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SWIM ZONE
Open Water Swim Coaching
COLD WATER TIPS
WATER TEMPERATURE GAUGE
It’s very important to know what temperature of the water is to know your time limit. There is no rule to how long you can stay in the cold water for. Listen to your body, get out feeling you can do more. And SWIM YOUR SWIM, not what your swim buddy is doing.
EAR PLUGS
Swimming can sometimes cause ear infections (swimmers' ear) and the cold can sometimes cause dizziness. Ear plugs can help prevent both from happening.
SWIM CAP
Wearing two swim caps during the winter season is a great tip to preventing that brain freeze from happening. Or a neoprene cap if you have chosen the wetsuit option for your swim.
SWIM ROBE/CLOAK
A swim Robe/Cloak will protect you from the elements, it will keep you warm before your swim and help you warm up safely after your swim. It will be your best friend during your winter swimming!
WARM CLOTHING
The top tip is to make sure your clothes are the right way around and lay them out in your car or changing room ready for when you are getting dressed. Wear loose clothing that is easy to put on as it will save you time.
WOOLY HAT
Your hair may be wet and may delay your warming process. Keep the heat in! Don’t delay putting on your wooly hat!
COLD WATER TIPS
HOT WATER BOTTLE
Hot water bottle can be a godsend for your hands and feet. Do not blast the car heaters!! Warming naturally = warming safely.
TOWELS
You may need one for your body and another for your feet. It’s important to warm your feet as quickly as possible… walking could be difficult, and driving could become dangerous with numb feet.
WARM FOOTWEAR
The last thing you need is cold air or rain getting into your dry kit. Walking boots or a waterproof shoe is great for keeping heat in.
GLOVES
Now your dry and dressed it’s time to keep the heat in! Gloves will give your fingers the help to stay warm.
WARM DRINK
Warm squash or Hot chocolate is perfect pre and post swim. Fact - Caffeine slows the flow of warm blood from the core.
HEALTHY SNACK
A drop in body temperature can cause a hunger feeling in your stomach. Don’t suffer with the hunger feeling. Bring a healthy snack to have with your hot drink!
THE SWIMMING TOW FLOAT
The Swimming Tow Float is designed for open water swimming. The bright colour scheme makes these buoys visible from a long distance and helps the user to be seen by boat users & water sports. The float has an adjustable waist strap and is easy to inflate and deflate via the wide mouth inflation valve.
FOR STORAGE – Tow floats can be used to store car keys on a swim (other options are a key safe attached to your car or van, or a small dry bag tucked into swimwear).
They can also be used to keep food, drink, phones, or inhalers on longer swims. Not forgetting you can use it as float to rest on if needs be.
OPEN WATER GOGGLES
Water tight & fit to the eye socket size and shape of the face. Have the correct lens- a polarised lens is a must for the open water. Have an anti fog coating or spray - a hot face and cold water could steam up the goggles and hinder sighting. This can affect stress levels and potentially lead to a swimmer panicking.
BRIGHT COLOUR SWIM CAP
It's vital that whenever you go swimming in open water you wear a brightly colouredsilicone hat. Yes, you may look like a skittle but the cap will keep your head warm.
More importantly it will make sure you're easily visible in the water.
WEATHER PROOF CHANGING ROBE
Has been designed to keep you warm before and after your Open Water Swim. The weather proof changing robe is now sold by a number of brands and vary in price. Ultimately the best robe will always be the one you prefer. it’s a personal choice.
DO YOU NEED TO WEAR A WETSUIT?
Unless a wetsuit is mandatory at an event then the answer is no, you don't. There are lots of options to wear while swimming like board shorts, swim suits, jammers, dry suits, wetsuits and more. The most important things are that you are comfortable, confident, and appropriately dressed for the duration spent in different water temperatures.
ANTI⁃CHAFE SPORT LUBRICANT
HUUB's Sport LUUB is a multi-use, anti-chaffing triathlon wetsuit and tri suit lube. The balm prevents and relieves chafed, chapped and cracked skin. The HUUB Sport LUUB also helps prevent hot spots and rubbing.
A simple 66g roll-on stick to shield yourself that can be used on any area of the body to protect the skin from friction and moisture. It also allows a wetsuit or tri suit to slide on and off a lot more easily.