Lesson No 1: Scrap any plans for cross channel swimming attempts.
Swimming in the sea is tough. It started well, the wetsuit protected me from the staggering chill but the moment I put my face in the water I ingested enough salt to raise my blood pressure to alarming levels. I quickly raised my head and adopted the side to side waggle that gets me nowhere very fast.
(I do appear in this photo - search for the black dot)
Lesson No 2: I do not require any additional buoyancy in my backside.
What with the head wiggle and the 3mm rubber padding I felt like I was trying to swim in the yoga bow position. I couldn’t seem to keep my legs in the water and am seriously considering cutting the buttocks out of my wetsuit and turning it in to a fancy set of chaps.
Lesson No 3: Waves are for surfer dudes.
I bobbed up and down fairly happily until I started seeing the incoming waves breaking on their way towards me.
Then the panic started.
I went out twice over the weekend, trying out different areas of the beach in search of calm deep water but only managed a cumulative distance of 1.5km.
I need to get myself in the pool next week and start training, I also need to get over my reluctance to put my head in open water but I’m not sure how to practice that without sticking my face in puddles.
[...] escaped to the coast for most of the bank holiday to get some essential swimming prep under my belt, but today I was free to catch up on some much needed admin on the plot. All the [...]
I am terrible at swimming… could only manage from the edge of the pool to the middle of the pool (ie the pool bar) when I was on holiday, then I needed some light refreshment (read alcohol) to rejuvenate me. And I hate getting my hair wet because It goes all curly and frizzy.
Bobbing like a cork did of course form quite a large part of this weekends activities, that’s the amazing thing about wetsuits - you can just float.
Emma - if there had been a midpoint bar I would have lingered for some considerable time but they haven’t grasped the concept of early morning drinking in the bay of Bridlington.
Adele - good suggestions. I’ve been to the women’s pond but I don’ t think they allow wetsuits and it’s feels odd to swim properly amongst the ducks. The Serpentine is a definite option though.
Try Heron Lake and/ or Liquid Leisure too…. good places for OW swimming. Tips on getting used to the temp;
Go in slowly, start only with your legs
Dip hands in and get them chilly too…. do this for a min or two
Splash some water over your face
Take the plunge but flip and float on your back for a bit and get some water into the suit (nice cold rush that one)…
Flip back over and put your face in
Start to swim….
Works for me - did Heron Lake end of April when it was about 12 degrees… brrrr
I have that lovely ‘Wild Swim’ book and I think it mentions that they now have wetsuit sessions on the Heath, maybe worth a look so you have a few options.
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