WINTER SWIMMING | Essential Cold Water Swimming Tips

[@deanmilne6744]

The open water paranoia is real! The more you try to stop it the worse it gets. I've panicked many a time a seaweed has touched my foot 😂I think it's a primal thing like being in the dark

[@wittgenstoned]

It's nice to hear that other folks have this, too. There's something intensely creepy, to put it mildly, about abyssal creatures sneaking up on my better bits.

[@billygatto]

Dean Milne I'm 50yrs young, I grew up 2 blocks from Lake Michigan. I spent a lot of time swimming in the open water, In summer and Winter. I Love It, Night swimming In the winter months Is good for my mind and soul. Nothing Toothy In the water, But at night If I stop to just look at all the lights on shore, I've had fish bump Into me a few times and every time. The "was that a shark thaught" Crossed my mind.. But once I start swimming back to shore I realize It's just my mind playing games.. It's funny. Cold water swimming Is good for my soul...

[@scopianfish]

Definitely paranoid with sharks and seaweed everytime I went for wide water swimming. Thought I was weird...great to know we are not alone!

[@King-zy7lj]

@@billygattoAbout to hike to a lake and go swimming in late november lol. First time doing something like this

[@momo-i1t3d]

Same man I struggle so much to swim in the middle of my sea which is 500m away when im by myself I feel a lot more confident in terms of being scared of sea creatures water plants and so on when im with someone.

[@iainduke6426]

'join the cluub'😂😂 that was absolutely gold. Facial expression delivered so well 😂 Howling!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Haha thank you!

[@youssefbayoumi857]

You deserve a lot more credit for that quality content dude. Incredibly entertaining even though I'm not planning on swimming in a lake or in cold water anytime soon, I still watched it all. Keep it up man!

[@dudeskinus]

as a regular cold water guy, but no so much for a swim, seeing you talk while getting in is a sign of strength dude. amazing channel. THe mental benefits of cold water dips have helped me overcome stress in the rest of my life. much needed

[@caroljohnson8527]

I'm in the Southern US & I'm an immediate Fergus fan!!!! I came looking for direction on how to open-water swim through winter, and you provided exactly what I need to know. THANK YOU for taking the time to make the video. SO REAL & SO HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!

[@grixtraselespejo136]

I totally get your fear of the depths, I am a Full Cave Dive and I'm still afraid of swimming outdoors when I'm alone. Bray Lake near London has been a great opportunity for me as it offers warm showers and the vigilance of lifeguards which helps with many of the worries when it comes to Solo Open Water swimming. Good luck to everyone this winter

[@lisastubbs4763]

Great video Fergus, open water swimming during lockdown last year and earlier this year was my saviour, we started swimming in March this year, water temperature was around 9/10 degrees, only swum a short course on the lake but it did give you a buzz and was great for mental health! You hit the nail on the head about building resilience, there were so many times that I wanted to get out!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Great to hear Lisa! Thanks for watching!

[@samuelphillips2040]

This needs a bigger outreach. Some much value from it and the production quality is naughty. Top stuff

[@Mackswim]

Love that you are trying to show people the dos and don'ts of wild swimming. REALLY wish you had a buoy on in that video. No matter if you are an olympic swimmer or a beginner, a buoy is more important that the rest of your kit!

[@Chizzet]

No idea how you don't have more views on your content, since seeing you via MattDoesFitness, you've quickly become my favourite content creator, seem like a genuinely nice bloke and encouraged me to run my first 10k for and during Movember. Keep up the awesome work!

[@tiffanynicolecarter]

Such great delivery and informative!

[@williammayer7199]

Keep coming back to this, great video. I started swimming in October as I wanted to get a head start come April/May, and nothing prepares you for quite how cold you’ll be. By feb I was ordering booties and gloves and spares 🥶

[@jackbax4280]

Awesome video again fergus. Take a look at the new research around glaborous skin and losing/retaining warmth. Very interesting!

[@professormph]

I am not saying I am subscribed or watch these videos because Fergus is nice to look at, but it is a nice bonus. Quality content, great dry humor and humility make this my favorite triathlon channel. I will say that the one hack I have found for staying "not so dang cold" was to put on a few pounds, both in muscle and fat (I was underweight previously). This also helped me tremendously with my bike, although my running took a little hit. Thank you for the great videos. I watched your double triathlon video last week as I was preparing for IMCA and it helped to pump me up.

[@dangrantofficial]

Another great video. Watching you balance weight lifting and endurance training is really inspiring.

[@JohnnyTheCache]

my no1 coldwater item is the new orca hooded vest under my wetsuit... gamechanger for me! Also i take off my suit before i go home in the water. After being warmed up through the swimming (if the suit fits well) thats ok for a moment, at least for 10deg water.

[@stefanietucker9678]

a video on indoor training in the winter, how you integrate and cope with treadmill and watt bike/turbo training would be class.

[@rachaelcurrie6292]

Great video and tips. Quick question. What goggles are you using? Recommended? I have tried many smaller goggles, and just bought the Magic5 for open water swimming (haven't tried yet because my lakes are frozen), but looking for a larger goggle/mask. Thanks.

[@Buddsification]

Thanks Fergus. After the incidents in ireland ironman last week it focused my mind as I'm planning for doing next year and had an instinct that winter swimming would help with that prep and acclimitisation. This video is decent insight into what I should expect and how I can manage

[@michaelwardle2913]

Hey Fergus, great video again mate and loving this series. Just a question on how you first got into hybrid training, was it both feet first all in or did you ease into it slowly? Struggling to understand how I can start - absolute beginner. Cheers bud and merry Christmas to you an yours 👍

[@a.k.f2917]

Great video. I'm at the research stage and hope to get into swimming before winter arrives. Also based in Scotland on the West Coast with plenty of areas to explore. You have a great attitude and your right, build resilience and keep testing yourself 👍

[@tigolbitties8008]

Great video. Glad you mentioned the mental aspect because even though I swim in a contained lake in the UK I keep getting terrified that a crocodile is going to appear behind or underneath me. Also just the mental aspect of not being able to touch the bottom like in the pool. Keep up the great content!

[@ruddfitnesscoaching1260]

Nice content Fergus. I would really consider getting out of the wetsuit and getting warm clothes on as quickly as possible. Wetsuits work by your body heat warming the water that is trapped inside the suit (for as long as you can keep moving quick enough to generate heat). When you get out you’ll stop generating as much heat and you are stuck in a wet suit that is then cooling you from the outside, you then risk the cold blood circulating to your core causing your core temp to drop, known as the ‘after shock/drop’ potentially leading to hypothermia. Ideally you want to warm up slowly, from the inside out. Get warm clothes on as soon as you get out, inc hat. Get a warm drink. (Do not go In a hot shower/sauna, can potentially cause the same issue) . Stay safe! Keep swimming!

[@lafortalezadelascosas]

This is the most appealing, funny, lovely and well-deserved way to ask to subscribe! I did immediately and had to laugh about why I didn't do before. Viva Fergus!!!

[@disaannecooper-asperin6415]

I'm about to go on my 1st Nsea sip tomorrow morning. Thanks.😊I'm so totally in love with u😂I mag have to watch this vid a few more times😮

[@cristianmartin3706]

The backstroke is your friend. Something that helps me when Im in pannic on the cold is just starting to backstroke , feel the air in your cold nose and remember that u are stronger as you feel in the moment. And the floaty

[@ferguscrawley95]

👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

[@Phaser3]

Great content!!! Just started open swimming in a local lake from a life swimming in pool and warm oceans and I wished I would have seen this video before my first dip in temp of around 5-6C. Wetsuit and buoy but no socks and gloves (big mistake and already ordered gloves and booties)….took a couple of minutes for my feet to acclimatise but my hands were a different story.. kept wanting to take them out of the water due to pin and needle feeling. Also noticed that walking a bit around helped instead of standing still. Finally started with breast stroke then freestyle… was really surprised me is when I tried to walked out the lake it was really hard almost like my feet were totally numb. I have asked a local about this and they recommended for the last 50 to 100 meters to “swim home”: kicking like crazy to try to bring back some blood back to the feet. But yeah… I think I’m hooked…

[@theryanthomas]

Your visual likeness to Tyson Fury is uncanny. Great video!!

[@petermaguire3948]

7mm suit that is flexible enough to swim was what all pupils were given when i was introduced on a professional course in January. Remember ,our friend here swam for 1500 metres . It looks like he could have done in in twenty minutes or less. And its obvious he wasnt in great nick when he got out. That means all he was able to do safely was twenty minutes. An older person or weaker swimmer could take double the time. If they wore the same gear they probably would not make it back. The industry has a lot to answer for. They are selling gear for racers and not solo swimmers who just want to stay warm and swim, simple. The marketed suits are all about saving time and winning stuff. When your in the middle of lake, and the suit wont keep the cold out, what good is that . I would also make sure to wear 7mm on hands and feet and 6mm at least on head. the professionals would laugh at you if you wore such a thin outfit as our friend. They know your dicing with death doing that. Just think if your at sea and you swim one kilometre on a smooth day and come and try it when the tide may be against you, the extra time taken could exhaust your heat supply and your out. This is a serious business. That's what makes it fun but also dangerous. Always monitor the functionality of the arms and legs. Try always , from beginning to end of swim to visualise the finishing point and continually recalibrate your ability to visualise your complete journey back and how easy or hard it will be. Another point worth mentioning is the slightly increased buoyancy of extra neoprene will give the swimmer and extra bit of distance per stroke. so the breathing slightly alters to balance with the stroke which will be prolonged. Different muscles in the body will also aid in prolonging the kick. Sometimes a much great glide though the water can be achieved. Particularly on freestyle. Its always good to master five or six strokes, Dog paddle, side stroke , breast stoke, back stroke also. It takes a bit of getting used to this much neoprene but the patience is well rewarded. Earplugs are very important , if one is going to swim regularly as water eventually sneaks into the inner ear causing many to be dizzy for days after a swim.

[@Steve-nz6ek]

Fergus your channel is going to explode, the quality of your videos is so high for number of subs. Keep up the regularity and the collaborations and there's no reason you won't be one of the big youtube fitness guys. You should do something with GTN/GCN (global triathlon/cycling network)

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks Steve appreciate it!

[@jillybet3]

Crazy bloke! I think I'll stick to the pool 🙂Enjoyed watching your video though Fergus ♥

[@fattyalpaca]

Great video. I learnt to appreciate a skull cap and 1mn wet suit from this video

[@IRunDaily]

That lake looks pristine! A tip I learnt from my triathlon days is to apply some lube/body glide to your wrists and ankles to speed up taking the wetsuit off. Could be helpful if your struggling to peel a wetsuit off in the cold. Great video, thanks for making 😊.

[@ferguscrawley95]

It’s mega! Ah nice one will make sure to implement!

[@hussienmohammed2914]

It was 10 c' a week earlier, and I wormed up pretty nice and swam for an hour... nothing on me but a summer shorts. Im 65 kg! Are you exaggerating??

[@billygatto]

Fergus Crawley I've been Cold water swimming in open waters for 30? yrs. I just recently started watching wild Cold water swimming videos to compare my rituals to other swimmers.. YOU Cover wild cold water swimming from A to Z the best I've seen. And your Funny.. I will direct all beginner and experienced swimmers that are getting back into the water that your the guy to watch to refresh their skills.. Your Skills Are ON POINT..... #MuchRespect

[@garethv7331]

Doing a 3km cold swim in 2 weeks. 10°c water. No wetsuit. Glad I found this video 🔥

[@RPA1999]

Fantastic content. The psychological element is important as you say. Thanks Fergus!

[@tombinley9994]

Brilliant video Fergus and thanks for sharing, really informative, especially for someone just starting to get into triathlons. I also have a horrible, wouldn’t say fear, but uncomfortableness about open dark water!

[@mickoholland1]

My Tip: get into wetsuit etc at home, drive there keeping the car heater going, keep dry robe on unto ready to go at the shore, get in gently, take a min to get used to it and off you go. Works every time for me anyways! The worst thing ive noticed is if you get cold before you get in to swim......its a nightmare of a swim and everything stops working as it should lol.

[@stefankurzeder1563]

Great alternative for those athletes - like me - who don't like winter swim training in a pool and a great nature experience as well

[@crazysocer]

Hey Fergus, love the content, you have really inspired me to pursue greatness and demand more from myself. I know this is an older video so you might not reply. I wanted to ask, do you find that your car seat gets wet after a swim, or does your dry robe manage to soak all the water from your wet suit? Thanks again for a ton of inspiration 💪

[@no_excuses]

Great VBlog Fergus, I must try some cold water exposure sometime over the Christmas hols in prep for a Misogi weekender in late Jan 2022.

[@malgosia2633]

Hi Fergus, Im a Polish lass, who lives in beautiful Scotland and this morning I was looking at winter time cold water dipping. That was, when this video popped up. I really enjoyed it, big time admiration for swimming outdoors in winter. 🥶 Amazing Btw you have some monster body dude lol 🔥 All the best for you and your lived ones 😉

[@angelacatherinecote]

Love the point around 15:30 about resilience! Thanks for this 🙌🏻

[@williammayer7199]

The video we’ve been waiting for. Great content, great effort, love it 💙👍🏻

[@cristianzdroba]

Hi Fergus. Nice swimm ! I do also swimm in cold waters....since last year. But i do wear my garmin so I see temp, time distance and as soon as I come out of the water i change right there on dry clothes otherwise the swimsuit make me colder than i am. Thanks for the video

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

the key to not being cold is to understand it is just nervous signals and most of the feeling is just your capillaries opening. The actual feeling of cold is numbness and that is actually not feeling so that is how you don't feel cold swimming. Cold is the absence of heat not the addition of cold.

[@tfking10]

honesty is admirable

[@simonstevenson1437]

I've recently started cold water swimming at the local Lido in Cheltenham. Last week was 5 degrees. Would love to hear you talk through more of the physical benefits, not just the mental. how long does it take to warm your core? I've found it to be a couple of hours before I feel "normal"..is that normal?

[@donp2366]

Let’s go this dude Fergus always keeping me motivated

[@Bryan-sp8wq]

Once again, this is insane

[@cierabartholomew4058]

That lake is beautiful!

[@ferguscrawley95]

It’s mega!

[@mistressblush4233]

Another great/entertaining video. 😊 I really like the intro song you used in this and Episode 1.

[@ferguscrawley95]

Great to hear thank you!

[@killiandoyle9054]

Great episode furgas! Who knew suffering would be so appealing

[@UshaSharma-m4y]

I love swimming and your swimming dress

[@mattnew33]

New sub, don't have anything to say yet, but will happily comment for the algorithm.

[@JayasimhaHj]

Hello Fergus, you are amazing and this is really great. I am planning a high altitude swim in the Himalayan lakes and I am a beginner. The temperature will be around 8 degree celsius and the altitude is around 9000 feet. Could you please give me some tips or suggestions for the swim; Also, what is the thickness of your wetsuit ? Thank you.

[@bvgatti]

I am a daily open ocean skin swimmer for 7years now. I love water.

[@jonpurnell3617]

Went swimming in London Fields lido yesterday. My hands went numb so will invest in some swimming gloves first and hat. Thinking about something for my feet as well. I got Raynards disease, so my hands get ultra painful in cold.

[@HellsBells1710]

Great videos Fergus. I started swimming in a loch in the Scottish Borders in July this year and love it. Found ßome wonderful women who've done it for 5 years all in swimsuits with neoprene boots, gloves & hats , so determined to do the same, especially as I'm a sassenach! 😂. Did my first -2° air temp swim a week or so ago and experienced incredibly cold cheeks (on my face) but I loved it!!! I swim breaststroke so do you have any tips please? Keep up the good wee wild swims n tips. Safe adventures. 💙🩵🥶

[@user-my9dx6dh5e]

New to the chanel. How you havn't got more subs is beyond me. The content is incredibly professional, light and just fucking great. Thanks alot dude.

[@Nayz13]

You need Ugg boots for when you get out! I swim in the sea through winter here in Australia, I bet you’d consider it warm 😂

[@ianlearmonth]

Loved the comments on why you do it. 👏 I've also noted the change in design of where the seam is on the varman wetsuit on the shoulder compared to the huub I have. How does that one compare to zone3 ??

[@mrtyanthropocentrist]

Great stuff! Snow running would be cool!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Will get it done once it snows!

[@Jim-K-Baker]

Is that a special wet suit specifically for cold water? How much heat dose the wet suit really retain vs just going in with swimming trunks?

[@jamesbox9874]

Looks chilly! I wonder if you have any insight into how you maintain general health and fitness when hit by the inevitable winter cold / flu. Do you plough through / take time to rest / focus on diet / (or do what I did and let it all go for two weeks!)

[@dcarson89]

I guarantee he does not get sick

[@jonnymacgr]

Fergus mate. You have a sick channel 🤌

[@ChrisLeFevre70]

Good video, been outdoor swimming for the last 24 months (weekly oct to March and twice weekly in the summer) but you getting in advice was very good, yesterday i was literally in shock for the 1st 5 mins of a 35 min swim, will apply your suggestions. Someone suggested deep heat on my face, I’ve now recognised that she isn’t my friend anymore!!😜

[@fmgardiner7959]

Awesome! I'll have to find some gloves and boots. I've always wanted to properly swim in cold water but never had the kit to do much more than 5-10 minutes (mostly in the process of getting in haha) without it getting stupid/dangerous. (At least in the temperature range I was trying).

[@kbkesq]

Do daily Cold showers/plunges prepare you for this sort of cold?

[@stuartgunn5350]

Class as always👌🏻

[@spin2explore]

Some top tips Fergus and well explained. Some other top tips to add: Use your HUUB LUUB on your feet before putting booties on, makes them easier to get off at the end. Adding a 3mm neoprene sleeveless rash vest adds another layer of warmth for the core but doesn’t restrict your swim stroke. Having a clamshell bag allows you better access to your kit when you come out so cold fingers aren’t struggling so much. Prepare a hot water bottle to stuff up your jumper for when you get out, that extra warmth is a ready made cuddle to ease the thawing process.

[@bptim42]

Fergus, do you do this on your own? Would like to know if there's some safety etiquettes open water swimmers use when they're out there...??

[@rich_in_the_lord]

Fergus mate 👍 thoroughly enjoyed this one. Your advice is invaluable to others who wish to do the same. For me personally I probably couldn’t wild swim on my own due to my disability but certainly would love to try with a guide beside me. 😊 it’s on my list of things to try! Regards as always, Richard 💙

[@oliviervanoeveren6348]

Was that sweet water? I normally swim in salt water, but one time I did try sweet water it seemed a lot more chilling still. (don't know if you experienced this as well) Aside from that; great video man, and you're funny to listen to xd

[@MrIcekoldkilla]

I love this series, thanks dude

[@ferguscrawley95]

Great to hear thank you!

[@lachlancook2711]

Excellent production once again

[@ferguscrawley95]

Cheers mate 👊🏼

[@AdamB9866]

I swam in winter in New Zealand with some mates, that first face plant in the water hurts like you wouldn't believe unless you've done it. A hack is put some deep heat cream on as well. It will wear off, but helps getting into the freeze haha.

[@tsi2568]

Amazing video! Keep them up!

[@bohsboz]

Excellent video so practical

[@petermaguire3948]

Great vid. I wear thicker gear than that in about the same temp. am a bit older sixty eight. today I did about a mile. i wore 7mm emersion socks, 2 by 3mm caps , 7mm mitts , two fingers and a thumb. high waisted, 3mm shorts, 5mm slinx wetsuit, and a 5mm sleeveless jacket. that lake takes no prisoners, listen to the body, never go off shore. If you have not done a similar distance ,under exact same conditions ,near the shore, if you are caught out from shore and the body shuts down, your arms and legs will start to loose control. drowning can all too easily follow. so be like the pilot when you get in the water, do your instrument check, feet , bum, hands , head, if any of them are cold at the start, don't go away from shore, and replace what ever item is faulty. my hands are never cold like his even at the end. my missus might disagree, but ill leave that alone. PS a bit of Vaseline on the face will protect the face a bit. and , silicon spray is good for tight gloves.

[@Narcopathic]

The "cluub" got you a like!

[@KaraChapman]

"Join the cluub." God I love you. 😂

[@ferguscrawley95]

😂😂😂 my finest joke on YT!

[@BibiCameron]

Dark water is my worse nightmare. I only would go wherever I can see the bottom 😂 this is bravery

[@Fr3akern]

Could you make a sort of buyer's guide for wetsuits and wetsuit gear, maybe specific to winter. There is just so much to choose from, so it can be hard to find out what is actually worth buying.

[@tgerule]

Love the video mate!!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@positivepush7503]

I have to ride to the beach for my swim, Ive starting riding with my wetsuit on, it's about 5 miles with a nice steep climb. By the time I get there im toasty. I also wear a helmet with a beanie underneath, a windproof jacket and shorts over the bottom of the suit. When I get there all I have to do is put my swim cap and goggles on and I'm good to go :)

[@SimplySammyK]

"the paranoia there is a shark underneath you" Yep! tis why I could never. just freak out not being able to see whats there, I just always hear in my head "We know more about space then we do the depths of our oceans" and I'm like "lol bye" xD

[@Asmrshorts990]

Nicely done!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks mate!

[@davesslowgt]

Awesome drone shots. Disappointed I didn’t see any lake monsters

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks man, I was pleased tbf.

[@jianxiong69]

I find all the gears - wetsuit, hat, goggles, gloves and shoes - are spoiling the joy of cold water swimming. I go skinny dipping whenever I can...😁

[@tomaspenas9812]

Looking huge! Vaseline also works instead of lube no?

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks man! It does but is not a kind product on neoprene long term!

[@jogray3183]

We are just starting on our open water adventure (intro swim last weekend was in water 2.5 degrees) and you video is super informative and helpful. Thank you for your content and your time putting it together, it is really helping a lot of us.

[@---.-----]

Tomorrow I'm going for a short dive in a temperature near 0. Not a sim, just getting myself wet in the waters of a near freezing lake and then getting out. Wish me luck.

[@philipchin3589]

top class video

[@madmatt5661]

Covering my hands and feet have made a massive difference cheap wet suit gloves and rubber beach type slip on shoes £7 each

[@pbjorklund]

Cluub. Ah dad jokes, I approve.

[@robertlauber9021]

What is your strategy for overcoming the fear of aquatic beasts?

[@poppetrurazvan3900]

Fantastic. Thhank you very much.

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks for watching!

[@courtalton]

Great video!

[@ferguscrawley95]

Thanks Courtney!