Winter Prep for getting wet.

The nights are drawing in, heating has been turned on, TOG 12+ duvet on the bed, flu vaccine administered, 5/7 mm cold water wetsuit and booties required for surfing, wellies & waterproof jackets worn on dog walks, trees turning with golden autumnal colours, amazing sunsets, Halloween approaching and the clocks due to go back an hour, thermals and jumpers taken place of shorts and t-shirts, pheasant season starting, curtains drawn and lights on earlier and earlier, breath visible when walking outside, cows heading for barns and shelter, last of the fields being harvested, ploughed & drilled, Strictly on TV and Christmas on the horizon.

So what am I going to do ? well in this crazy year try something new, or at least something I have avoided in the past.

Cold water swimming, surfing and paddleboarding through the winter.

What could go wrong ? As a wheezy old woman (asthmatic) I have taken advice, read up on the benefits of cold water immersion and will take it steady, wear appropriate clothing and never take part in these activities alone.

Looking forward to the social side of this too – swimming with my good friend Vic, SUP32 group at Waterland, Sandford lido and inland surfing at The Wave.

Now where my woolie hat, DryRobe, wetsuit, waterproof, wellies, flask of coffee, gloves, heat packs, scarf ? Then I’m ready to go and immerse myself in the cold British waters

Update:

First chilly dipper swim with Vic 🥶❄️🌊 🏊🏼‍♀️

Apart from initial face freeze, cold hands and a little light headedness, when we relaxed into the swim all was good. 500m ✅

Refreshing way to start a Sunday.

First open water swim of 2020 in October 5c