How to get into a cold sea

I know there are many people heading into their very first winter swim season, with a bit of fear and trepidation. That’s good. A big cold sea should be approached with a bit of fear, it’s about self-preservation after all. 

We are all different when it comes to the cold and how we handle it, our pain thresholds, and the amount of time we can cope in the water without ill effect, and what we seek from it.

So, here’s my personal way, how I approach my sea swims and coach myself in… I’m talking about my own mind gymnastics here, there’s a whole raft of kit, safety, conditions advice on the other aspects of cold water (link below). 

There might be some elements to help you get in next time. I’m always learning and trying new things. It’s like a little ritual.  

• At the beach I make the decision to swim. I literally do that. It’s an internal dialogue but it is a decision I make whilst looking at the sea. I’ll check with my swim friends if they’ve made the decision to swim too (usually shown by them taking off their socks!)
• I decide how I’m feeling, what kind of swim I’m doing, and what kit I’m wearing and what I’ll need ready for when I get out. 
• I walk slowly into the sea, I always say ‘hello sea’ as it would be rude not to.
• I tell myself not to tiptoe. Heels down woman!
• Then I tell myself to put my hands in. My natural response to cold water is to hold my hands out. Hands in helps me to acclimatise.
• I ask myself how my legs are, if they’re fine, then the rest of my body can cope too.
• I’ll usually exclaim at this point that it’s either ‘not toooo bad’ or ‘blinking freezing and ridiculous’.
• Further mind gymnastics then need to take place, around waist height. I remind myself I made the decision that I wanted to swim and feel this, I’m now feeling it. There’s a tick to acknowledge. Well done. 
• Decision made. Big breath in. Big whoosh breath out through my mouth – pursed lips – as I duck my shoulders under the water (head out at this point until I get control of my cold-water shock). 
• Then I stay submerged. A few strokes of breast stroke, a bit of back paddle, until 1 – 2 minutes later – breathing controlled – I’m ready to swim. 
• Dip chin, dip face, heads down front crawl. 
• My breath sometimes sticks until I’m acclimatised. That bit can sometimes take work. The feeling of constriction as my body reacts to the cold can feel like a panic attack – a horrible sensation – I relax and breath out through my nose.

I don’t jump up and down and I don’t want to splash water onto my face. I also don’t want cold baths or showers at home. I don’t even like to wash my face in cold water! 

We all approach it in our own ways. Have a think about your thing. What mind gymnastics do you play to tell your clever body and mind to get into seemingly impossibly cold water? I find it fascinating to find out what works for other people. 

Here your link to information about cold water and safety.