Anyone tempted by the open water?

bambam

I'm really really missing swimming,
Any of ye though about scratching the itch with the open water?

I'm half thinking of sorting myself out for some sea swimming.
Mind you the temps look scary at 7-8deg
https://seatemperature.info/malahide-water-temperature.html

anyone here recommend a beginners wetsuit for swimming?
what else would be needed? neoprene hat, gloves, socks??

Kurt_Godel.

I've been in 3 times last week, 10mins each time. My hands were really sore the first time, but soon got used to it. The next couple of times it felt a lot easier. With all the crazy stuff going on now, it felt fantastic to be out there in the sea.

Wore a wetsuit and 3 latex hats, others I was with wore gloves and boots too and said it was more comfortable. But its all a matter of perspective; there are plenty of folk swimming year round in Ireland in just a pair of trunks and a smile, and I have to say they tend to have a lovely perspective on life in general.

If you have a wetsuit you should go for it.

stampydmonkey

Verry tempted. Maybe this weekend for 5 or 10mins

Seaswimmer

I have been in all winter, 20 or 25 minutes at a time, about a kilometre. Just togs and 3 hats. The biggest factor is not so much the water temperature as the air temperature/chill factor when you get out. Much easier to get dressed in a mild ambient air temperature with a bit of sunshine. If you keep moving and swim as hard as you can you will generate heat in the water. First minute is where you want to be careful to get your breathing and stroke going after the initial immersion shock. Prepare for cold hands and feet in the water if air temperature is low or there is a breeze.

Try and minimise any buttons on your clothing and use slip on shoes if possible. Hang your clothes in the order you are going to put them back on. Something like a gardening mat or newspaper to stand on is useful. Get dressed as quick as possible and go for a brisk walk rather than standing around. Wear a hat but if you are using gloves make sure they are relatively loose so you can pull them on with cold fingers

new2tri19

I am tempted by the sea , I can't stand the cold though . Might get in this weekend any tips on best time to get in ? Does it matter much if you get in at high or low tide , I'm thinking more in regards to currents etc is there any specific time that is best to get in? Thanks

bambam

Any recommendations on a wetsuit? or perhaps what thickness to get (east coast swimming)?

HeidiHeidi

Is now really the time to be considering trying sea swimming for the first time as a complete novice?

In the tail end of winter, with the sea at its coldest, and emergency services stretched beyond breaking point?

Really???

degsie

Some people live in a bubble

martin6651

Year round open water skin swimmer BUT cant get in because of Covid-19 ban.

Seaswimmer

martin6651 wrote: »

Year round open water skin swimmer BUT cant get in because of Covid-19 ban.

No ban on exercise. I assume the travel ban is affecting you?
If you live within 2kms of sea/river/lake you should be ok.
Unfortunately most people don't..:(

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Would you not just stay at home? Is it that hard???

martin6651

Out side the 2k limit of Blackrock(Galway) so staying at home.

Seaswimmer

martin6651 wrote: »

Out side the 2k limit of Blackrock(Galway) so staying at home.

Inside the limit for Seapoint Dublin but recovering from Covid (day 13 in my room) so definitely staying at home!!

martin6651

Seaswimmer get better soon. Not expecting to get a swim in before June if things keep going as predicted

GoHardOrGoHome

9.5 degrees in Seapoint today. I built up to 17 minutes in the water today but felt grand. It took me a long time to build up to 10 minutes. At the start it was a 30 second dip and gradually built it up. From what I've read if you can go 2 or 3 times a week you'll build up your tolerance quickly. Read up on vasoconstriction. Makes sense. And stay within your 2k radius!

martin6651

Went to have a look at the River Corrib today(I'm getting desperate for a swim) temp. 11deg. area where I would swim was blocked off. May have to go further up to a spot within my 2k limit.

degsie

Why can't people just go for a brisk walk instead of finding ingenious ways to place themselves and the over-stretched front line responders at risk? If people think that lone swimming is safe, they need to take a long look at themselves in the mirror.

martin6651

degsie I always swim on my own that way I have no one else to worry about except myself . I'm also going for brisk walks as well.

martin6651

P.S. I don't need to have a long look at myself I'm just too ugly.

Kurt_Godel.

Irish Coast Guard urge people not to use the sea for recreation

This was issued yesterday- always better to take info/guidance from official sources. I've not been in the sea since the 2km rule came into force, but know plenty who have who will now stop on the Coast Guard recommendation.

Good luck to all, hopefully we will be back in the waves soon enough.

degsie

martin6651 wrote: »

P.S. I don't need to have a long look at myself I'm just too ugly.

You're lucky so as they don't provide mirrors in ICU afaik.

martin6651

degsie I dont need this **** here. I get enough on facebook/twitter when I swim during the winter.

Kurt_Godel.

martin6651 wrote: »

degsie I dont need this **** here. I get enough on facebook/twitter when I swim during the winter.

Ignore it Martin, there is an unfortunate amount of posters over-enforcing lockdown regulations across various sports forums the past couple of weeks. Its a shame people who never posted in forums before suddenly think their opinions have weight. Everyone is stressed and sometimes silence is golden.

Enjoy any current freedom, accept those freedoms will change, and look forward to when we are free to enjoy the OW again. I'm on a whatsapp group that is planning relay swims once we are free to do so; and I have to say its a release to plan that (rather than reply to zealots who don't even exercise )

elperello

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2020/april/09/rnli-urges-people-not-to-use-the-sea-for-exercise-or-recreation

Freshwater swimmer here.

RNLI + Coastguard that's enough for me, togs staying dry till we get the all-clear.

martin6651

Thank you Kurt. Hopefully it wont be long to wait for you to get in your relay.

Kurt_Godel.

elperello wrote: »

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2020/april/09/rnli-urges-people-not-to-use-the-sea-for-exercise-or-recreation

Freshwater swimmer here.

RNLI + Coastguard that's enough for me, togs staying dry till we get the all-clear.

You already have the all-clear, the RNLI guidance only mentions the sea. You are quite free to swim lake and rivers within a 2km radius of your home...

But you know that, you've specified you are a freshwater swimmer. Another poster with zero prior input to the forum, looking for a fight when saying nothing would have been more useful.

elperello

Kurt_Godel. wrote: »

You already have the all-clear, the RNLI guidance only mentions the sea. You are quite free to swim lake and rivers within a 2km radius of your home...

But you know that, you've specified you are a freshwater swimmer. Another poster with zero prior input to the forum, looking for a fight when saying nothing would have been more useful.

No need for that tone. I didn't criticise anyone.

I just saw the headline, I looked in to see the posts and I knew the RNLI had issued that warning so I added it to the discussion.

As it happens the RNLI have three freshwater bases in Ireland so I consider their advice is applicable to me also.

Kurt_Godel.

Swim Ireland have just cancelled OW events until August- that's a huge blow and personally I'm surprised by the length of their cancellation when other Gov agencies are adopting a fortnightly wait-and-see approach.

Swim Ireland statement:

Cancellation of Open Water Swimming Events

May 01, 2020

Update – 1st May 2020

The following update provides Swim Ireland clubs further direction and guidance in relation to the Open Water Season and training considering guidelines from the Irish and UK Governments regarding Covid-19.

Open Water Season

Swim Ireland announces today that all open water races under its jurisdiction originally scheduled to take place between now and the end of July will no longer take place. This decision has not been taken lightly and due consideration has been given to advices from the Irish and UK governments and consultations with the open water community. The situation will be further reviewed for August/September, should restrictions ease, however, events that might be given the go-ahead will only be where they can be delivered in line with all Government and public health advices and diktats and where this might be possible Swim Ireland in consultation with our open water community will issue specific guidance in this regard.

We have written to the HSE seeking advices in relation to the impact of COVID 19 in relation to open water specifically and we are currently considering these advices. At this juncture club training is to remain ceased in line with existing public health measures.

If clubs have queries or concerns, please contact your Club Support Officer who will be able to provide you with assistance.

We continue to monitor the situation very carefully and will issue further advice to our clubs and members as this become available. Please continue to regularly check the Swim Ireland website for further updates and contact Swim Ireland if you have any urgent questions or concerns.

martin6651

The sea is calling and on Tuesday it will be within my 5K range.

eeeee

I live right by the sea and have been swimming in just swimsuit and hat since January, more now since the lockdown.
It's not that cold now (east coast), and I swim an hour before high tide so the water's heading in.

Definitely agree that the coldest bit is when you get out! I just dry myself and put on a massive coat and flip flops and walk really quickly back to my flat, takes about a minute. I used to change once I got out but by the time i got dry and dressed again I was freezing. Easy to do now rather than in winter!

I only swim for about 40 mins, I'm not a proper swimmer.

degsie

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2020/april/30/rnli-and-irish-coast-guard-renew-call-for-people-not-to-use-the-sea-for-exercise

radharc

I’m eager to follow the guidelines while at the same time desperate to get back in the sea. Looks like June 8th could be the date?

‘People can take part in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, involving team sports training in small groups (but not matches) where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact‘

Kurt_Godel.

radharc wrote: »

I’m eager to follow the guidelines while at the same time desperate to get back in the sea. Looks like June 8th could be the date?

At the moment if you live <2km from sea (<5km from tomorrow) you can go sea swimming. The RNLI have advised against it, but this has no legal basis and you won't be stopped/fined (unless you were exercising outside your radius). Up to you to decide if you want to heed that advisory or not; the RNLI yesterday rescued two clowns on a kayak off Dalkey, who got into difficulty in calm waters and who infuriatingly will not be charged for their stupidity. But if you are a strong swimmer who knows the local currents/tides and are confident you won't trouble the rescue services.... its up to your conscience*.

May 18th- Phase 1 of the Reopening schedule allows for beaches to be open, when groups of up to 4 can exercise if they practise social distance, and the RNLI advisory is expected to be removed before this date. You can swim but the 5km radius limit still applies.

June 8th- Phase 2, as above but with radius increased to 20km

July 20th- Phase 4, 20km limit removed. Swimming pools also expected to reopen with social distancing.

August- Swim Ireland will permit OW and gala racing again.

*appreciate this will enrage our lurking "stay-at-homers", but them's the facts.

ChewyLouie

Kurt_Godel. wrote: »

May 18th- Phase 1 of the Reopening schedule allows for beaches to be open

I found this part of the plan strange - where in the current national restrictions are beaches closed? I thought there were just local closures, decided by local councils...?

martin6651

The sea called again. I'm thinking of answering it on Monday been away from it for too long.

Balmed Out

ChewyLouie wrote: »

I found this part of the plan strange - where in the current national restrictions are beaches closed? I thought there were just local closures, decided by local councils...?

Is it not just the car parks that are closed?

audiRon

If people are going to be starting back swimming in the sea, lakes or rivers some good advice here.
Relates to the lifting of UK restrictions but relevant to getting into the open water here too
https://outdoorswimmer.com/news/swim-england-british-triathlon-and-the-royal-life-saving-society-uk-publish-safety-advice-for-open-water-swimmers-following-the-partial-lifting-of-the-coronavirus-lockdown-restrictions-in-england

Kurt_Godel.

About bloody time- OW swimming permitted from next Monday. See this from Water Safety Ireland released today

Its quite sensible- there will be no lifeguards so cop yourself on and don't swim if you are going to bother the emergency services. Know your tides, know your currents, know your ability. Basically how everyone used to swim back in the 80's/90's

(Wish to god I was within 5k from the sea though!)

martin6651

Swimming in the sea since Monday and god its so good to be back. Not as warm as the Corrib though.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Balmed Out wrote: »

Is it not just the car parks that are closed?

I swim in Portmarnock, the carpark on the Golf Links Road has been closed, but there's limited parking at the north end of the beach. However most of the roads have double yellow lines, you can chance it but the guards were ticketing car's there yesterday.

The problem with Portmarnock is if you arrive at low tide its quite a long walk to get to water and just as long again before you get any depth to swim.

and still ricky villa

Kurt_Godel. wrote: »

About bloody time- OW swimming permitted from next Monday. See this from Water Safety Ireland released today

Its quite sensible- there will be no lifeguards so cop yourself on and don't swim if you are going to bother the emergency services. Know your tides, know your currents, know your ability. Basically how everyone used to swim back in the 80's/90's

(Wish to god I was within 5k from the sea though!)

Praise the Lord for that

I've been in a 56cm deep paddling pool for the past few weeks and my fingertips can't take anymore

bambam

Article in the paper today
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/i-always-feel-better-after-sea-swimming-reopens-for-business-1.4256326

‘I always feel better after’: Sea swimming reopens for business
Social distancing applies but, after weeks of lockdown, the benefits are even better

“Bit more insulation since the lockdown anyway,” says Jonathan Smith, emerging with a smile from the open sea water at south Dublin Bay without any haste or the slightest shiver of doubt. “But I always feel better after this, always...”

It’s shortly after dawn on Monday and we’re down at Blackrock to meet the high tide and the first lifting of Covid-19 restrictions around open water swimming since April 11th: social distancing still applies, and as much as he’s missed being in the sea water every single day – as is his usually perfectly normal routine – it’s been an entirely understandable wait.

“There were some days at home, over the last few weeks, where I felt caged in,” Smith tells me, drying himself off in a large floral towel robe and gently unruffling his fantastically long beard. With a family member working on the so-called frontline, he’d no issue whatsoever with the restrictions – even if that meant the actual caging off of his usual swimming spots down along the Forty Foot, Sandycove and Seapoint.

Therapy

Just a few minutes in the water is enough to reacquaint the mind and the senses: there is a theory among open sea swimmers that this cold water immersion is therapy more than exercise, and while not everyone may agree, Smith unquestionably practices what he preaches.

“I was joking to my wife about this, it’s like the insurance on the car, you may never need it, but it’s great to have it. I always felt I’d a little resilience in store from the months of swimming before the lockdown, even if no one saw this coming. I think people who swam on a regular basis, maybe, were better able to cope with the whole situation.

“For people who really struggle with anxiety, not being able to get into the sea on a regular basis might have been some sort of entrapment, essentially. And I think the need for it, after times like this, will be even greater, for sure.”


Smith was raised within the sights and the smells of Dublin Bay, yet only took to open water swimming later in his life: now the 58-year-old, who runs the popular Ernesto’s cafe in Rathmines, can’t imagine his life without his daily dip.

Smith has been going swimming in the sea every day for 12 years.
Smith has been going swimming in the sea every day for 12 years.
“After my mother passed away, 12 years ago, I was getting bad pains across my chest, and a woman I was working with, Maire Walsh, asked me did I go swimming in the sea. And I said yeah, in June and July, on a balmy day, we’d head to Killiney with a picnic for the day. But she meant every day, winter and summer. And I thought she was mental. I hadn’t slept right in months, and just she encouraged me. So I was out by Seapoint a few days later, saw the high tide, and dived in. I thought I was going to have a cardiac arrest, it was that much of a shock.

“Once I got out, and went home that night and slept for five hours, I saw the benefits immediately. And after I started going every week, then every day, and learned from more experienced people than me, my patience and tolerance were greater, my anxieties became less and less. That’s there for all of us.

“In the winter, to the summer, you do go from enduring it, to enjoying it. But the payback is greater in the winter months, because the colder the water, the higher the endorphin level, the serotonin level, the higher the feel-good factor.”

Social interaction

He opened Ernesto’s five years ago, and like every business it’s taken a big hit: named after his love of all things Cuba (including Ernesto “Che” Guevara), Smith also runs a small charity bringing musical instruments to Cuban children, and much like open water swimming, his cafe has also been about encouraging social interaction.

“We made the decision to close on the 14th of March, I just reckoned it wasn’t safe for the staff, you could just see this thing gaining momentum, and thought it was best to close completely. We’re back up three weeks now, doing partial takeaway. The weather has been very conducive to standing outside, and we’re not a huge amount off, right now, but the whole situation is still evolving out.”

Through Ernesto’s, he’s also shared the open water swimming virtues with the likes of Dublin footballers Kevin McManamon and Michael Darragh Macauley and singer Damien Dempsey.

“So much of open sea water swimming is actually about that social interaction, before and afterwards. In recent years, I’ve noticed more women than men too, and women of all ages. As life throws curve balls at you, you start to seek alternative remedies, to fix some angst, anxiety, or some mental strife in your life, and to me the sea has become a glowing way to do so.”

Perhaps to that list we can now add Covid-19.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Got my second OW swim in this week. I got 34 minutes before my hands were just too cold, may head back in today

Btw, anyone using the Garmin 735xt?

On Open Water swim mode the GPS just shows straight lines from point to point, but I swim diagonal to the shower so my swims are never in a dead straight line. When I used a Polar on run mode it seem to record a very accurate map.

The distance is recording ok but the map looks a little weird, I can post photos if I'm not explaining myself right.

bambam

Finally made it into the water today.
...And it felt great, though the lockdown has taken the toll on my upper body strength :-)
So stayed in the shallows and went up and down along the shoreline a few times

I took the wuss option and went in with the full getup: cap, gloves, socks and a wetsuit.
It was gorgeous, may as well have been swimming in the med :-)

degsie

Couple of drownings reported in the UK, no lifeguards appears to be an issue. Be safe out there.

Kurt_Godel.

degsie wrote: »

Couple of drownings reported in the UK, no lifeguards appears to be an issue. Be safe out there.

You wouldn't be advocating unnecessary travel to the UK, would you?:pac:

Swim Ireland this morning reemphasised their OW guidance that those currently using the OW should be experienced swimmers (used to cold water shock, local conditions, what to do in a riptide etc.)

Kurt_Godel.

Swam in glorious Kerry waters over the past couple of days- having been denied the opportunity for quite a while it was incredible to swim along the coastline. Good to see other strong swimmers starting to get back in too.

martin6651

Kurt Welcome back to the sea. Great or what

arybvtcw0eolkf

Got in a slow, but very tough 1k in Portmarnock at high tide yesterday.

I was literally swept down the beach for the first 500 so I knew I'd have a battle back. On the return my swim was like a cross between a rodeo and a washing machine, but great craic.

I'm a competitive Judoka, and at one point I thought to myself 'dammit I'd had easier Judo competitions', great fun altogether.

Seaswimmer

Macie Gray Menu wrote: »

Got in a slow, but very tough 1k in Portmarnock at high tide yesterday.

I was literally swept down the beach for the first 500 so I knew I'd have a battle back. On the return my swim was like a cross between a rodeo and a washing machine, but great craic.

I'm a competitive Judoka, and at one point I thought to myself 'dammit I'd had easier Judo competitions', great fun altogether.

Always nice to swim out against the tide/wind first if possible. Get the easy bit on the way back:)

arybvtcw0eolkf

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Always nice to swim out against the tide/wind first if possible. Get the easy bit on the way back:)

Depending on which end of the beach I use really determines what direction I'll swim, Martello tower end you're kinda committed to swim down the beach.

More big waves this evening, wasn't going to go out but I bought a new wet suit and had only worn it once, wasn't really happy with it so wanted to give it a second outing and already its stretched to a point I felt like a fecking water balloon so I'm hoping that can be returned for a size smaller.

Wasn't big money but its still frustrating.

Seemed like great conditions for the guys kitesurfing this evening, looks like great craic, I was only hoping they've see me between the waves