TOP 10 TIPS FOR OUTDOOR WINTER SWIMMING �

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Every year thousands of people, including us at Thames Baths, take to the water in the frostiest of temperatures.

Many are brave, some are bonkers, but all of them generally know what they are doing. We thought we’d

share our own tips for outdoor winter swimming to keep you safe, healthy and coming back for more.

WINTER SWIMMING

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#1�CHECK YOURSELF,�BEFORE YOU WRECK �YOURSELF�

One of the common misnomers of winter swimming is that anyone can do it, but although this is largely true it helps to know if your heart will take it. Before you take the plunge, make sure you are healthy enough to do it by visiting your doctor. As runners and swimmers, we know we are all fit, but we like to have a regular check up each winter to make sure we are fit for purpose and ready to swim in icy temperatures.

#2�FORTUNE FAVOURS THE SLOW �

It might seem like the best thing to do is to take a running jump and hope for the best, but this could be the worst thing. When you dive into cold water, your body will involuntarily inhale, meaning you suck in water rather than air. This can prove fatal. So if your friend tells you to “take a running jump” or a “short walk off a long pier”, you can now correct him as to the best thing to do – go slow, step by step.

#3�ACCLIMATISE YOUR BODY �Just as jumping in can shock your body, sometimes your body can have a delayed response to the cold water. It’s best to take your time and move in slowly, giving you the freedom to move later on. A West Ham supporting friend of mine tells me that when he gets in that he is forever blowing bubbles… but we are yet to try it.

#4�KNOW YOUR LIMITS�

Knowing your time limits is incredibly important, both on a safety level and also an embarrassment level. So far at 12º Matt has managed a slightly average 1min and Chris a somewhat more impressive 5mins+. Trying to understand how long you should be in the water is tricky, so probably best to set yourself a time limit and err on the side of caution (you can always increase it as you go)

#5�NO GEAR, �NO IDEA�

What the right outdoor swimming gear is depends on time of year, but we prefer to wear a good wetsuit and a swimming cap – may we (AHEM) suggest the beautifully designed Thames Baths swimming caps supplied by Speedo. The swimming caps stop the heat escaping from your body and the Thames Baths ones are a great swimming fashion statement too.

#6�STAY�CLOSE ��

Don’t swim out looking for the perfect spot to take a selfie. Stay close to the side as it can take seconds for your situation to change, which is never good, and being close to the shore or side will help you get out quickly, or help someone else get you out quickly. In fact…

#7�SWIM�TOGETHER�� It’s best to swim in cold water together. Firstly, there is a lot of camadarie with getting in the water and swimming so why not take a friend or enemy with you and see what happens. Secondly, it’s always good to keep an eye out for each other whatever your level and you can always have a little race.

#8�LAYERS. ALL IMPORTANT LAYERS. �

We love being snug, so who knows why we choose to swim outdoors in the winter. At least with the right layers we can get warm pretty quickly afterwards. Matt is prone to putting on thermal underwear, jeans, jumper, two pairs of socks, a fleece and a winter coat post-swim. Probably a good idea to pack a bag of warm gear, perhaps you could even use one of our marvelous Tote Bags to help with the load a little.

#9�LAYERS. ALL IMPORTANT LAYERS. �Hot Chocolate. Coffee. Tea. Mulled Wine. Once you are out of the water it is good to get something warm inside you to warm from the inside out. Our personal preference is for an extra hot latte, but anything hot will do.

#10�TIME TO CELEBRATE �And tweet it to us @thamesbaths or ‘gram it to @thamesbaths. A cold water swim is worth celebrating whether it’s your first or last time, and we’d love you to show us.

Thames Baths proposes the reintroduction of swimming in the River Thames. The proposals look to re-establish an intimate and playful link between Londoners and this historic lifeblood of the city. Our vision is to inspire people in cities around the world to reclaim their rivers for swimming and increased public use. We aim to launch a series of natural swimming baths which can be replicated and licensed in cities across the UK and worldwide, enabling people to enjoy swimming safely in their own rivers.

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