My foray into cold water swimming

Back in February this year I was encouraged by a friend to try cold water swimming at our local beach. She had originally asked me way back in November 2020 and I was like “no way- that’s just not me”. By early this year something needed to change: not only did I feel like I had finally hit the Covid wall of exhaustion and fatigue, I was also entering the early stages of menopause and my sleep patterns had taken on a life of their own. I was awake at all hours of the night staring numbly at the ceiling - or worse - listlessly scrolling through my social media pages. I felt like I was sleep walking through life - functioning but not engaged.

So I timidly asked to join our local women’s cold water swimming group - not really sure what to expect but somewhat excited at the prospect of some change to the flatline my life felt like it had become. And it has paid off in spades. This wonderful group of JellyFish welcomed me in to their WhatsApp group and I have not looked back. I swim most mornings (sometimes lunch, afternoon or evenings too) with a variety of interesting and, invariably, enthusiastic women who swim to the first pole (and sometimes the second pole) and back rain, hail or shine. We all swim for various reasons but it all comes back to improving our physical and mental health.

I can only speak to the benefits for me: Number one is improved sleep - I now sleep deeply and consistently all night most nights; Number two is meeting some gorgeous other women doing something that we all love doing - swimming and chatting; Number three is a feeling of achievement and an inner strength that only comes with challenging yourself at the extremes. And while we are no Netherlands (where the water temperature gets below 10 degrees), swimming for 20 minutes a day in the current 15 degrees certainly feels like it is challenging me at my extreme.

As we head towards a water temperature of 13 degrees generally expected in Melbourne winter, I and many others are starting to layer up with head gear, gloves and booties, and various pieces of wetsuit garments, but that takes nothing away from the marvel that is being out in the cold water amongst the beauty of our natural surroundings with strong women for company.

If you are interested in the science of the benefits of cold water swimming there is a great article below from New Scientist. It also outlines the pre-cautionary measures to take - make sure you do your research first that way you will get the full benefit without any of the downsides. Happy swimming!