triathlon

Getting started with cold water swimming - By Annie Brooks (www.talesofanniebean.com )

If you love your pool swims and enjoy those open water swims, then this winter you might be ready to take on cold water swimming! Unlike hopping into to your local heated swimming pool to run through your drills, or dipping into that beautiful lake during the summer time, cold water swimming not only challenges physically, it tests you mentally also. Knowing you’re about to step into water that barely reaches double figures, can be a challenge, but this is exactly why it’s fantastic because that sense of achievement is like nothing else.

1. Find a open water swimming venue
There are many open water swimming venues that continue to allow swims during the chilly months. Due to the increasingly popularity of cold water swimming, more and more venues are keeping open longer. The best thing to do to find them is get searching on the internet, or better yet, Facebook. There are numerous specific open water swimming groups across the UK who regularly meet up for swims, these often host their own Facebook groups too. If you do some digging and you’ll not only find many venues, but potentially make some new swimming buddies!

2. Get the right kit

When you’re just starting out with cold water swimming the best thing to do is get the right kit to keep you warm. If female, a good swimsuit and if male, well-made swim shorts, followed by a wetsuit. Not only is a wetsuit designed for buoyancy in the water, it is also keeps you warmer than just swimming in a swimsuit. When wearing a wetsuit, unlike just a swimsuit, the wetsuit allows the water to seep in gradually. This gives your body a good amount of time to slowly acclimatise. Beyond your wetsuit, you can pick up gloves, hat and boots to keep you toasty!

3. Safety first
Always take a tow float. This isn’t specifically for cold water swimming, but if the cold water shocks you, you can be easily be spotted by other water users. Tow floats are often mandatory for open water swimming venues. Another option is to attach a whistle to your tow float to alert that you need assistance to the open water swim venue staff. It is just about being safe, seen and heard.

4. Swim with a buddy
At a dedicated open water swimming venue you don’t always need to swim with a buddy, just be a confident swimmer. Personally, I like to always swim with a buddy, for both safety and enjoyment purposes. If you decided to wild cold water swim, then having an extra person with you is really important. However, if you’re off for a cold water swim and it is your first time, there is something comforting going through the process of acclimatisation with a friend.

5. Getting in the cold water
Firstly, never jump in. You might have seen those beautiful instagram shots of outdoors grammers leaping into fresh water. Don’t. You should never jump into cold water, acclimatised or not, your body might go into shock which can be really dangerous. I prefer to ease in gradually, and the more I have acclimatised the quicker this process is, but the most important thing is to give your body time. I love to wear swim socks and gloves because these two body parts get the worst of the cold for me. I like to call them ice cream feet and hands! Getting your shoulders under is the hardest part, but in a wetsuit because it gradually seeps in, it makes this a little easier.

6. Cold water skin swims
You’ve mastered swimming in your

Check out the newest top 10 reasons to take up OPEN WATER SWIMMING - Courtesy of Adam Walker

With Triathlons happening all over the UK throughout the season it can sometimes be a struggle to decide which to choose. We have chosen 10 races worth a tri...

South

• Bloodwise Blenheim Palace Triathlon (3rd-4th June) – Blenheim Palace is often considered the race to kick start the Triathlon season, the swim, bike and run takes place around the grounds of Blenheim palace. Swimming, cycling and running through the unique and picturesque scenery, you will be taking part in the second largest Triathlon in the UK. Not ready for a full length triathlon? Blenheim palaces offers two race lengths, Super Sprint and Sprint, so whatever your ability there are no excuses.
• Woburn Abbey Triathlon (9th-10th September) - This is one the whole family can be part of! With a range of distances from a Scootathlon (4-8 years) or Junior Triathlon (9-16 years), to SuperSprint, Sprint and Olympic distance, there is a distance for everyone. In its 9th year Woburn Abbey Tri offers stunning scenery with views of The Abbey and the deer park throughout the course. If you’re looking for a really fun family experience, whether you are competing or a spectator, this is the perfect triathlon for you!
• Lidl BananaMan Triathlon (8th July) – This is a triathlon with a twist! With a banana theme, whether you are a beginner taking on the ‘Banana Split’ or looking to complete the ‘Whole Banana’ there is a race for any age and ability. There are even extra points for anyone that wears yellow on the day! So get your swim cap,

It's that time of year again! You've signed yourself up and trained yourself mentally and physically for the events in the coming months. Whether you're taking on a short distance triathlon or have plans for numerous long distance events, having the right kit is essential to the safety and performance of any triathlete or open water swimmer.

At Zoggs, we understand the importance of having equipment you can rely on. We've been developing goggles for 25 years and offer a range of lenses suitable for swimming in any conditions the Great British weather could throw at us. We've selected our top picks from our range of open water goggles so that you can find the perfect pair to support you through your outdoor swims this triathlon season.

Predator Polarized Ultra Swimming Goggles

All you want to do at the end of your swim is get your wetsuit off, yet that’s often easier said than done.

If you’re a triathlete, this can slow down your transition and lose you valuable race time.

Watch this sim

Following a long season you may decide to have a few weeks off to rest the muscles. Once recovered and rested however, be ready with a plan and commit to your training ahead.