Beginner’s Guide to Wild Swimming
- Check with your doctor before attempting cold water swimming
It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health care provider before you take your first dip, especially if you have any health conditions.
- Cold water showers or splashing your face with cold water.
One way you can start to prepare your body for the cold water; whilst on dry land, is by taking cold water showers or splashing your face with cold water.
Some people find that by gradually introducing a cold blast of water at the end of their shower can help their body to start getting used to the cold water. You could also try splashing your face with cold water.
- Do you know about cold water shock and after drop?
Cold water shock is when the cold water causes the blood vessels in the skin to shrink causing the blood flow to reduce and heart rate to increase. This in turn means the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body increasing the blood pressure. Breathing rates will increase as you enter the water and your natural reaction is to gasp for breath. It is therefore important to slowly enter the water and to control your breathing by taking slow, deep breaths.
After drop is when your body temperature continues to drop even after you have exited the water. This means you will continue to get colder for even up to 40 minutes after you have come out of the water. This is why it is SO important to not wait until you feel cold before getting out of the water and to get out of your wet swim kit, dry yourself and layer up with dry warm clothes as soon as possible. We talk about how to warm up safely and the importance of keeping within your time limits in part two.
- Do a recce of your swim spot and do a risk assessment
It is always advisable to do a recce and a risk assessment of where you are going to swim. Also, if swimming somewhere new to you, speak to locals, other swimmers or lifeguards; when on duty, who are familiar with the swim location to find out about any potential hazards.
- Go with a buddy and/or have someone on dry land watching you
It is a good idea to go along with an experienced outdoor swimmer for your first swims, they can talk you through it and make you feel a lot more supported when taking the plunge. Even better, have someone who is going to stay on dry land to keep an eye on you and do they know what to do should you need help.
- Cover up cuts and open wounds
It is a good idea to cover up cuts and open wounds with waterproof plasters.
- Make sure you have the right kit
Wild swimming can give you a great sense of freedom, all you need is some swimwear and a towel and your good to go right? But making sure you have the right kit is important to ensure your wild swimming sessions are as pleasant and safe as possible. Here are the following kit recommendations for open water swimming:
Our Yonda Spook wetsuit is the perfect wetsuit to keep you warm in the cold open water and has bright sleeve features so you can be easily spotted to help with your own safety!
If you are someone that like to feel the benefits of the cold water then check out our Yulex range that comes in all different types of cuts!
Your feet and hands are often where you feel the coldest, so having some neoprene boots or shoes and gloves can make a huge difference to your time in the water.
With cold hands it can make it very difficult to get changed afterwards, so it is very important to make sure they don't get too cold.
We really recommend wearing a bright coloured swimming hat when you are in the water, not only will it make it easier for you to be seen, it can also keep your head that little bit warmer.
Goggles
A good pair of goggles is key for when you are wild swimming and want to put your head under the water.
A swim safety float is a necessity when it comes to safety in the open water. They enable others to see you easily and can be used as a float to hold on to if you start to struggle swimming.
A changing robe is the piece of essential wild swimming gear that has become synonymous with its rise in popularity over the last few years. For the uninitiated they are an oversized "cloak" with a set of sleeves.
This enables you to get changed pre and post swim, without the classic blush inducing towel-round-the-waist-beach-fumble, or indeed the timeless Mr Bean Y-fronts over the trousers shuffle.
