Some hardy folk will contend that outdoor swimming is a year-round sport. For the rest of us, this is the time of year to move out of the pool to the great outdoors.
If you can swim for a mile, you can can swim outdoors. But it’s all about safety first because outdoor swimming is very different from swimming in the pool. There are no lane ropes to keep you on course, no signs to say where the “deep end” is. The banks of rivers are not ideal for holding on to if you need a rest, unlike the side of the pool, and it is considerably cooler than your average swimming pool.
However, the joy of being immersed outdoors will draw you back to it time and again. So, to ensure you get the most of your first exploration into wild swimming, follow these steps:
Start off slowly:
Don’t dive straight in. It will be cold, possibly colder than you imagined, and lough and riverbanks become a lot more slippery when you are desperately scrambling to extricate yourself.
Take a moment to check where you will get in and get out again. At first you will find yourself gasping with the cold; focus on breathing out and this will settle, then you can begin to swim with ease.
Never swim alone:
No matter how accomplished a swimmer you are,don’t swim alone. Few places for outdoor swimming are lifeguarded and even if they are, the lifeguards are the emergency service, not swimming teachers. If you really can’t find another soul to swim with you, then have a friend walk the shoreline as you swim close to the shore, within your depth.
Choosing where to swim:
Start with the familiar – your local beach or lough might be just the place. Check that you can leave your gear handy for when you get out again. If swimming in a river, check the power of the flow, this is also important in tidal areas. If there is a current and you are strong enough to swim against it, then head upstream first. If it is a tidal area, check with local canoe and kayak clubs as many give advice. If in doubt, don’t swim.
Start small:
If it’s your very first time in open water, then your goal is to simply get in and swim, any distance, even three or four strokes and you have done it. If your end goal is to swim a mile, then you will be planning many swims in the coming weeks and your strength and confidence will build quickly.
TBC training:
Total Body Confusion training is advocated by channel swimming and piloting federation pilot
Mike Oram
, and it can be applied to swimmers for any distance. The theory is that open water swimming is never predictable – weather, temperature, water conditions always change and the outdoor swimmer needs to be able to cope with these changes. By training yourself to swim at different speeds, in varying conditions, you will give yourself the best chance of coping if conditions are not ideal on the day.
Swim within your limitations:
Become familiar with how you react to cold, waves, how far you can comfortably swim and only begin to push the distances when you are ready. Again, if conditions are not the most favourable, make your decision as to whether it is safe to swim based on your own abilities and informed advice, there is always another day to swim.
After your swim:
Get dried and dress quickly as any warmth will soon disappear and you will experience the “after-drop” where your temperature drops considerably. Layer up in warm clothing and put a hat on.
Keep in touch:
Check with friends and on social media to meet other wild swimmers or Swim Ireland will happily point you in the direction of your nearest Open Water Club.
Maureen McCoy is a swimming coach and author of Wild Swimming in Ireland.
