"Wild Swimming" with a 16 month old

I would expect you could measure the amount of time the little one could be in the cold water on one hand. my 6 year old in a wet suit last about 15 to 20mins before he is blue and shivering.

I'd be worried about temperature regulation and hypothermia too. How about you buy a good quality water thermometer and set yourself a hard floor below which you don't let her venture in? Also have a strict time limit. I know how difficult it can be to "sense" water temperature when the air temperatures are all over the place.

What DT78 says - we had to watch the kids when playing in the sea as they'd start to go blue. That said, my wife and now 'adult' daughter are in the sea most weekends these days, most of the year round (wetsuits, gloves and shoes when cold).

My last year my 2yo wouldn't go in the cold water for more than a few seconds. - in a full wetsuit.

Which I am ok with. She was on the paddleboard plenty but on walking into the water knew it was cold (19deg shallow purpose built swimming loch).

In an actual loch that more likely 12-16 degrees I'd expect even less time.

This year how ever . Can't keep her out. This was Saturday and she swam the width of the loch and back . She was cold when she got out due to the wind - but declared that she loved the cold water - and was visibly buzzing the rest of the day.

2 bare feet winter wet suit to prolong time in the water plus neoprene water shoes.

As others have said, they won't be in long. My 7 Yr old managed 15 minutes in the unheated lido at 20°c last week and was freezing. Can't imagine he would last long in anything less than that

Part of the joy of growing up in the old days as a kid was standing on the beach in Wales, in the rain, with the wind whipping around you, shivering and blue, having been dragged into the sea by your parents.

all the above, tempered by as a kid swimming in the north sea at Cullercoats and Seahouses while my grandad kept watch on the shore in a coat, hat and gloves, and we survived - by the skin of our chattering teeth. Never mind blue, we'd gone transparent by the time we got out.

We also used to go out in a little dinghy. We weren't mad though, grandad was tied off to the boat so we couldn't float all the way to Norway. I think it was about 60ft of parcel string, such was H&S considerations in those days.

I’d just be wary of the temperature regulation. When you’re a little older, not such an issue. But sub 2 years a) not very good at it and b) not great at vocalising.

I remember being made to 'practice' floating/survival in Windermere and Coniston aged 5-6ish (we did a lot of sailing as a family so it was entirely sensible). Two things to remember:

The lakes are F*****G freezing. They're at the bottom of step sided valleys, they don't get much sun, they're deep, and they're fairly stagnant. The north sea is generally warmer!

They get significantly colder away from the shore.

On the upside I can now accidentally dump myself off the side of a fast moving boat in winter into icy water and not go into shock and drown. I'm like Whim Hoff's less marketable cousin.

I’d just be wary of the temperature regulation. When you’re a little older, not such an issue. But sub 2 years a) not very good at it and b) not great at vocalising.

Yeah, and as the wee one gets acclimatised they are even less likely to notice how cold they are getting.

I'm all for adventures and good times, but I'm thinking 16 months is a bit young for these adventures...still plenty of time so no need to rush. However, I suspect they'll absolutely love it all once they get over the initial 'too cold!!!' feeling.

I'm pretty sure my dad was neglected this delight when he was a kid - he just doesn't do anything below about 30c...he won't swim in the adult pool as it is too cold so he does the smaller training pool as it is warm - but does widths as it is a tiny pool.

From memory, I do tend to recall it was always my mum who would get us into the water when we were kids!

At 16 months ours paddled in it or occasionally fell in. They were not swimming, and any proper dunking in an outdoor water situation would see them both shocked and shivering.

I would say it would be nearer 3+ that a child would choose to be swimming, able to vocalise how they are feeling and be able to regulate cold.

View this post on Instagram

Asclose as we got at 16 month and the water was scorchio that day. Again full wetsuit and life vest but didn't really go in water till the end and even then only for a couple of minutes before getting wrapped up in towels in The sun.

Purposefully never went near our natural lochs with her

Two year olds reaction to being in the sea - paddle in, turn around and exit. Even paddling like this he was cold quickly.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/1387/1311553176_cc667a6550_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/1387/1311553176_cc667a6550_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ZU44N ]101_4160[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr

Yeah ours was only really happy going in like that in the North sea that's for sure.

Saturday was the first time she's expressed an interest in going in outdoor* water of her own accord. And even then that's because she wants to be able to go the paddle board her self.

*Done swimming lessons weekly as done since 8 weeks and can swim as well as you can expect a 3y/o

Thanks for the replies all 🙂

All good advice, northernremedy and scotroutes describe well my concerns...she's only walking with a walker and her scuttlebug plus the only words shes knows are dada, mama, cat and cheese - so I still see her as a baby that has never experienced cold water - I'm sure when shes a little older I'll be a bit more like theotherjonvs grandad:)

Trailrat and Mattoutandabout - based on you guys I think we'll get her a little wetsuit and concentrate on paddling, splashing and being pushed around in the shallows on the SUP this summer and maybe get a bit more daring this time next year.

Thanks again all