swimming: how to get your face into cold water

[@TheFunfairfan]

Absolutely loving watching all your vids !!! Your swims Looks so peaceful and exhilarating at the same time

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Glad you like them! I just live being in, on or around water. Thanks for watching!

[@ainenicgiollachoille9407]

I wear two caps plus an ORCA neoprene head band, which really keeps my head and ears warm and dry. I love the popcorn idea! Great haircut, Rachel!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks Aine, I feel more me with short hair! Double hats are the way forward. Summer’s here when I’m down to just one! 🏊‍♀️😀

[@sarahgiles7542]

I managed to get my face in for front crawl about a month ago. Coping the ice cream headache was definitely a combination of swim hats and mind over matter! I also learnt about the mammalian dive reflex - slowing your heart rate which clashes with the cold water on your body trying to raise your heart rate - hence the importance (I found) of getting your face wet and relaxing before going into full on crawl. This out door swimming lark is like yoga for the mind...! 😆

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for sharing! It certainly is like yoga for the mind, I love the challenge, I also like to look at what is in the water too, so interesting!

[@SoffiaTiaMaria]

I would love for you to do a non-talky swim with you and your camera and just the noises of the water, like you've said in one of your previous videos the camera angle is emersive and I love that noise soo much, it would be like a mini meditation to watch for a while when actually stuck at a work desk with a thousand things to do! ❤️ Love your content and wish you all the best!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I will have a think about this idea to make sure I get the right location. I have a friend who often shoots these kinds of videos - Juliet Turnbull kzbin.info/door/1JXrZm69cHbT8KOut4ncLg

[@jillvallance4126]

You're right about the cold easterly winds: it's horrible at the beach to go swimming. I've missed it. But great tips about getting ones face in. I've only been swimming since December, so putting my face in the water is my next challenge 😊. Lovely surprise at the end of the film with the popcorn. 😀

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

The popcorn was delicious, I’ll be doing that again! Take it easy getting your face in, it will come as the water warms up. Enjoy!

[@marycharlebois6627]

WOW... so much about this video to love 💗 Such amazing scenery, love the walk along the trail at the river’s edge, and the sounds of the geese (or swans?) flying overhead. That looks like a nice little river too... AND... that popcorn cooked fresh on your Bush Box stove... what a treat!! I love the look and functionality of that little stove. Warm popcorn is my new favourite apres-swim snack, especially since the ice has just come off the lakes here in the Pacific Northwest (BC, 🇨🇦), and the water is bloody cold ❄️🥶🧊. I use similar techniques as you Rachel... earplugs and 2 hats. I wear a neoprene skull cap and then a silicon one over top. Like you said, the first 5 minutes are the worst, and then things are manageable after that. Great job to take on the challenge of a10K swim in September... very admirable!! Sorry for the delayed response to your video today. There’s a wildfire burning near my home and we don’t have power, water, or the internet. I can access these luxuries in my classroom at school (in town). The fire is not a threat to our house or property, but this morning one family did lose their home... and wow... does that put things in perspective. Here I was whining this morning about not have my morning coffee. It’s been a stressful day, and I’ll look forward to my next swim for sure. Thanks for all the awesome footage in this video Rachel, and of course, the practical tips to keep our brains from freezing 🧠🧊🏊‍♀️

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hey Mary I hope the wildfire is under control, that must be such a worry. I didn’t realise it was something you have to worry about up there in PNW. It was a lovely spot for the swim and quite a bit of wildlife about too. They were swans honking overhead. It’s a spot I often see kingfishers in too, not this time though probably too noisy with people on the river banks. Stay safe my friend and enjoy your swimming

[@marycharlebois6627]

@@EverydayAthleteRach We don’t usually have a wild fire problem up here, but in the past few years we have had some real scary surprises. Last week’s fire was the result of a wind storm. A tree came down on the power line and took out the transformer on the power pole. It blew up and started the fire. This happened about 30 km away from us, closer to town... it was a real mess. PS - I loved the swans and the popcorn... keep it coming.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Wowzers, wind, trees and powerlines, what a horrible combination! Stay safe!

[@Nomad4490]

Looking forward to hearing more your great content including your 10k swim, bucket list item for me. Thank again for the content

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you for joining me. The 10K swim is very achievable. The Outdoor Swimming Society has a training plan for 10K which I’ve followed each time and it really prepared me well stepping up a little each week until going to the event and really enjoying it with the confidence to know I’d trained well and would definitely make it. They have a couch to 5K plan on their website which is worth a looksee too. Give it a go, you’ll surprise yourself! 🏊‍♀️😀

[@tempermental2008]

Love your videos Rachel, thank you for sharing x

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

What a lovely comment! Thank you!

[@tempermental2008]

First dip today, went brilliant thanks your tips and advice 😍 loved it !

[@tempermental2008]

Hi Rachel hope you don’t mind but is that cotton wool you used to help light the fire x

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

@@tempermental2008 yes cotton wool in Vaseline

[@tempermental2008]

@@EverydayAthleteRach thank you so much for taking the time out and replying, much appreciated 🙏

[@emmabagleyruns]

yep neoprene hat+latex hat, foam ear plugs, nose clip. Love the popcorn idea.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

All the gear! I don't do a nose clip though as I breathe out through my nose. Popcorn was corking! 🏊😀

[@suegriffiths9764]

I've found using quite large swim goggles that cover more of my face and wearing a cap or hood eliminates ice cream face in winter. Living on the south east coast of Australia however, the water is never going to be as cold as what you call "chilly". Dipping my face in the water before a swim also helps the body adjust. Thank you for your inspiring videos.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Absolutely, gently does it when restarting face in swimming! I hope you’re enjoying the water 🏊‍♀️😀

[@swiminthesea6391]

That was a lovely athletic adventure to share. I really enjoyed the river which looks similar to mine. Which one is it? Like Aine I wear two silicone hats and the orca neoprene headband, which really is very good for keeping the forehead and ears firmly covered and warm. I've been putting my face in the water for short periods all winter, so now with temperatures around 10°C I can actually swim regular front crawl and breaststroke without problems. My last two swims were going towards fitness swims, but I can only do them without gloves. You are really good at presenting these videos in a very natural way. It's like being there with you. I'm already looking forward to the next video.

[@marycharlebois6627]

Hi Sea Swimmer, I totally agree 💯... Rachel does an awesome job of presenting useful tips and info along with lovely scenery and lots of great nature shots. I, too, find it hard to do any type of fitness swimming with gloves on. They just seem so clunky and cumbersome... but I do love my warm fingers. Have a great day, and a great swim... whenever that may be.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks for joining me. I’m looking forward to joining you for a real swim in September. Great that you have kept putting your face in over the colder months - makes for an easier transition.

[@swiminthesea6391]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Does that mean you are planning a trip to Germany? That would be fun.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Whoopsie! I replied to the wrong comment! I would love to join you for a swim in Germany, but that September swim is in Scotland! Sorry about that!

[@swiminthesea6391]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Don't be. I'm sure Scotland will be much more enjoyable in every way. I'm quite envious.

[@Mythtrekker610]

Love the energetic intro.. ;) and the butterfly as well. Popcorn excellent idea with the sieves, though one was aggressive to teh camera. ;)

[@marycharlebois6627]

Hey Richard, we have the same taste... I, too, loved the energetic intro, the butterfly, and the popcorn cooked in the two sieves 🏃🏻‍♀️🦋🍿. Popcorn is my new favourite apres-swim snack but I make mine at home... it’s warm, fluffy, and so satisfying. Have a great day.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Ha! Thanks Richard, the intro just happened, I didn’t really think about what I was doing, and it seemed like a bit of fun!

[@jennyreid6218]

Another fun, informative video and great timing. I’m going to start putting my head in the water now it’s warmer and it’s been so useful to know how to ease into it and what sensations to expect. Thankyou 👏😁

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Good luck with the head habituation Jenny. It’ll go swimmingly if you just take your time and don’t get frustrated by it not being instant. Think face in, admire the scenery, face in, was that a kingfisher, etc 🏊‍♀️😀

[@timgriffin2664]

Great job on the river clean and loved the popcorn trick

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Might make popcorn at work too. I loved it!

[@gretelstonebridge2323]

Loved watching peacock butterfly and flowers! I try and acclimatise like you. My goggles get misty which is a problem! How cool is 🍿 idea!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Gretel, you may find this video about how to stop goggles fogging useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sICplZiva9iJha8

[@juliawilbey7561]

Thanks for the tips! I've struggled with this ever since the lake has been open again.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Just keep plugging away, it will come little by little.

[@m.j..g7186]

I love your videos, very practical and informative. Your a real gem, like your non pretentious manner, very cute lady!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you for watching and for your lovely comment 🏊😃

[@melissarance3460]

Great video, been really struggling get my head in the water, mental block, will definitely give your tips a go, not heard about the tongue one, so something to try.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Have you had the weather to give it a go yet Meilssa? Good luck, just keep plugging away a stroke or two face-in at a time. 🏊😀

[@Daveonarave]

Looking 'red hot' in that cossie and hat Rach or maybe red ice cream cold! The warmer and sunnier the weather gets, the more blissful outdoor activity of any kind is. But can be challenging to swim in nature in the Spring as water is still nippy from the winter. I remember struggling to grasp that in geography at school! Some poor kid lost their football but awesome that you litter pick - so do I in local parks and gardens with a face like thunder as I do as it disgusts me. Amazing you prepped popcorn. Ironic as your videos deserve watching with popcorn - I'm going to do that one week :D

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It is beautiful swimming in spring, the water is warming up and the plants and trees are bursting with colour. Popcorn was really nice too and no washing up afterwards!

[@begun65vdal5]

Thanks for your video. This time I can report that I did my 1st dip for this year with a friend of mine. In one of our nice Berlin lakes. She and me wore Neo- was really necessary... Todays topic I also ecperienced when trying front crawl... especially unpleasant cold around my eyes. Now Im desperately searching for my big goggles. Also tried the front crawl water ball style- head above water. Neo booties are a must I still have to buy. I liked the Swan flying in although the dad can be rather aggressive when having kids.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I wear plenty of neo whenever I feel like it, it’s all about the swimming for me. I don’t want to be miserable and feel cold. Just keep trying to put your face in and it will come.

[@Морж-м4л]

Очень интересное видео! От меня огромный дружеский 👍 140

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Я рад, что тебе понравилось

[@ghengis430]

Great stuff! Love your new hair too. Luckily Gurnard has been fairly sheltered in the last week, freezing at home in Cowes, just round the corner...relative calm. Not sure I'll ever manage 10 k, but I've started extending my swim time, doing double what I was in the previous months. Forgot my shoes today, and narrowly missed some broken bottles on the sea wall. Was ouchy getting in and out!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Alison, it takes a lot of tenacity to go from home where it’s cold to get in knowing it will be in the lee, Glad to hear you were rewarded with good conditions! Have you looked at the Outdoor Swimming Society coach to 5K - looks like a great programme that could be worth a follow..

[@ghengis430]

@@EverydayAthleteRach ill have a look, I think I swam 5k on the spot yesterday, the current was so strong! I could feel myself floating backwards if I paused! 😂

[@Tomridesandruns]

Lovely video with some great tips!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you for watching, chuffed you enjoyed it!

[@paulinew8680]

Fab video - love the popcorn. Off out now to buy two sieves LOL

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Have you had a crack at the popcorn yet? I love that there's no fat and no washing up involved!

[@paulinew8680]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Yes but in the Garden on the BBQ. Tasty and as you say no fat....but I did wash the sieves :-)

[@TheWildNative]

Great tips as always and fab idea swimming in a river instead of the sea because of the wind!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It works a treat as a treadmill too and the water is fairly clear. Let’s look at a date for our diaries..

[@TheWildNative]

@@EverydayAthleteRach That would be amazing!!! Lets do it. :)

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I wouldn't mind it being a tad warmer, let's take it to messenger/insta messeges..

[@TheWildNative]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Fantastic!!!

[@junewong5119]

Loved the sieve popcorn - are the sieves a pain to carry? And the cottonwool vaseline firelighter 🔥 - have tried that myself, it's a good 'un! I could not travel to swim in lockdown so kept cold water immersion going in a tub n the garden - so head out of the water. Funnily enough I was able to swim face down front crawl when I got back in (March) - maybe I have thick skin?!? Would love some insight into your training for distance - do you do it all outdoors, or some pool sessions? Please take us with you on your fitness journey 🙂

[@marycharlebois6627]

YEASS, fabulous request June... I, too, would love to follow Rachel on her fitness journey for the 10K swim. Let’s follow along together. I admire you for keeping up with the cold water immersion in your garden during lockdown. I’m from the wilderness of northern 🇨🇦 (the Pacific Northwest, BC) and the ice has just come off our lakes so the cold water and warm apres-swim popcorn have been so much fun to enjoy during this past week. I’ll be seeing you here in the comments as we follow Rachel along on her training for the 10K... very admirable... Bucket List event for me. Have a great next swim... whenever that may be 🏊‍♀️🥶🍿🧊

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Great news that your head went straight in when you got back outdoors, super to not have to work at it! Thanks for asking about the fitness swims June. I generally do it all outdoors using the Outdoor Swimming Society 10K swim programme which is on their website. I’m not great at drills but may try harder this year!

[@katysmith3571]

Rachel what is the make of your goggles? I’m struggling to find a decent pair to use outdoors. Yours look great in this video!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I use DHB Fury goggles from Wiggle. Whenever they're not in stock, I sign up to the stock alert...

[@katysmith3571]

@@EverydayAthleteRach thank you! I’ve put my name down for notification when they are back in stock.

[@katysmith3571]

@@EverydayAthleteRach I'm new to wild swimming and am loving working my way through all of your videos. I wonder if you could do a video specially on goggles there are so many to choose from and I've made so many mistakes! The ones you are wearing as you say are out of stock currently. Is there another one you could recommend as an alternative?

[@jamie-leedavidson3043]

Ha ha you and I both do the same to get our heads reacclimatised !! X

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

How's the head acclimatisation going? Softly softly get a warm head into cold water! 🏊😀

[@jamie-leedavidson3043]

I’ve taken to putting Vaseline on my face to help !! It’s worked but you have to use a flannel when you get to get it off ! We also shouted at some tik tocker other day she was going to let balloons off into the sky she got 1m likes on a post or something Becs and I went mad and I feel like all I’ve done is pick up kids plastic toys and broken glass this week !! X

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Picking up litter is disheartening, well done on stopping the insta release #thoughtless

[@patriciapowers3751]

I like to splash water on my face in preparation for the full submersion. The tongue over the soft palate is not a magic bullet but it certainly helps. I didn’t know what you had in the sieve until it popped and then I cracked up. What a great idea. Glad you had a sunny day. Did you keep the raft?

[@marycharlebois6627]

Yes Patricia, I, too, was wondering what was the final outcome of the raft?

[@patriciapowers3751]

@@marycharlebois6627 we need answers 🥸

[@marycharlebois6627]

@@patriciapowers3751 💯Yes... awaiting the outcome...

[@patriciapowers3751]

@@marycharlebois6627 I won’t rest.....

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I do still have the rubber dinghy, I’m hoping to repair it so Cookie can ride in it while I swim. I’ll certainly feature it if that turns out to be the case! 🏊‍♀️🐶😀

[@annaanula7198]

Thank you Rachel for great video. I have just started to watching you. And absolutly love them. Last year was my first year of winter swimming and now I love my water adventures. I am leisure swimmer , mostly with my head above water and swimming usually breaststroke. I have started thinking about long distance swimming. I would love to do next year 10k Dart swim ( I need more time to practice, I can currently swim 2k with current in the sea, struggle aganist current and 2k in the lake) . I have saw your swimming cap 10k dart swim. Are the any people swimming there breaststroke ? and is any restriction time to do 10K dart swim?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Anna, I don't think there's a restriction on time for the D10K. You always start it at high water and swim down stream with the ebb tide, so you do get an assist. There are a few people who do it breast stroke. If you were going to I would say best thing would be to make sure you have a wetsuit that is suited to breaststroke swimming, or it will be a bit less enjoyable as ther is too much buoyancy in the legs for most people doing breasstroke. Good luck with starting the training, it's really doable if you follow the D10K training plan on the outdoor swimming society website.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

You might find this video of interest: My Dart 10K (2019) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIitdIRmm6qdbck

[@annaanula7198]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Thank you very much Rachel for your answer. I am glad that I have found you , so much fantastic advice on your channel. I love your entusiazm for water. Happy swimming.

[@PoTSdysautonomia]

This is a great video Rachael. I’m not a swimmer but can save myself with some breast stroke! My question is….. can I teach myself front crawl or should I get lessons? Putting my face in the water is the issue! I have a mental block and panic when my face goes in! Any tips? Xx

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I taught myself front crawl in the pool using these videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLN1uwpFCUEh1tkfM4zYZsIZQmKgvwYpdB I managed to swim the Dart 10K using the stroke. I have since taken some private lessons and they have made the stroke much more efficient. Good luck!

[@caffeinekitty8983]

Tried putting my face down in the sea last weekend - could only last a few seconds but hopefully will be able for more this weekend, will try some of the tips you shared here - I don't wear a swim hat but will try the ear plugs. I think I need to get a nose clip as I always end up with water in my nose when I put my head under - any recommendations?

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose gently and almost continuously when my face is in the water (bubble, bubble, bubble, on each stroke then breathe) so the water has no way of getting in. Try the breathing without swimming first. Stand but dip your face in to breathe out and gain cm disenfranchised that it works. Good luck

[@ajhardy894]

I struggle with my chin more than my forehead, once it has frozen I am fine!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I love that you just accept it and wait for it to freeze! Keep on swimming 🏊‍♀️😀

[@karolpierwszy]

:O pop-corn

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

🍿😋

[@Морж-м4л]

Привет от друзей с Украины 🇺🇦

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Спасибо я надеюсь у тебя все хорошо

[@richardanderson4796]

Hi that looks a lovely spot in the river

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

It’s a beautiful spot.