Wild swimming: Before you start in the Salish Sea

 

February 1, 2023



By Lynne Beebe

Tips to consider before starting a practice of cold water swimming

I am far from being an expert on cold water swimming, but have learned much from my experiences over the past three years and from reading studies and stories about cold water swimming around the world and throughout history. Here is some of what I’ve learned and some helpful resources if you want more information.

Safety

Without guidance, I had already felt that the best way to enter the cold Salish Sea was slowly and with intention, breathing deeply and calmly, with my head above the water. This was backed up by my research, which taught me that jumping into cold water and submerging one’s head can lead to “cold water shock” making one gasp and swallow water and potentially drown. Cold water reaching one’s inner ear speeds up hypothermia as well.

I also swim parallel to the shore, staying near the depth where I can reach bottom. I almost always swim alone, but I do not recommend this for someone starting out. (I am a strong and experienced swimmer and very comfortable in salt water.)

It is very important to gradually increase one’s time in the water. I started out with a 30 seconds immersion and built to 15 minutes over about seven months. Some people prefer to bob quietly in the water, while others, like me, prefer to swim.

Gear

I bought a wet suit early on in my swimming, but found it was hard to swim in and too buoyant for me, so I went back to swimming in a bathing suit, neoprene booties and swim gloves. In the summer, I don’t wear the booties. This year I finally splurged and bought a swim robe (very British) that keeps me warm on my to the beach and back. I wear a beanie when it’s cold or rainy.

Routine

Every day I get my gear on and go down to the beach around high tide, with only the expectation that I will put my feet in. I always end up going in, staying a minimum of a minute and a maximum of 25 minutes (in the summer). I swim in all kinds of weather: snow, wind, rain and sun. Each type of weather has its pleasures. I love watching snowflakes dissolve when they hit the water; playing in the waves makes me feel like a kid; raindrops create beautiful patterns on the water’s surface.

My usual swim is between two and five minutes in the winter. I walk out to mid-thigh level, turn around and slowly breath out as I lay back into the water. I swim along the shore for as long I want and then head back to the beach, where I dry off a bit, put on my robe and head back home. I rinse off with the garden hose, which extends the cold water experience for a few more minutes.

After a swim, I usually head out for a jog, which warms me up in about 15 minutes. I learned early on not to swim too late in the day, since it makes it hard to warm up before bedtime. If I’m really cold, I will take a warm shower.

Personal benefits

I noticed right from the beginning that I laughed once I was in the water. I found that the unpleasant sensation of the cold water only lasts about 20 seconds and if I stayed relaxed, I could experience the cold but not be stressed by it. My vision is very clear after I leave the water and I always feel happier than when I went in. But there has been no miracle cure for my arthritis or tendinitis!

Intrigued?

I’ve encouraged one friend to join me in these swims and she goes in several times a month now. If you are interested, I recommend waiting for warm weather to start your cold water swimming. The water is around 46 degrees in the winter at Snee-Oosh Beach and warms up to the mid-fifties in the summer with a layer of much warmer water on the surface on sunny days. If you have questions, you can reach me at [email protected].

Resources

General Info: bbc.com.

My Octopus Teacher: npr.org.

Local water temperatures: watertemp.org.

Gear: us.passenger-clothing.com.

 

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