Winter Swimming Top Tips and advice for beginners.

Seasoned Winter Swimmer Colin Hill provides some top tips on outdoor cold water swimming.
Colin has taken part in several Winter Swimming World Championships around the world and lives next to Ullswater Lake, in the English Lake District where he runs a open water swimming company 'Ullswater Swim Place' and takes people swimming in open water year round.

[AleksanderHeba]

Good movie about basics! Best regards from swimmable Gdansk Bay. Water 3C, Air -5C to +4C in winter season. I agree: best way to control your body is to swim "naked", without neopren gloves and socks.

[mikejcoops]

A top tip of mine is to cycle to the swim spot if feasible. I have the benefit of having the Highgate ponds and lido very close to where I live in North London which are real oasis' in this city, especially at this time of year and I try to start everyday off with a swim where possible. Personally i find that once it gets below 8c I need to wear gloves and socks, mainly because I know I will need to get back on my bike and cycle home. Like you say Colin, I avoid a hot shower, I get out get dressed as quickly as possible then I sit in the cafe with a hot chocolate (and slice if cake) and wait for the shivers to pass or at less subdue, I then get on my bike and cycle 3 miles uphill home and by the time I arrive I feel amazing for the rest of the day :D

[lmnts-wildswimming]

I also prefer no wetsuit and a shorter dip in winter, I’m always alone in winter and sometimes in remote places so I never really push it in terms of time....I just love the ritual...even if I’m only in the water a few minutes.

[bunnyserenaf]

Thanks you! I find that focusing on my breathing is the thing that helps me the most :)

[jackiegrant]

Hi and thank you for your fab video. I’m 61, just started taking cold showers two months ago, last week I went into the sea, I live by the Atlantic, without any huffing and puffing, I’m sure the showers prepared me both mentally and physically. Hoping to get a small group together to go on a weekly basis, as you said, safety in numbers. ❤️🏊‍♀️🌊

[traceycrossman]

Tips for cold water swimming are always a help Thank you.

[peterkappen]

I loved this video! It was super inspirational. I've been winter swimming for the first time this year in California and it's a lot warmer than 6.3c but still challenging and rewarding.

[jeffngill]

Hi Colin, this is my first winter of wild swimming and I’ve found your channel that is fantastic. My wife my sister and I swim at Ebchester in the river Derwent, a place I know you know well. Big shout out from us at consett.

[swimlife]

Great Video Colin . I have always loved swimming . Started winter swimming 2 years ago . For some one who can not stand being cold, I have surprised my self and loveee it . I watched your other video IWSA that is how I saw this one. I do crawl 500 meters now in skins 7.8c at mo . Would love to try do the IWSA but that is really cold .

[prucomben]

Thanks for this, I did a little bit of open water swimming in the summer but am about to go for my first winter swim today. I'll try and remember all these tips!

[Rojagray]

Great informative video, thanks a lot Colin. I live near the Black Sea, and it's definitely getting colder now. As a relative novice, I recommend a gently shelving spot where you can wade into the water, rather than be fully immersed immediately. Reduces the shock!

[gonnabeayogi]

Just done my first wild swim today …. It lasted all of 3.2 seconds but I did it!!! Woop 🤣

[heathermckenzie]

Thank you so much for this great, informative video. Very inspirational

[sparkyhughes]

I've been sea swimming all through the current cold snap . I stay in 15minutes on average just in my shorts . I find the key is to go regularly as it gets less difficult

[twooneagain]

Great video, thanks so much for the tips. 👍🏼

[fz]

I went to swim today, the temperature here is about 18 degree, just as you said, when I first get in the water, I couldn't help breathing fast, I'll try your way of splashing my face first then put my head in the water and blow out to get used to the cold water. Thanks!

[quenar]

20 mins at 13 degrees yesterday and I got hypothermia... it was exiting and after shortening time down to 15mins - adaptation yey! It's best to b prepared this might happen tho. Bananas, down jacket and tea make the trick :)

[jonesfamilyjones]

Just started winter swimming . 10 mins in 4.5 today. Started at 13 degrees a month ago. Your body will adapt if u train it

[adaptivo]

I love Colin's videos. Super sensible. I am 4 swims into this new obsession. I go for a 15 minute no-wetsuit dip on a safe sandy beach. Afterwards I shiver violently for 5 minutes but then am fine. I leave a hi viz bag on the beach as my marker and swim parallel to the beach just waist deep. Tomorrow I'm going to try running on the beach after t heat up, as up until now I've swam with a guy who just ambles to and from the car! I'm looking into a wetsuit as I would like to do both shorter "tolerance / suffering" swims with longer, actual fitness swims.

[freebie]

Pre-filled hot water bottle, wrapped up in your towel and then in a cool bag to keep it warm. When you come out you get a nice warm towel .