The Wow Factor - Feeling Brilliant in Open Water!

In my article about the New Year Resolutions I set myself this year, I boldly stated that I wanted to "have more fun - & just say yes more' - with the first brainwave being to join an open water swimming club.

A bold statement for this time of year, but having read of the many benefits of this ‘magical activity’, I decided to say yes to myself (it was a great idea...) and joined the Serpentine Swimming Club without a second thought.  For the princely sum of £20 per year, I now get to swim in the Serpentine every day from 05:00-09:30 - not that I think I'll ever be there at 5!

After I joined, I emailed and asked what they thought I should wear for my first swim - I wasn't sure whether I should wear a wetsuit as I'm actually someone who takes about 5 minutes to build up the courage to get into a normal swimming pool as I think that water's cold.  “Just bring your trunks, a cap and goggles” was the response, followed up by “... oh, and as it's so cold, don't stay in for more than one minute maximum!”.  Great!

I picked a date that fitted in with work and decided I would be brave - go for an early swim just as the sun was rising.  As I walked through Hyde Park, slipping on the ice in the darkness and shivering in my hoody, fleece, woolly hat and gloves, my heart was pounding - I couldn't imagine how cold it would be and with each and every step the idea seemed more ridiculous.  Who was I kidding, how would I be able to swim in the icy water?

I arrived at the clubhouse in the darkness and went in to the (very spartan) small communal changing room to see a couple of lobster red bodies shivering as they dried off, a couple more getting ready to take a dip and a couple of people savouring hot cups of tea after having changed after their swim.  What was amazing, apart from how friendly and chatty everyone was, was that everyone, to a person, was smiling - really smiling and happy.

Changed - neoprene booties, trunks, cap and goggles in hand - I was ready and headed out.  Knowing it was my first time, and I'm sure sensing my apprehension, one of the old-hands came out to watch me.  “Careful on the jetty, it's icy,” he said, “but don't worry, there's no ice in the bit you'll swim as you're not the first today.”  Great.

At the end of the jetty, I was advised to get in slowly due to sudden-immersion syndrome.  ‘It's so cold, you'll hyperventilate to start with,” I was advised, “you need to get used to it and control your breathing before you swim off.  If not, you'll think your breathing, but you won't be taking any oxygen in, and then you'll be in trouble.”  Great.

Goggles on, heart pounding, I stepped onto the first step of the ladder at the end of the jetty.  This was it!  As soon as the water touched skin, I knew it was cold - very cold - in fact, colder than I had imagined.  I was determined to carry on though - not only did I want to see if it was truly 'magical', I had also told all my friends I was going to do it and they would want an update after it.  So, there was no going back… Breathing getting increasingly shallow, my feet finally touched the bottom of the lake - it was deeper than I had anticipated and the water was just under my armpits.

Wow! So cold!  The first thing I noticed was the cold, the second was the feeling of a thousand needles pricking my skin, the third was the cold, the fourth was that my breath was racing away with me and getting shallower by the second and the fifth was that my arms were raised above my head.  My arms getting cold was the least of my worries at this stage.  So many thoughts raced through my mind in the 30 seconds I attempted to acclimatise myself and get my breathing under control.  But, wow, I felt so alive!

Luckily, before I got in, I had been advised to swim to the red buoy (about 30-40m from the jetty) – which was great advice and gave me a focus.  Breathing (slightly) under control, my arms now under the water, I set off - initially breaststroke, as I thought that would keep me warmest, and then front crawl, to try and complete it quicker.  Before I knew it, I was clambering back up the steps and was soon back in the changing room.  In the light of the changing rooms, there was a bit of banter about the newbie having his first swim and folks seemed genuinely interested.  As I started drying my lobster red body, I was asked where my woolly hat was, I pointed to my bag.  “Right, put it on. Now. Please” I was commanded, which I gladly did as I hadn't thought about it - but knew the people that did this every day really know what they're on about.  

Dry and dressed, a hot mug of tea was placed in my grateful hands and I savoured the warmth.  As informed by another member, my body felt even colder 10 minutes after having got out than it had in the water - which is why it's so important to dry, wrap up and get a hot drink inside you so quickly.  

It struck me how quickly all the roles had changed in the small clubhouse and how people were constantly transitioning through the three stages - getting ready to swim, drying our shivering red bodies off after having got out and then drinking a cup of hot tea before heading off.  As we chatted, one of the other members said that swimming in such conditions is partly a physical challenge, but also partly mental.  The more you do it, the 'easier' it will become I was advised.  We also discussed the benefit of keeping a log detailing the temperature of the water and how far I swam to help remember whatw as achieved.

Like everyone I had seen from the moment I arrived, I realised I was smiling, from ear to ear, as I drank the hot beverage.  And do you know what - the smile stayed on my face for the rest of the day.  I felt revitalised, full of energy, mindful, positive and as though I had done something special that day (which I had) - and my skin seemed clearer and I felt healthier than ever.

So, was it a magical activity?  Yes! Yes! Yes!

I can't wait to go again soon - I think I'm hooked 😀 If you can, I'd strongly suggest giving it a go - you'll have something to look forward in your diary and it will be something that makes you feel positive and awesome!

My first log entry was: Water (35.0F/ 1.7C); Air (29F/-1.7C); Distance (70m)   

(When you think the sea in the UK at this time of year is 6.0C -10.0C and cold water from the tap is bout 4.0C, 2.2C (the ‘official’ club temperature on the day) is actually very - very - cold!)

My first log entry was: Water (35.0F/ 1.7C); Air (29F/-1.7C); Distance (70m)   

(When you think the sea in the UK at this time of year is 6.0C to 10.0C and cold water from the tap is about 4.0C, 2.2C is actually very - very - cold!).