I ride my motorcycle all year round, and benefit from improved skills and greater enjoyment in the good summer weather. Why shouldn't the same apply to swimming?
PTP Coaching, who operate the lake, offer swim sessions throughout the winter, but you need to complete a Winter Induction first. I had mine yesterday.
The half-hour talk from one of the coaches was very helpful and reassuring. We were not required to demonstrate we could swim, despite what the website said, so I wore my new Captain Marvel cozzie for nothing. Some useful things I learned:
- It takes twice as long to warm up as to cool down, and the cooling starts when you get undressed. So 5 minutes changing + half hour swim + 5 minutes changing = 40 minutes cooling, 80 minutes to warm back up.
- If someone's shaking with cold, don't be tempted to give them a rub on the shoulder - this creates a hot spot and the blood will go there instead of where it's needed.
- Carry something sugary in your bag in case you overdo it, like Kendal Mint Cake or a treat size bag of Haribo.
Next purchase will be neoprene socks, I think.
October 26 2020, 10:06:39 UTC 3 months ago
And I think you're absolutely right re: winter swimming, and benefitting from it throughout the entire year.
Did they give you any tips on how you should warm up someone who's shaking with cold?
Do take a pic with the neoprene socks and everything once those arived. :) And BTW, out of curiosity, do you wear fins/webbed gloves when swimming?
October 27 2020, 07:56:38 UTC 2 months ago
There will probably be a pic of the full outfit as it's going to look pretty silly! I've seen the webbed gloves, but I don't own any; they look fun though.
October 27 2020, 08:48:29 UTC 2 months ago
And they are. :) I've got a pair, and they do make at least a little bit of a difference too (and will certainly give your arms and upper body a bigger workout). Unfortunately mine got damaged pretty fast, even though I bought what is usually a decent brand (Arena).