{"id":25209,"title":"Safe Cold Water Swimming","description":"Cold water swimming is great for our minds and bodies but we have to do it safely. We at Kolo have been sea swimming for years now, all year round without a wetsuit. So what are our tips for safe cold water swimming?","content":"

Cold water swimming is great for our minds and bodies but we have to do it safely.<\/p>

We at Kolo have been sea swimming for years now, all year round without a wetsuit. <\/p>

So what are our tips for safe cold water swimming?<\/p>

Have the right kit<\/strong>
Now we don\u2019t mean all the latest products, we just mean prepare in advance.
If a wet suit is your thing, wear that, but if it\u2019s not don\u2019t!
If the beach or lead up to your swim spot is rough or slippery, a good pair of beach shoes really helps you get in the water faster and in a bit less pain!
Wet suit gloves and boots can also help you acclimatise to the water faster and stay in longer (but never stay in longer than YOU should). Also a tow float is a good shout as not only does it mean you\u2019re visible but you\u2019ve also got something to hold on to if you get tired or into difficulties - some can even store your valuables inside.
Make sure you have a towel for afterwards, some warm dry clothes, socks and shoes and a warm outer layer.<\/p>

Getting in<\/strong>
There is always debate over how to get in - do you go in slowly or do you just dive in? We\u2019re somewhere in-between!
In our experience the best way to get in is to walk steadily up to your middle with your hands in the water then take a few deep slow breaths to steady your breathing and then glide off into the sea. You may get the gasp reflex so make sure you keep your head above water to start with to avoid taking in water (during the cold winter months we would advise keeping your head out unless you have a thermal swim cap anyway - heat rises from your head and all!).
Keep your breath slow and steady and try not to just jump straight back out.<\/p>

Staying in<\/strong>
Staying in is very personal and can change with temperature or just how you\u2019re. Never stay in longer than you feel comfortable. Everyone is different and everyone can stay in the water for different lengths of time so don\u2019t compare yourself to others you\u2019re with or someone your saw online. Wearing a woolly hat can help keep the heat in for longer and is great for afterwards too.
There is some evidence that 2 minutes is enough to get all the benefits of the cold water but even that might be too much for some or on some days.
If you start to feel too cold, or worse start to actually feel warm, it\u2019s time to get out.<\/p>

Community<\/strong>
Cold water swimming is a great way to meet new people within your community. Not only is it safety in numbers but you\u2019ll find other cold water lovers you can talk to for hours about how great it is rather than your friends and family who just don\u2019t get it! Here on the Isle of Wight where Kolo is based there are some great sea swimming communities. Our local one is so welcoming and there are some great cake makers within the group - cake is an important part of cold water swimming!<\/p>

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Warming up<\/strong>
Get out of your wet clothes as soon as you can, dry yourself off and put on warm dry clothes with a good warm outer layer. It may be beneficial to do a few squats or have a gentle walk about just to get your circulation going again but the best bit is having a warm drink and a slice of cake - it\u2019s a must!
Be ware of the cold water drop though. When you get out of the water your skin will be cold to the touch as all your heat have gone inside to keep your organs warm. When you get out and start to warm up your internal heat is pushed back out to warm up your skin. This can cause your core temperature to drop slightly after you\u2019ve been out of the water for 15-30 minutes or so making you feel colder again all of a sudden. That\u2019s why it\u2019s wise to warm up with a warm drink as that will help keep your core temperature up.<\/p>

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Once home<\/strong>
It might be tempting to have a hot shower or bath soon after your swim but this could cause burning as your skin can\u2019t tell how hot the water is as it\u2019s still trying to warm itself up. A hot bath can put a strain on your heart so soon after cold exposure too so save the bath for later. A hot water bottle over your clothes is a good way of bringing your temperature back to normal in a slower, safer way.<\/p>

Our Essential Cold Water Swimming Kit<\/strong>
A good quality swimming costume
Beach shoes
Woolly hat - what are the chances Kolo has one here<\/u><\/a>!
A hoodie towel robe to change under - we love these from Rapanui<\/u><\/a>
A warm fleece lined changing robe
Thick warm socks
A hoodie - like this Cold Water Swimming<\/u><\/a> one from Kolo
A long, across body hot water bottle
Thermal mug full of coffee
Large slab of vegan chocolate cake!<\/p>

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