ASK ME ANYTHING: Several people have quizzed me about how to get started with cold water swimming this week and as I am keen to spread the addictive joy of a cooling dip I’m here to answer questions, from how and when to what to wear. Temperatures are heading below 10 degrees here in London at the ponds, lakes and lidos so it’s best you are prepared. I’ve been swimming through winter for about five years now and interviewed many experts so go ahead and ask me anything!
Ah thank you so much. Yes, I think I am staying in too long. It’s so seductive once you get to that stage where it all feels so effortless, I can never resist a couple more lengths. But the severity of the afterdrop made me realise you can have too much of a good thing. I’m also getting one of those neoprene swim hats, which I think will help. Chai sounds delicious, great idea.
Hi, really basic questions as I've never done cold water swimming in the winter - only during the summer months at Parliament Hill Lido. What should I wear whilst swimming - just a swimsuit or should I invest in something more substantial that keeps you warmer? Also how long should I be in the water to start with? Final question, do you shower as soon as you get out or just get dressed and then go home and shower?
So I wear a swim suit and then when it gets to around 12 degrees I have a BlueSeventy neoprene hat that covers my ears (goes under my chin), neoprene gloves and boots. When it goes under 10 deg then I wound't stay in longer than 10 minutes. It really is up to you though - shorter is better in my opinion. And I shower at home - there is some research to say hot showers aren't helpful until your core temperature is back up (it drops for about 20 mins after you get out) so I wait until I am back to normal before showering. I would take it very slowly for the first winter and perhaps try cold showers in between dips to acclimatise too. Some swimmers wear wet suits the lido for longer swims but I find that quite a faff in the changing rooms!
Thank you Lorraine, that's great info and advice - I'm with you on the faff of the wetsuit - can never take it off when my hands are frozen!! Will start with the cold showers during the week and hit Parli Lido next weekend!
I’ve just started swimming at Parliament Hill having swim at the reservoir since the summer - I do, I find, infinitely prefer the sparkly pool. But tell me about the sauna, do you use it? I often do feel a bit lightheaded after I come out as I warm up and I’m a bit nervous of introducing another temperature extreme. Or maybe the thing to do is sauna first? If you use it, curious to know what works for you?
I would give it a go and see how you feel - if you feel light headed you may be staying in a little too long? I think a nice warm tea would help immediately after a swim - maybe sugary drink? We have Chai my friend Dipa makes some times and it works you up!
Yes we use it but not if we are training for something as it messes up acclimatisation for long swims (we think) but for our recreational dips it is amazing and it is done in Norway for OW swimming. Good for arthritis too I am told by a lady there who is a medic!
It has ‘saved’ mentally - the ‘high’ afterwards is wonderful but it is more the community and the adventure - if you swim early you have done something amazing at the start of your day which keeps you happy throughout it. I have had the most amazing times swimming and met some wonderful people - it is a sport like no other, welcoming and diverse in terms of age and background. Not competitive like Tri community or run community. It is mediative too for me and I like the lack of sound I find that very soothing . You have to rely on your mind and that feels good. Can’t recommend it enough especially the cold but.
This may not be the right place to ask this, so pls excuse me but do you know anyone who has started swimming after turning 60? I’m a mag editor looking for a subject that fits that bill. Would be very interested in talking with you too.
Hat (made of wool is best) on first and big thick wooly socks. Body Temp continues to drop when you get out so expect it to take a while. And also make sure you haven't stayed in too long for your acclimatisation as that will then take longer to warm through. We have all our clothes ready for speedy change and pop hat on while drying then your layers and a warm drink works for some tho not me really. They key is to get out just when you think you could stay in for ages! build gradually to staying longer in the water.
Brilliant thank you, hat and don't stay in too long (I def know that "ooh I could stay in here for ages" feeling, will make sure that is the point at which I get out!). Thank you
Spoilt for choice: my fave is 61m Parliament Hill Lido (has a sauna), Tooting Bec is beautiful old lido, Brockwell, Serpentine (which you need to join) but is a bit of an experience, The Hampstead Ponds (though this is a dip rather than a swim) beautiful setting tho, London Fields and Hampton are heated outdoor lidos. West reservoir is lovely but hard to park, Merchant Taylors school lake is fun and if you go early to beat traffic Shepperton Lake is a good venue. And at Canary wharf Docks there are swim venues too but I haven't tried them yet.
Ah thank you so much. Yes, I think I am staying in too long. It’s so seductive once you get to that stage where it all feels so effortless, I can never resist a couple more lengths. But the severity of the afterdrop made me realise you can have too much of a good thing. I’m also getting one of those neoprene swim hats, which I think will help. Chai sounds delicious, great idea.
That book
Why we swim by Bonnie Tsui was one of my fave reads this year..
Hi, really basic questions as I've never done cold water swimming in the winter - only during the summer months at Parliament Hill Lido. What should I wear whilst swimming - just a swimsuit or should I invest in something more substantial that keeps you warmer? Also how long should I be in the water to start with? Final question, do you shower as soon as you get out or just get dressed and then go home and shower?
So I wear a swim suit and then when it gets to around 12 degrees I have a BlueSeventy neoprene hat that covers my ears (goes under my chin), neoprene gloves and boots. When it goes under 10 deg then I wound't stay in longer than 10 minutes. It really is up to you though - shorter is better in my opinion. And I shower at home - there is some research to say hot showers aren't helpful until your core temperature is back up (it drops for about 20 mins after you get out) so I wait until I am back to normal before showering. I would take it very slowly for the first winter and perhaps try cold showers in between dips to acclimatise too. Some swimmers wear wet suits the lido for longer swims but I find that quite a faff in the changing rooms!
Thank you Lorraine, that's great info and advice - I'm with you on the faff of the wetsuit - can never take it off when my hands are frozen!! Will start with the cold showers during the week and hit Parli Lido next weekend!
I’ve just started swimming at Parliament Hill having swim at the reservoir since the summer - I do, I find, infinitely prefer the sparkly pool. But tell me about the sauna, do you use it? I often do feel a bit lightheaded after I come out as I warm up and I’m a bit nervous of introducing another temperature extreme. Or maybe the thing to do is sauna first? If you use it, curious to know what works for you?
I would give it a go and see how you feel - if you feel light headed you may be staying in a little too long? I think a nice warm tea would help immediately after a swim - maybe sugary drink? We have Chai my friend Dipa makes some times and it works you up!
Yes we use it but not if we are training for something as it messes up acclimatisation for long swims (we think) but for our recreational dips it is amazing and it is done in Norway for OW swimming. Good for arthritis too I am told by a lady there who is a medic!
In what ways do you think cold water swimming has enhanced your life?
It has ‘saved’ mentally - the ‘high’ afterwards is wonderful but it is more the community and the adventure - if you swim early you have done something amazing at the start of your day which keeps you happy throughout it. I have had the most amazing times swimming and met some wonderful people - it is a sport like no other, welcoming and diverse in terms of age and background. Not competitive like Tri community or run community. It is mediative too for me and I like the lack of sound I find that very soothing . You have to rely on your mind and that feels good. Can’t recommend it enough especially the cold but.
This may not be the right place to ask this, so pls excuse me but do you know anyone who has started swimming after turning 60? I’m a mag editor looking for a subject that fits that bill. Would be very interested in talking with you too.
I don’t know anyone personally but Google Kate Rew she will know !
Google or FB message Sally Minty-Gravett, Channel Island swimmer, teacher in Jersey. 💙
Best way to warm up after a cold swim? This is my first winter swimming and I take ages to warm up afterwards....
Hat (made of wool is best) on first and big thick wooly socks. Body Temp continues to drop when you get out so expect it to take a while. And also make sure you haven't stayed in too long for your acclimatisation as that will then take longer to warm through. We have all our clothes ready for speedy change and pop hat on while drying then your layers and a warm drink works for some tho not me really. They key is to get out just when you think you could stay in for ages! build gradually to staying longer in the water.
Brilliant thank you, hat and don't stay in too long (I def know that "ooh I could stay in here for ages" feeling, will make sure that is the point at which I get out!). Thank you
Yes out as soon as it feels good! And that helps acclimatise more so you can do a bit longer
Bring a hot water bottle and a flask of tea for afterwards!
Best places in London for cold swimming?
Spoilt for choice: my fave is 61m Parliament Hill Lido (has a sauna), Tooting Bec is beautiful old lido, Brockwell, Serpentine (which you need to join) but is a bit of an experience, The Hampstead Ponds (though this is a dip rather than a swim) beautiful setting tho, London Fields and Hampton are heated outdoor lidos. West reservoir is lovely but hard to park, Merchant Taylors school lake is fun and if you go early to beat traffic Shepperton Lake is a good venue. And at Canary wharf Docks there are swim venues too but I haven't tried them yet.