Swimming in cold waters
You're dying to go swimming, but the pools are closed and you don't have your own pool? Luckily, spring is just around the corner, it's getting warmer outside and you have a lake nearby that's tempting you? But the water is still cold and you might be respectful or even a little scared, but you're dying to go swimming? We know the feeling all too well and want to give you a few tips to help you dare to get in the water and have a good time. And you know what? You'll have a smile on your face afterwards. Try it, you won't be disappointed.
But first of all, we want to tell you that your safety and health are very important to us, so be sensible and listen to your body. You know your immune system best and it is not worth risking your health or life out of false ambition. Use your mind and take responsibility for yourself.
Now before you go into the water.
- Be prepared! Have a towel / warm coat and warm clothes ready.
- Warm yourself up! This will make it a little easier for your body to deal with the "cold water shock".
- Play it safe! Take a swimming partner, someone who can watch from the shore or at least a swimming buoy. If problems arise in the water, it is important that someone is there to help you out of the water.
- Do not dive or jump into the water! The cold water can be like a shock to your body, go slowly into the water so the body can get used to the temperature.
- Have the right equipment!
But what is the right equipment? It's going to get cold, that's for sure, but the right clothes can help you deal with the cold (at least for a while). To protect your body and keep the warmth in your body and extremities, be sure to wear a wetsuit, a neoprene swim cap or at least two swim caps on top of each other, neoprene gloves, and neoprene swim socks. Earplugs can help protect your ears and reduce disorientation, and goggles or a swim mask to reduce the painful feeling on your forehead.
Finally, you'll want to know how long you can stay in the water. We recommend, if the water temperature is below 15 degrees, a maximum of 20-25 minutes. But every body is different, so please take your body's signals seriously.
We hope our tips are of help to you and wish you a good start into the cold water. Have fun and take care of yourself! (..the good thing is, it gets better from time to time.)
