Comments on: North Sea Swimming Lessons

By: WildWill

WildWill — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:42:36 +0000

You dont know me but i see you are doning the great north swim … me to … i hope you are liiking forward to it as much as i am.

Im also doing the great north run that you have on your list (but only as a pacer for my wife and he mate

By: Runner Leana

Runner Leana — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:49:14 +0000

Chap style wetsuits, what an interesting concept! I have no open water experience so therefore no advice, but best of luck!

By: Adele

Adele — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:17:39 +0000

I have that lovely ‘Wild Swim’ book and I think it mentions that they now have wetsuit sessions on the Heath, maybe worth a look so you have a few options.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:24:30 +0000

Try Heron Lake and/ or Liquid Leisure too…. good places for OW swimming. Tips on getting used to the temp;
Go in slowly, start only with your legs
Dip hands in and get them chilly too…. do this for a min or two
Splash some water over your face
Take the plunge but flip and float on your back for a bit and get some water into the suit (nice cold rush that one)…
Flip back over and put your face in
Start to swim….

Works for me – did Heron Lake end of April when it was about 12 degrees… brrrr

GOOD LUCK!

By: warriorwoman

warriorwoman — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:37:54 +0000

Bobbing like a cork did of course form quite a large part of this weekends activities, that’s the amazing thing about wetsuits – you can just float.

Emma – if there had been a midpoint bar I would have lingered for some considerable time but they haven’t grasped the concept of early morning drinking in the bay of Bridlington.

Adele – good suggestions. I’ve been to the women’s pond but I don’ t think they allow wetsuits and it’s feels odd to swim properly amongst the ducks. The Serpentine is a definite option though.

By: Speed Racer

Speed Racer — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:04:55 +0000

Was there actually any SWIMMING involved in this dip, or did you just bob like a cork for 1,500 meters?

By: Adele

Adele — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:39:47 +0000

Could you try practicing somewhere like the ponds at Hampstead Heath or the Serpentine? Calm water…

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:27:04 +0000

I am terrible at swimming… could only manage from the edge of the pool to the middle of the pool (ie the pool bar) when I was on holiday, then I needed some light refreshment (read alcohol) to rejuvenate me. And I hate getting my hair wet because It goes all curly and frizzy.

Whereabouts on the coast were you?

By: Earthwoman

Earthwoman — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:55:09 +0000

[...] escaped to the coast for most of the bank holiday to get some essential swimming prep under my belt, but today I was free to catch up on some much needed admin on the plot. All the [...]