CHRISTMAS DAY DIP - TO GO OR NOT TO GO

CHRISTMAS DAY DIP - TO GO OR NOT TO GO

Cold water swimming has so many benefits but there are certain situations where a cold water swim isn’t advisable or should only be done after speaking to a medical professional.

Pregnancy: Many ladies continue to cold water swim throughout their pregnancy and find it very beneficial. However the cold water temperatures do put our bodies under stress therefore we would not recommend a one-off dip in the cold water when you’re expecting if you have not regularly swam and are not acclimatised to the temperatures.

Asthma or other respiratory issues: Swimming in cold water during winter requires safety and caution. Controlled breathing is very important as cold water shock can cause rapid breathing and fluctuations. This could for many feel like anxiety, or an asthma attack so we wouldn’t recommend for anyone to take a dip in winter unless they had been acclimatised to the temperatures.

Heart conditions: Entering cold water causes a spike in heart rate and blood pressure as surface blood vessels constrict. For people with underlying heart risks, this can significantly increase the chance of heart failure or stroke. Therefore we wouldn’t recommend a Christmas Day Dip if you have heart conditions.

Flu/Infection: We do not recommend cold water swimming if you have the cold, flu or another infection.

TIPS FOR AN ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS DAY DIP

  • Enter feet first. You’ll naturally gasp as you hit the cold water, and you don’t want your head submerged when that happens. We don’t recommend diving in during winter months.

  • Control your breathing. The gasp reflex is automatic and comes with a sharp rise in heart rate when you enter cold water. Consciously control your breathing as you enter the water with long, slow inhales and exhales. Some swimmers stand waist-deep, place their hands in the water, splash their face and back of their neck to wait for their breathing to settle.

  • Build up with acclimatising dips. Regular short swims help reduce the initial shock response, and practising in calm waters is a great start. But if you are only taking a one off Christmas Day Dip, then we recommend a short stay in the water.

  • Keep Warm Before & After: Keep your warm layers on until you are ready to swim. Then once you are out, get dried and dressed quickly. Your body temperature continues to drop after you have exited the water. Speed, layers and heat are our recommendations. Warm socks, boots, a hat, gloves, a hot water bottle and hot drink are perfect for after you have dried and dressed.

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