place (a river) i usually go to this time of year but it was super packed full of mostly under 25's and I felt weirdly self conscious and unable to navigate the crowd and did not swim. Really frustrating. My aim for the annual leave I'm on is to have a swim but I'm back on Monday....however more time off in July .....and made easier by hopefully being able to camp by then.

Idaho where is that beach in the pic you posted. Feel free to pm me if you dont want to publicise it!

 

[killer b]

I had a nice sea swim on Thursday, first of the year. Getting back on it as soon as it stops raining...

 

[Idaho]

That beach is ladram bay. It has a big caravan park next to it - which is closed. But there is a public footpath to the beach, which is very empty.