The sun is out - is it time to swim in the sea?

This winter has been a wet, mild one so we've managed lots of cold water short swims. The coldest the sea has been this year is around about 7˚C and that didn't last long.

The sea temperature is currently heading upwards at around 15˚C so it's still cold but getting better all the time. Glimpsing the sun always makes us feel warmer and the air temperature makes a huge difference to our ability to stay warm but don't be deceived - our seas will always cool your body and we need to be careful of staying in too long.

If you've not been in the sea over the winter then maybe put on a few more layers before you get in and take it easy as you reacclimatise. Remember, it's better to get out whilst you're still enjoying it. If you start to feel warm and think you could stay in longer, we'd recommend you get out straight away. The mind is excellent at tricking us, stay alert and start with a 5 minute dip or swim to see how you feel.

Don't forget you'll continue to cool once you get out (After Drop) so get out and dry yourself quickly, putting on lots of layers to help your body warm up.

Recommendation: Make a note of air and sea temperature, wind strength and direction and keep a log of these with your swim duration - how do you feel in the sea? How do you feel afterwards? Build up a picture so you can look back and see how a 12˚C sea with a easterly wind impacted your swim.