Have you heard of the benefits of cold water swimming? Brightening mood. Increased stress tolerance. Decreased inflammation. Improved immunity. To name a few.
Eight years ago someone was introduced to me as a certified ice swimmer – really, this was a thing? Sure enough, I read the International Ice Swimming Associations website. This piqued my interest, but I couldn’t quite fathom it, not yet.
About 5 years ago, I shed my wet suit for early spring swims when the water was mid 50’s. It was cumbersome to get it on and off, such that preparing to swim felt like it was cutting into time that I could actually be swimming! So I stashed it away and never looked back. But I hadn’t heard about the benefits of cold water swimming, not yet.
It wasn’t until two years ago that I started to tune in to the tales of swimmers jumping into lakes and rivers long after ‘known’ open water season ended. It sounded kind of fun. My training partner and I experimented with a swim in November and I was surprised at how easy it was to go… around just one more bend. But I didn’t put any time or energy into arranging cold water swims, not yet.
But last year, after my open water season concluded with Swim the Suck in October, I had my sights set on swimming the length of Lake Tahoe in July the following year – water could be in the low 60’s. My training partner and I did some late season test swims (read about one of them here), then I convinced a few buddies to see how long we could swim into the winter. I needed support because, quite frankly, I can think of a million things I would rather do than go jump in a cold lake! But once I made a commitment to my swim buddies, I was there.
Twice a month we tested our fortitude against the elements. We sought the purported benefits. We shared the boat ramp with fisherman as the thermometer sunk into the low 50’s in November. By December the water level was too low for boats to use the ramp, so we enjoyed having the lake to ourselves with water in the mid 40’s. Come January we had snow covered peaks as a backdrop to quick dips with temps in the low 40’s. Our time shortened, but we still got wet twice each month. February was the coldest, 39.1F, but we knew that it would start going up (both the water level and the temperature). By March everything was on the rise. April saw water temps in the low 50’s which now felt quite comfortable for a respectable distance! Then it was May, and we were back to the traditional kick off of open water season with water temperatures hovering in the low 60’s.
All over the world, most notably, in the United Kingdom, I hear of groups gathering to swim in cold water. Not for distance, so much as a dip. I find it to be the most inspirational thing to hear of men and women of all ages and abilities gathering to get wet regardless of temperature or conditions. Check out these photos of winter wild swimmers in Scotland:
I started cold water acclimatization in an effort to prepare for my scheduled 21 mile Tahoe crossing. I wanted to be comfortable in low 60’s. And it totally worked. In 2020 I’m going for similar distance, but colder waters. So we’re shooting for weekly Wednesday dips for this years over winter swimming. I’m going to push the envelope this winter and not rest at just ‘getting wet’. I’m not sure I’m ready for an ice mile, but it’s on my mind. One of these years I’d like to make it to the Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival!
As for benefits, I’m generally a happy person, so I haven’t noticed a more buoyant mood as a result of cold water swimming. But I have discovered a zeal for the experience. I have redefined what cold is for myself. I have gained a sense of confidence as I’m in awe of my body and what it can do. And it’s always invigorating!
If cold water swimming sparks any interest in you; start with your language. I hear so many people say right away, “I could never do that!” Or, “I’m always cold.” Using words like ‘never’ and ‘always’ closes the door right away. Catch yourself and instead try saying, “I’m not sure about that,” this leaves the door open. Ask around and try to find some open minded plungers, or look online for a wild swimming group. Then imagine yourself disrobing and getting chilled to the bone. Only to come back to temperature – quite literally – and luxuriate in the warmth and glow of the experience. If you’re local, join us at the Emigrant boat ramp on Wednesday’s at noon! Be smart and be safe out there, glance at the references below for tips on acclimatization and safety.
How to Acclimatize to Cold Water
group of people looking down on us from the RV Park above. They were in jackets and hats and huddled around a campfire. I admit, sitting around a campfire sounded pretty nice as I stood out in the cool air with just a swimsuit on, trying to motivate to get in the even colder water – boy, they must’ve thought we were nuts. Todd grabbed a quick temp to gauge the brisk factor. Thermometer read about 57 F at the edge of the shore, we found that it was closer to 55/56 F as we waded into the mud. Yep, mud. But we were not deterred, we set out to best our 40 minutes at Lake of the Woods the previous week.
e provided a nice way to warm up, but my poor choice in footwear will not be forgotten anytime soon. I thought, hey, I’m going swimming, I’ll wear my flipflops, of course. Somehow, these nondescript bumps in my swimoutlet.com clearance sale flipflops, which usually provide nice traction and a pseudo foot massage, on frozen feet flet like I was walking on rocks, pins, needles, glass, all the sharp things! It was only an 8 min walk back to his house, but boy did it feel like forever! If you’ve ever walked on rocks with frozen feet you know how excruciating that is!