anyone doing (or has done) a christmas outdoor swim?

cjbh

i'm doing one this christmas but i've never done it or seen it before.
any ideas on what to expect?
how much swimming is involved? is the water really cold? will i die of a heart attack? why do people do it?

AngryHippie

I've done 2 in Ireland, first its really really cold, then you get a bit used to it swim around for a minute, then get out. any more than that and your gonna need a suit. Don't hang about or head for deep water though, thats asking for trouble, cramps can happen pretty quick. Don't jump in if your really warm or you might get a bit of a moment. Running in is the way forward. have a dry towel and warm car ready. and some tea. marshmellows and whiskey shortly afterward. nyom. Some people get carried away and take loads of photos. Not big not clever. Cocktail sausages for some and Areolas all round. Leave the DC at home.

Killgore Trout

It'll be pretty shocking - but you'll feel great after it.

Next year plan ahead and get in for a dip every week from September, then everyone will think you're super hardcore on christmas day, getting in like it's a warm bath and staying in longer than everyone else

hunnymonster

I'm going to be in Boston for christmas this year. I might have to break some ice to get a swim in!

Steyr

Yep, do it in Salthill, we ran in and to be totally honest its a total body shutdown, icy icy cold!!! then swim around for a minute and what i remember is when you get out the cold air was actually very very warm, another thing is do not run over surf! We did and it wasnt surf more or less rocks/pebbles under the water i ran right over them and couldnt feel my feet for ages, but bottom line is its fun and for a good cause.:)

hunnymonster

Don't people run the prom after the salthill swim steyr? I vaguely remember a friend doing that.

pgibbo

hunnymonster wrote: »

Don't people run the prom after the salthill swim steyr? I vaguely remember a friend doing that.

There is a charity 1 mile run at the track in Dangan on Christmas day too. Some people go from one to the other. Not sure about running the prom - it may well happen too.

dosed

very very very cold.
jumped off the 40ft with about a million other people (the place is packed on xmas morning).
cant imagine gradually wadeing in. its body shutdown cold. you have to jump in then get out.

Funkyzeit

Done the Xmas 'swim' a couple of times in the 40 foot in Dublin.

I use the term Swim lightly - more of a splash and then an attempt to run on the water ala JC whilst listening to the sounds of the other swimmers screaming in agony... Great fun though !!

swimforever

Killgore Trout wrote: »

Next year plan ahead and get in for a dip every week from September, then everyone will think you're super hardcore on christmas day, getting in like it's a warm bath and staying in longer than everyone else

I've been in the sea every weekend since the summer as part of my training....but I still end up screaming like a banshee every weekend when I get in-it doesn't seem to get any easier!!! I'd love if it felt like a warm bath, but unfortunately it never does :mad: I guess maybe wearing a wetsuit would help with that but I'm too stubborn to give in to the cold!

cjbh-if you're going to be putting your head under water make sure you wear a swimming cap...might sound obvious but I have seen people go in without them in the winter-it's really not a very good idea! Make sure you've gots lots of warm clothes for after-a wooly hat and gloves are a good idea-even if you're only in for a couple of minutes, it can take hours to heat back up. Best thing to do is bring someone with you who can keep the car heated up and hand you your warm drink as you get out!!

ozchick

Saw a sign to the Bray Sea Swim today - was too late for a geek, but gather it's just a dip, not really a distance swim?

Did see a group having a dip and some actually doing a swim at Greystones about 1pm, plenty minus wetsuits.

Just wondering what the water temp would be likely to be at this time of the year - just comparing with back home

swimforever

I don't know what the sea temperature is in Dublin at the moment, but in Cork where I swim it's at about 9 degrees C at the moment. I'd imagine Dublin would be pretty much the same. We're hoping that it doesn't drop too much below that as we get into January and February, the coldest swimming months of the year!

Judging by this: http://www.braypeople.ie/news/bray-sea-swim-1585503.html it seems that the Bray swim is indeed just a dip. Always fun to get into the freezing cold water to welcome in the New Year We were planning to swim here today but unfortunately the wind didn't cooperate and it was too rough. Hopefully at the weekend instead!

cjbh

thanks for the replies guys
i did this thingy in Lough Derg on christmas day
it was mostly just a dip and a ten second swim
it was shocking cold but it was over quickly and it was all for a good cause
might even do it again next year - stripping down to a pair of shorts in front of a load of strangers is good incentive to stay in shape!