Pre-Session Information
We want you to be as comfortable and prepared as possible before your session so before you swim with us, have a read of this information and do email or call with any further queries.
We usually swim from Branksome Chine beach which is a lovely, open area with soft sand.
Do be aware that dogs are allowed at this beach all year round. If you have any concerns about this do contact us as we can swim elsewhere.
Before the session
Please let the coach know if your health has changed since you completed the Pre-session Information Form.
Your body responds to the cold water differently depending on health/stress/hormones etc. Let the coach know if you're feeling unusually cold on the session and need to get out early.
You should not swim under the influence of drink or drugs.
Please do not swim with open wounds, cover any small cuts and try not to ingest the water. We recommend rinsing off/showering after your swim and washing your hands before eating.
Things to Bring
Wetsuit - please contact me if you wish to swim skins (ie only a swimming costume). Whilst most of my swimming is done skins, for the purposes of coaching I will wear a wetsuit so that I can maintain my warmth and effectiveness in supporting you safely.
Bright swim hat
Tow Float (for guided swims or Confident swimmers with a distance - over 200m)
Goggles
Warm clothes for afterwards
Hot drink for afterwards
Equipment Background Information
Wetsuits
Swimming wetsuits balance out the thickness of the neoprene to improve flexibility during swimming and reduce buoyancy in key areas (dependent on your stroke). They are also noticeable as they have a smooth finish and generally are shorter in the arms and legs.
Outdoor Swimming Society have lots of great articles and information and this review discusses budget wetsuits.
It is essential that you try on lots of wetsuits to find a good fit for your body shape – they should be snug and almost hard to get on. Retailers just as Wiggle are good at accepting returns.
Alternatively you can go to somewhere like Wetsuit Centre in Boscombe (Unit 4 Station Approach, Ashley Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth. BH1 4NB) to try on a variety of suits. They also have an online shop (Wetsuit Centre) which has some useful information and videos.
Wetsuit Boots and Gloves
These are really good to add more layers to your swimming kit. Gloves need to be flexible and if you’re not wearing them with a wetsuit, we’d recommend a wrist strap to stop water getting in each time you take a stroke. 3mm gloves can be suitable all year round, with 5mm ones less flexible but great for winter dips.
Wetsuit boots again need to have ankle flexibility so consider socks or those with a flexible ankle area. A sole is useful year round when entering and leaving the water to avoid standing on sharp stones/shells or even Weever fish.
Goggles
When open water swimming it is best to wear goggles with tinted or polarised lenses to protect your eyes.
Hat
Please wear a bright silicon or latex hat. These help keep you safe as you are more visible and keep you warmer.
Tow Float
We can loan you a towfloat, which you will wear around your waist. This is helpful to give you a small bit of buoyancy when we stop and also helps with visibility in the water.
Ear plugs
Ear plugs really help avoid dizziness when swimming in the sea.
You can buy mouldable silicon ear plugs (such as these from Boots) which usually fit well but they do block out a lot of sound and can get sandy.
Alternatively plastic ones such as Pluggerz and Swimears are reusable and do let in some sound.
Glide vs Vaseline
If you’re wearing a wetsuit for longer distances you can get rubs on your neck, armpits or anywhere the wetsuit flexes against skin repeatedly.
Body Glide (a branded lubricant) can help enormously. Vaseline can be used but it can destroy wetsuits over time.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a very real concern for swimmers in UK waters all year round. The sea temperature in our area can dip down to around 6⁰C and in the summer averages around 18⁰C. Hypothermia becomes much more prevalent around 15⁰C but always be aware of how cold you are getting. If you start to shiver in the water or your extremities get cold, please get out of the water, dry yourself off and put on warm clothing. Your body will continue to get cold for around another 15 minutes or so (this is called After Drop) as the blood starts to move back to the hands and feet. Warm up gently and do not get into a bath or hot shower for around 2 hours after getting cold.
Wetsuits, wetsuit gloves and boots are a really good investment to enable you to extend the swimming season and you will learn how your body tolerates the cold and be able to mix and match and adjust the layers as you get more experienced.