Wading into Open or Wild Water for the 1st Time? By Kate Gillwood
Introduction: Swim Strong welcomes our Scottish colleague Kate Gillwood, who helps us understand what we should be thinking about before taking our first open water swim.
Are you that person who has been building up the courage to do this for a few months and is now here at the waters edge ready to go. You start to wade in and instinctively take a sharp breath as you toes almost recoil in surprise. Ooft it’s cold!!
This sounds like just about any of us in any open water swimming experience. It could be at any stage in a swimmers journey but there are so many variables to consider in this scenario. For instance, is this the swimmers first foray into the freedom of leaving behind the black lines and lane ropes? Has the swimmer not been able to get in for a while? Are they an experienced swimmer and it just feels different today? Each scenario needs a very different thought process. Let’s assume that it is indeed your first time. Openly expressing mild doubt would be completely normal. In fact, doing so gives your more experienced colleagues a chance to give advise and share experiences. Naturally, you never swim alone . It goes without saying, anything can happen and with no one to get help…well the odds aren’t great.
Of course, understanding conditions are key. Is this a river, the sea/ocean, loch/lake/llyn, quarry pond or anything I may be forgetting or have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing? All of these options are very different and the water in each behaves very differently. That may seem obvious but you’d be surprised how easy it is to only see the surface and forget that there’s a whole world beneath that impacts on the movement when you get in. Often, looking at water can be deceptive. Take a river for example. In some you can see what looks like boils coming up to the surface. They look pretty innocuous but they are not always safe to swim through, even though small looking. Some rivers also look very calm on the surface but can have a very strong pull under the dark serenity on top.
You may think that the challenges the sea or ocean throw your way are obvious, but not necessarily so. It is exciting how the sea on any coastline will behave differently and even a much frequented place will be different today or next Tuesday. Tides such as neap, equinox, high, low and rip current all present different challenges. All should be taken seriously, you want to enjoy your swim after all. Local knowledge and signage (if there is any) can always be the best place to start. Of course there are also things like the shape and slope of the beach, rocks, groins, jetties, piers, drop-offs, holes and sandbars to name a few other hazards. Rivers have a way of changing in front of your eyes like you wouldn’t believe. They can be so exciting and a fun way to enjoy the water but post heavy rainfall are probably best avoided. The calmest of rivers can turn into a raging torrent very quickly. The surprising thing about some land locked bodies of water is they can feel almost tidal. Indeed the wind across the surface of the water can create waves. Lochs/lakes can also have shelves and many other under water obstacles plus the temperature can be surprising, especially on a hot summers day.
Water quality is unfortunately something we have to think more about these days. Runoffs, sewer seepage and bacteria counts are just some of those challenges. Swim where information is available. Then there are other water users to consider. The general rule is assume that if you can be seen by others; you’ll be fine. Pick your spot and route and look around from time to time.
Plus, sharing the joy is always fun. And fun has to be the bottom line so why not use gear that will help make it easier. Of course a lot of open water swimming kit is expensive and therefore inaccessible to many. Its hard to know what to say about this except that there is a gap that needs to be filled. If you are fortunate enough to be able to get coaching assistance even for the first go to get advice on ways to manage the temperatures, conditions and how to manage the cold or heat depending on where you are in the world. Some strategies can include how to manage without all the paraphernalia that sports goods companies have learned millions more people are willing to buy. It is what it is.
When you do put your toes in, know that you will be sharing your adventure with wildlife you would otherwise not have the pleasure of getting anywhere near. Yes some of that wildlife can be, let’s say interesting, and the more knowledgeable you are the better. You will definitely enjoy the experience which can be so exciting and uplifting as well as soothing to your soul.
Do it safely, but do it.
