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Looks like the lido will be back open 3rd Decemeber. It's a 50m outdoor pool near me, and since fracturing my ankle in august it has been somewhat of a lifesaver. I was getting abit nippy before lockdown in my speedos - if i stopped or lifted my body out the water for a few seconds then i would get quite cold which would build through the session.
I don't want to buy a full wetsuit - seems like a lot of faff and more stuff to haul around.
I have been looking at a 1.5mm long sleeve wetsuit top. What do people recommend and do you think my tactic is a good one?
I've got a neoprene vest from limo.
It's too cold for that now, so your idea makes sense.
Got a neoprene hat too. That was a good idea.
I've had one of these for the last couple of years - granted I don't swim very seriously but it's been comfortable for river use.
The aquasphere aquaskin stuff is good for open water. Nice and thin so good flexibility.
they do a long sleeve top.
I'm wearing a zip-up neoprene vest. That's much easier to strip off when cold and desperate to get dry. Water temps currently 6c.
I think you're overstating the faff involved with a swimming wetsuit - I've got one and it's not really that much effort to use - at most a couple of minutes to put on and less to take off. It's a lot thinner than a diving wetsuit so it'll easily fit in a normal backpack for transportation if that's a concern. Rinse off after use and hang it up to dry.
I've just taken delivery of a pair of Huub kick pants, couple those with an Orca (for example) top above then that'll add warmth.
I think you’re overstating the faff involved with a swimming wetsuit
Agreed. They take a wee bit of practice but once you get used to them they're quite quick to get on and off.
I have a 1.5mm neoprene top which I love. It's great for paddleboarding and swimming.
It is less hassle than my swimming wetsuit (which in my opinion is a faff to put on without damaging) but I do consider it an intermediate step. When it gets colder, you may need a full (swimming) wetsuit (unless you are Win Hof).
It's also great for using on a beach, much easier to rinse the sand off and pop on and off.
Mick
This morning...
Vest.
Neoprene shorts (Blue Seventy)
Socks and Gloves (Lomo Tri-X)
Loch möglich?
Oops. Keyboard had switched to Deutsch. Quite apt given Colin's view on whether swimming in winter is possible or not.
What temps are people down to? The local river is between 8-10°c depending on the weather.
hoping for sub 5° this winter
I am still sea swimming, well more like sea dipping as I just do 5 mins in there, cold water therapy really works post work out. I actually reckon my mind is so focused on survival in the water that any aches are history. The med is about 15 degrees, my mate reckons she ok be swimming all year round, I reckon Dec to March off. It goes down to 12 Deg.
Ta for post 're vest I ordered t decathlon.
Aye, Morlich.
Ducky says water temp is 7C. Given the lag in water temps dropping it'll be around 2C in March, at which point an ice axe might be necessary for access to the water.
I find Neoprene gloves,socks and hat with a normal pair of swimming shorts are a good compromise. Me and partner find wetsuits a faff, not practiced enough obvs! The Montane extreme mountain smock goes straight on once i'm oot.
Our (Calderdale) pond in the woods is 7 degrees and the hilltop res is 6.5. Managing 10 minutes/250 metres at the moment.
wow
Current set up for me
c skins legend socks
zone 3 neoprene shorts
decathlon 1mm neoprene vest with 2 mm neoprene hood (surfing top)
aldi bike neoprene gloves not sure these do anything
zone 3 aspire swim wetsuit
I sometimes sneak a 1mm long sleeve top on as well!!
Currently swim about 100-1200m in bassenthwaite not sure of temp but it hurts my head and face for first 300m, swim time is about 16-19 minutes depending on distance with a little bit of hanging around at bouys for the guy I swim with. could probably swim a bit further starting feel a chill by finishing but fine to strip off stuff after, wrap a towel around waist and put a buffalo on for the drive home
I'm currently still relying on my bioprene for 20min sea dips up here, but some who don't want wetsuits have said the zip up vest tops make quite a difference.
I find wetsuits a PITA, but then I've only ever had poor quality general purpose ones. My wife has a 3mm orca one she says is ace.
It's just that it takes longer to strip off a wetsuit in order to dry off and when there's a freezing wind coming over the loch, time is of the essence.
For the cold head, try fuller-face goggles and pull your swim cap down over the top of them. That little extra protection for your forehead can prevent the ice-cream headaches.
FWIW my neoprene shorts were primarily bought for the bouyancy aspect. I guess I got too used to swimming with a wetsuit in the warmer months.
I think I may have seen you on the cafe webcam, was it you and your good lady?
Wrapped up in dryrobes sometime around Noon!
Might have been, we got there at 11:30.
Wetsuits are ok, you just need something good to stand on and something to balance against.
have been wearing my alpkit terrapin recently as we have been doing 30-40 min swims. Will go back to the shorty soon as am not really getting cold.
Using a farmer John style swim wetsuit, a neoprene swim hat, and some old neoprene diving socks/booties.
Doing about 1-2 km, in about 30 to 40 minutes depending on tide and currents.
Southern end of the North sea - about 10 degrees at the moment.
Head and hands is where I feel the cold. Will be getting some gloves when I can figure out what to get.
Weirdly, fine with the exposed arms for now. Originally bought for an organised summer swim that required one and it was cheapest, but think it will be alright as long as I sort my hands out. Little fingers go numb mostly.
New to swimming this late into the year outside, but candy use pools so adapting slowly.