How to start WINTER Swimming

Starting winter swimming with Colin Hill. When should you start? What's the best thing to wear? Top tips for getting started...

[web-wolf]

Cool video, Colin.
And to everybody: winter swimming is a very good investment.
I started winter swimming last October (2019) and I swam all winter long, once every week. Of course, it was pretty cold from time to time, but it gave me a lot of energy too.
When the Covid-19 crises emerged, all swimming pools closed down obviously.
Me and my mates could continue to swim on a daily basis in open water - because we were prepared for the cold.
Despite the crisis, we had a great spring. How cool is that!

[vhakim]

I started daily cold water swimming 4 days ago, in t shirt and bathing bottom, wool hat under my cap I am 74 years old, run six miles a day, and felt euphoric after my 25 minute swim. maybe its not cold enough to be considered cold, 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the water, 50- 60 degrees on deck. i am excited about using my pool through the winter, and I am hoping there are some anti-aging health benefits to cold water swimming.thank you for your clear instruction on breathing and relaxation,

[jianxiong]

Cool video, thanks! I go in river all year round (living in west of Ireland) and has never bothered with any gear - wetsuit, socks or even hat. Feeling the cold water brushing against my skin is a great pleasure to me. Whenever possible, I go skinny dipping (wearing nothing). 😀

[petermaguire]

Thanks for that. I swam for an hour is 7 degrees, with 7mm socks (ali eexpress 13 euro) 5mm suit (ali 110 euro) 2 3mm orca hats and a 3mm tribord gloves from decathalon) i have done it the other way but i prefer the gear. i get a great free style stroke going and love it.ps +65 years young.

[voyageoksana]

The best thing is cold swim or even snow jump after the sauna... and before ) I'm doing this on my channel too)

[Roxanne]

Really considering doing this. I found spending time outside in shorts and a tank top in the snow really beneficial for my SAD. I think swimming would do the same if not more.

[Icantfindanamewtf]

thanks for the advice man, a random google search, and you showed up ! gread advice !, you got a new subscriber much love from greece

[nanamartynova]

Thanks! Going to check the channel but this looks inspiring so far!

[mandalame]

Colin thanks for all this advice it has set me off on the path of cold water winter swimming. immersing. I am using my little pool at home. the emotional benefits are really beginnig to express. I lost my identical twin brother died in May last year of Pancreatic cancer. i began cold water swimming in the summer as a tribute to Geoffs timnacity and couage at the end of his life as he passed through from this Earth. The yoga ahs really helped me with the control of my breathing. I am swimming the lenght of a small mountain lake in the summer with a friend. I thank you again. It was 4 degrees in the pool this morning with snow on the ground and i enjoyed it. Rob.

[PortugueseGirl]

Hi Colin . I am portuguese and starting this activity. I been swimming for several years in swimming pools but ... Man, that chlorine is just killing me ... So, let's do this.

[richardm]

Great video Colin.
Me and my friend have started ( dipping )
a week ago and it really does give us an amazing buzz.

The only problem here in midlands is access to clean open water.

[Josh_Stuchbery]

I did the winter mile in Brighton (Melbourne) one year. It was an awesome experience. Except that I swam an extra leg of the course and came last. It was probably more like 2km 😅. They even made an announcement of who came last in the presentation, which was embarrassing but I kind of deserved it.
But yeah swimming in the cold water is a feeling unmatched by any other sport. It's hard to explain it to people who don't do it.

[ladyjrider]

Been prepping in the last two week's. Heading into autumn with winter in mind. Great video.

[NickvanderSluys]

Great tips man. Just started winter swimming myself 🙏🏼

[CrueLoaf]

Went in today. A mild day in October. The water temp in the river was 7c!

[theausertimes]

Hello friend. How are you...I remember you used to hit local gym first and then dive into the water...

[Reflektorx]

Thanks for the video. Motivating. I do winter swimming, started in summer, regularly until now.
The water temperature is now 6°C and I feel comfortable and it is nice. The only problem that has started now is when I come out of the water since the air temperature has gone below 0°C into minus degrees, cold wind etc. I experience that 'after swimming' when I change my clothes and try to get dry as a problem, not the swimming itself. Last week I got so stiff frozen hands that I almost thought about quitting. Any tips what I can do... ? Don't want to quit..

[astralchemistry]

I guess it's kinda the wrong time of the season to get started, but I'll give it a shot anyway. I will at least try to go for a dip and see how it feels. Having to admit that I was just about to buy a bunch of gear before I looked into swimming without the neoprene. Now I will first try to go without, because as I understand, the suit will just enable you to swim longer - it's probably not going to take away the feeling of cold. If it turns out I don't like it I have not spent any money on some expensive gear. Plus I don't really want to put on and off all of that suits while standing there like an idiot.
Anyways, I'm kind of curious how it goes when doing it regularly because even in the summer, I always feel cold when swimming (stereotypical warm showering... ). Looking forward to be going for a dip every day. XD

[vatanparvarov]

Hey Colin! Please can u share to us what is the name of this swimglasses? I like it

[WhiteRoseAdventures]

Great tips and advice :) I hope to get into wild swimming this autumn/ winter :)