outdoor swimming - why does the water feel so cold today?

[@kandiiblakk666]

Yesterday, I struggled for the first time this entire winter.. I didn't swim....but i did submerge...I have been bold, brave, head strong and confident since winter began...but yesterday... Yesterday was not a good head day and I know already how this can affect my swims ..and yes...I am a lil dissapointed in myself...but I am also learning to listen to my body and that includes my head. Though I didnt 'swim' I still went in. And I am proud of myself. There will be times we maybe struggle more...but that is ok. The fact we went there is wonderful. The fact we perhaps got our feet wet is fantastic. The fact that we committed to any swim regardless of how wet we got, how long or how far we swam...it is a truly magnificent achievement...we should be utterly proud of ourselves!!! And we are blessed to have such an incredible support network around us!!! Thank you and cheers to you all 🤍

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It's great that you went in, just to 'be'. It takes a lot just to get wet some days, but you're right about needing to listen rather than fight your body. Cheers! 🏊😀

[@darrenbullman9450]

Great video, love the authenticity of it and you both laughing when you got in , that made me laugh. Great advice though and even for seasoned swimmers /cold water people , it can be challenging and to not take it as a given, and its okay to just sit it out or go for shorter , we are the Captains of our Ship ;)

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad you enjoyed it. We are indeed the Captains of our own Ship! 🏊😀

[@4URinfinite]

Brilliant insights into why we may feel the cold. Thank you.

[@jacquichapman8620]

Yes when wind is up I have a shorter swim, always prefer the sun out but it takes all weathers. Lovely to see you both laughing once in. I did begin to wonder why some days it feels so much colder even though same temperature.

[@emgnl]

Always enjoy your videos Rachel! Thank you

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

You are so welcome! Thanks for joining me 🏊😀

[@toesinthesea1829]

I find the wind chill a huge factor, plus how I'm feeling on the day. I'm swim in the North Sea off the Norfolk coast & when it's churning around like a washing machine I take a daily cold dip in my garden bath! Same temp over many days but each dip feels very different, some days feel colder or easier than others, it's very interesting to experience. Wonderful video as always & very relatable which is why I always recommend you to anyone new to OWS, thank you so much!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

So good to see everyone experiencing dips are very dofferent every time. Thanks for recommending my videos 🏊😀

[@marycharlebois6627]

I swim by myself, so I have nobody to compare the experience with. Sometimes when I get in the water and I think it’s really cold, I just tell myself to ride it out for a few more minutes in hopes that my body will adjust. Like you mentioned, I think the cold water swim experience is highly influenced by factors such as sleep, energy levels, and having eaten an hour or two prior to swimming. I laughed at you and Ali giggling away when you first got in… that just made my day!! Thanks for sharing this video today Rachel. Ⓜary🥶💦

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

The major giggles were set off by me falling off the end of the slipway! That was a surprise, especially as we were trying to ease in! Hope spring is just around the mountain Mary x 🏊😀

[@PoTSdysautonomia]

Great advice as always. Thank you Rachel xx

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for watching Simone!

[@cathpowers]

I've got my first open swim planned for Saturday. I'm prepared as far as neoprene bits go but need the mental preparation for the cold. 🥶 Good advice here, thank you.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I hope it went well 🏊😀

[@helenstoutohp4969]

Thanks Rachel, I really enjoy your videos. I swim in the sea off the North Yorkshire coast. It’s cold!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you, I bet you get great sunrises! 🏊😀

[@helenstoutohp4969]

We do, but we’ve had a lot of heavy seas recently. Hope it calms down soon.

[@mrguillemot]

So many things can change how the cold can effect you...the wind chill can really be a killer.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

So true 🏊😀

[@mrstiggywinkle]

So glad you posted this, my last dip in the solent i found SO cold! Nice to see you are human too! ❤😂

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It felt horribly cold! I went again the next day with some trepidation, and it was nothing like as bad!

[@kathrynmain2824]

I've missed dipping for a month as I've had covid, so I'm just a wee bit apprehensive about returning to the sea on Friday. Wish me luck 🙏

[@skippy7208]

I also missed all of February due to a nasty chest infection. I returned to the sea on Sunday and, if I’m honest, it was very cold and I found it quite tough - my breathing became a bit laboured fairly quickly so I didn’t stay in too long. I’m due to swim again tomorrow, I’ve now got my usual enthusiasm back, and I can’t wait! Take it easy, be kind to yourself and you’ll be fine!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Welcome back! I hope the dip was gentle and short and left you thinking 'I've missed this'? 🏊😀

[@LindaCHoward]

I feel like such a fraud watching this - I’m always in head to toe neoprene, but never again shall I comment on how cold my nose gets. Smashing video, thanks for sharing your swim 🏊‍♀️

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Sometime I'm in all the neoprene too. Getting in is what counts, what you wear is up to you - if anyone judges you it says more about them than you! 🏊😀

[@luisellavaleri6171]

Thanks for your suggestions! The last time I swam in the sea, on February 2nd, a freezing wind picked up as I went out and I felt really, really cold in my sleeveless toweling poncho! I also need to have a Red robe or another brand, but for me, buying it and having it shipped from England is too expensive! I can't find it in Italy, I put the money aside hoping to buy it for next winter. To persist with the icy wind and the snow on the hills I got a nice flu and now I'm waiting for the weather to be a little sweeter to go back to the sea, that sea that I love so much together with my furry dog ​​who loves the cold and which I only have of this large beach open to the winds and without shelters.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I think a weather-proof changing robe will make all the difference Luisella. Have you tried your local Decathlon store, they may have them, or you may be able to order one in by buying online and collecting in store... I hope you're feeling better now and I loved hearing about the your furry dog joining you for swims 🏊😀

[@pepe-mp7pu]

Good swiming dear peace love to you

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks!

[@racheltree7533]

I have found if there is a big difference between air temp & water temp it can make a difference with recovery after swim.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

That's interesting, I can't say I'd noticed that 🏊😀

[@Savi_I]

You enjoy yourself ♥️♥️

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I always try to. Enjoy the water 💦 😀

[@bernardinelermite1133]

I've not been wild swimming for long (started this summer and went on til today mid-Oct.) and I have noticed that my feeling of discomfort depends a lot of me feeling tired, weaker or more vulnerable that particular day. For me, "feeling low" is a no-go.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Absolutely right, sometime just being by the water is good enough.

[@swiminthesea6391]

Excellent video about a very interesting topic. Daily form is so important for individual perception of cold. Being someone who sleeps with the window open even in severe cold, who takes daily cold showers, I still find that it makes a big difference whether or not I have eaten properly, how stressed out I am and how much exercise I had on wether I enjoy the the cold water or find it threatening. Your videos still are my Tuesday highlight.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

So lovely to hear from you. There are so many factors affecting comfort in the water on a given day 🏊😀

[@Andre.R]

🥶🥶🥶wow! ❤

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Chilly indeed!

[@33Jenesis]

You inspire me to swim all year round. Even though I only do it in a heated outdoor pool, it still takes resolve to change and get into water when temperature is freezing :)

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Managing to swim year-round anywhere taks enthusiasm and motivation, a heated outdoor pool sounds like a real treat. Lucky you!

[@Franscampi]

Another great video! I swam 2 mornings in a row last week and the second morning seemed so much colder to me although my little swim thermometer was showing the same temperature both days?! Loved you both laughing as you got in, I swim alone but often have a chuckle to myself when it’s particularly cold 🥶

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Chuckling to yourself can sometimes be the only way to chivvy you into the water! I'm with you in spirit 🏊😀

[@astrid5870]

I really enjoy your videos, Rachel. The many tips and reviews are so helpful😊 Have you also made a video about waterproof watches with integrated thermometer? Do you have any recommendation, and are they worth the money? Many thanks

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Astrid! I haven't made a video about watches, but I use the Garmin Fenix 5s (bought used from eBay), and have also had the Garmin Fenix 3s bth of which read the water temperature and I found to be pretty accurate when compared with official sea temp readings. I only ever know the water temp after I've been in for a swim when I download it to my phone. I never use ot to gauge how long to be in, I do that on time alone. Below 10ºc I stay in 10 mins or less. 🏊😀

[@astrid5870]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Thank you, Rachel, that is very helpful to know🙂

[@jennydawson1281]

Love this video it made me laugh because I just thought exactly how me and my friend are sometimes that nervous laughing when it’s so cold but yes windchill definitely affects it .we swim in the lake last week and it was almost choppy we weren’t in long and one of our friends had decided she was is coming in just a bra and knickers cause she thought she take the opportunity and it was just good fun to laugh and feel the cold .but I did remember what you said about being next water and love just sitting by the sea last week when the waves were so high that we couldn’t get i, I love it when passers-by just tell us we’re nuts!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

The passers-by have an incling of what they're missing! I think given time passers-by become dippers! 🏊😀

[@SVBlownAway]

That looked bloody freezing! Now about that bacon, please send bacon care package!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I don't think it wound make it all the way to Greece. I'll eat one for you both instead and tell you how it tasted 😋

[@pippavanel4170]

❤

[@andrewb7186]

I swim almost every week. Two weeks ago I got in to my waist. Thought my parts were going to break right off and got back out. Hard to say why it was to much that day. The next week I was back in, swimming including underwater. All part of the adventure I suppose.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

That made me chuckle! Glad to hear you were back in ricght as rain the next week! 🏊😀

[@groundhogday37]

How long do you stay in the water in winter 😊

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

In normal swimwear with gloves and boots I stay in. I more than 10 mins when the temp is under 10°C. It’s all about the build up and being in nature for me.

[@sandyswims]

This weeks’s swim was cold for me with a easterly wind blowing. I find it is the back of my neck that feels unprotected from the wind. My head was fine as I had a lovely neoprene hat on. I think 🤔 some kind of neck protection would be good. Do you know of any products designed to do this?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

You can get a neprene hood which protects your meck too, I even have a rather fetching neoprene sleeve-less rashvest and hood that would do the trick!

[@sandyswims]

@@EverydayAthleteRach thank you I will see if I can find something similar!

[@chrisfigiel1150]

Hi Rachel just a query,now the temperature is dropping,is the air temperature warmer or 6:12 colder than water lake temperature,or doesn’t it work like that ,looking forward to your vlogs regards,Chris 👍

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Chris, at the moment where I am (the Solent) the water is still fairly warm, similar to the air temp. In a lake it is likely cooler I would think.

[@lizchilderley154]

😂