Winter Open Water Swimming: Essential Tips
Why make a blog post about open water swimming in the winter and not the summer? Winter open water swimming comes along with much more risk, so I am here to share my best tips to help keep you safe and somewhat comfortable. Winter open water swimming, specifically in Whatcom County, offers so many gorgeous swim spots. There is also a sweet local community here that welcomes newbies and veteran swimmers anytime to join in their cold-water adventures. I am going to keep today’s post focused on general information that I have acquired over the years, specifically 4, of getting in the open water. But if a local guide is wanted, I will be more than happy to create one! Maybe I will anyways hehe.
Why open water swim in the winter?
Empowerment and mental clarity, or at least that’s why I do it. There are many reasons for swimming in the winter months but that is why I do it. I have been especially motivated to do some cold-water dips the past couple of weeks because my shoulder is currently messed up. I am out of commission on normal tri training but desperate to keep some sort of routine. Cold water is a way I can keep doing things I didn’t think I could do. It is uncomfortable, but that’s the beauty of it!
Teddy bear Cove, May 2021. Photo by Sarah Ellis
What you need:
Preparing is one of the most important parts of cold-water swimming. You have to be ready, prior to getting in, to get yourself warmed back up as quickly as you can after getting out of the water. You have a small window of time to get dried off and back to a warm car, and if you’re lucky, a hot tub!!
For in the water:
Neoprene Booties, gloves and swim hat (if that’s your jam, it is optional but recommended if you’re going to be actually swimming)
Wetsuit (optional but recommended if you plan to stay in a while and actually swim)
Swim Bouy
Goggles
Swim cap
Swimsuit (my preference is anything with a tie-back from Jolyn)
What you need for after:
A flask or big jug of WARM water, not hot. Around 120 degrees.
A snack
A warm drink
Towel(s)
Hat (if going to do a dip)
A big warm jacket
Changing robe
Water shoes or Crocs
Sweatpants
Socks
Gear laid out for me for when I get out of the water. Photo by Sarah Ellis
How to get in:
This might seem like a silly thing to create a “how to” on but there are many ways to do it. As long as you’re getting in the water, you’re doing it right. In case you needed some sort of guide, I will indulge you in my current routine. I first put my crocs in sport mode and then start my timer on my watch for 15 min as soon as I touch the water. I walk into the water up to the back on my knees. I let the cold-water twinge at my feet until they are numb. This takes about 2 minutes. Then I slowly wade in till my belly and bravely stick my hands in the water and let the water take over the feeling in my hands as well. I walk a little further, trying not to slip on the slick rocks beneath me. I let the wake from passing boats force me to get in further and further. I take deep breaths trying to calm a deep anxiety in the back of my stomach telling me to get out. Calmed, I walk in till my shoulders. I feel the spice of the water hit the back of my neck. I look at the time, 6 min to go. Yes, it takes me 10 min to get in! When the timer goes off, I decide if I want to stay in longer but only do so at 1-2 min increments to make sure I am not staying in longer then I am ready for. Then I get out and prepare for the After Drop…
Having a watch helps you keep track of how long you’ve been in. I use my Garmin Forerunner 955. Photo by Sarah Ellis
How to manage the After Drop:
What is an After Drop? The after drop is basically when your body temperature continues to lower even after you get out of the water. This gets more and more important, the colder and colder the water is. You might feel as though you are ok for a minute or two but then you realize you’re actually still very cold. The best way to mitigate the After Drop through the following steps: 1. Keep tabs on how long you’ve stayed in, do NOT overdo it 2. Rinse off 3. Get wet clothes off and dry off 4. Put on your biggest jackets, pants, socks, gloves, hat, whatever floats your boat. Then you want to munch on that snack you brought and sip on your warm drink. Try some quick jumping jacks or jogging in place to get your core temperature higher. You might think that just getting into a hot shower will help you warm up the fastest but that’s false. While it may feel good, showers can only do so much. It is more effective to warm yourself up from the inside out and then hop in the shower or hot tub.
Pace yourself
Once you’re in the water you might feel invincible! Yay! But you’re not. You need to make sure you pace yourself each time. Depending on your goals of your winter water adventures, you might want to gain the ability to stay longer or just simply get out there. Either way, it’s important to start slow and build over time the amount of time you spend in the water. Maybe start out with 5 minutes then adding 30 seconds to 1 minute each day. You don’t even need to get all the way in each time. One way I like to make sure I am not over my limit is to continue to talk to myself. If it becomes difficult to speak or I can feel my lips getting stiff when trying to talk, I know it’s time to get out. As you get in the water more and more you will discover your limitations. And hopefully, with knowing those limitations you’re able to push yourself a little as well. If you want to of course
Sarah’s Top Safety Tips w/ Explanation
- When getting in cold water, gradually get in. Jumping into cold water can send your body into a state of shock, causing hyperventilation and panic. This is how people drown. Stay safer by splashing some of the water on the back of your neck to better prepare your body for the temp of the cold water.
- Know the signs of Hypothermia
Confusion
Drowsiness
Pale and cold skin
Violent shivering that cannot be controlled
If you’ve stopped shivering (this means you’re so cold your body has given up on warming you back up)
Weakness and loss of coordination
Pulled from https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/hypothermia
Smiles getting out of the water wearing my favorite Jolyn bikini ;) November 2024. Photo by Andy Dewey
- Swim with a buddy. I don’t always follow this one. Sometimes you want to hop in real quick and can’t find anyone to join you, you can go in alone under specific circumstances.
*You should always be a little afraid of the water and never overestimate your abilities in order to stay safe if you go swimming alone. I would only recommend doing this if you really trust your swimming abilities and have experience of open water swimming. Even still, proceed with extreme caution. *
Swim in a highly populated area. Like next to a walking path on a sunny Saturday afternoon. For example, Taylor dock in Bham.
Stay close to the shoreline
Swim on a calm weather day.
Have someone sit on the shore and keep a close eye on you.
Have someone in a kayak or boat next to you.
Don’t go in to where you can’t touch! (you can technically swim in 3 feet of water)
- Wear bright colors! Having a bright swim buoy and bright swim cap can help people keep an eye on you and can make you more visible to boats. I think almost all wetsuits are black so having the bright elements really helps you stay visible.
- Find a local Open Water Swim Group. You might be surprised to find that your community has one! I know Portland has one, Seattle, Bellingham, and Whidbey Island. You get on Facebook and search for it. This is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t go alone.
- Have fun and be brave. You can do it. I will say that it doesn’t get easier, but you do get stronger, just like regular triathlon training! Take advantage of all the amazing views shorelines have to offer.
- Pay attention to water quality, tides, and water temperatures. You do not want to be swimming in water that is in the middle of an algae bloom as it can make you very sick. When the tide is low, you’re exposed to a lot more barnacles and critters. The tide can also provide strong currents that are important to pay attention to as well. You do not want to get caught in the middle of a bay, being too tired to swim back. Knowing the water temperatures can help you figure out your limitations and give you information on what gear to bring.
- Swim against the wind when going out. If you go out with the wind, you can be pushed out too far and not be able to get back. When you go out with the wind you have much more control on getting back to your starting point.
Swimming in Teddy Bear Cove with bright swim buoy and swim cap. December 2020. I don’t remember who took this photo, I think someone from the Bham OW swim group.
I implore you to try it, even just once. Experience the cold taking over and being able to breathe through the pain. It’s wonderful.
Here are some additional resources as my blog is not an exhausted list. I encourage you to do some extra research before hopping in.
Everything you need to know about open water Swimming in the winter to extent your swim season
And so many more!! Make sure you do your own research.
I know I have missed some information. Again, this is not an extensive list. Be sure to do your own research before getting in. Safety is priority #1. When in Doubt, Get Out.