Cold Water: 17th October 2019

“If you tiptoe into cold water, you’re missing out on the rush of plunging in headfirst”
Simon Elkeles

Thursday 17th October 2019

Andark

A chance message to my friend, Kate Steele, made all the difference. Catching up with people can often deliver random opportunities. Worried that I hadn’t swum outside in a while, finding somewhere to go was an overwhelming need. . Although swimming laps in an outdoor heated pool was okay, it wasn’t the same as being outside in the fresh air.

Kate, who was about to become my ‘cold water’ mentor sent a short note back. Swimmers were needed for filming a short television advert, for a local news station. I wasn’t bothered about the filming or being on television, but I was excited about the swimming.  

As with all these random opportunities, there was the possibility it might be canceled at the last minute. After checking in with Kate it was still on. It being a rather wet day, not the it mattered what the weather was doing. I was just happy to get back in the water. 

Arriving that morning the television crew were there, along with other swimmers who stood around chatting. By the time I carried my kit down it was raining steadily. Andark Diving Centre is tucked away at the end of a dirt track. Over hang in the dry and sorted myself out. The camera crew were sorting out what shots they needed and where they needed to get the best angles. I kind of knew that I wasn’t going to be needed for any filming. I didn’t care though I was there for the cold water and the swimming. 

Eventually they got the shots they needed so the rest of us could get in the water the lake. I performed my usual bum shuffle over to the water edge and slid in the water. I tried hard to tough it out but it took my breath away, I couldn't talk in compete sentences. I needed a moment to adjust, I figured the best thing to do was to just go for it and swim it out. I got my body moving in the water, after swimming a few loops to warm up and settle myself down. My body quickly got used to the cold, bare in mind that it is now October. I’m swimming without a wetsuit and the temperature is around 14 degrees.  

I didn’t do any proper swimming, not really anyway. It was about being in the water with a few loops thrown in to keep me warm. Altogether I I probably swam about thirty minutes or so. As my body started to get used to being in the cold my back started to heat up. Another strange effect the water has on me physiologically. I get very slight pins and needles in a very small localised area on my shoulders.  

Eventually everyone started getting out of the water. The camera crew go what they needed, at this point I had enough so got out too. I didn’t my usual bum shuffle over to my kit. I quickly got myself dry and clothed, it doesn’t pay to mess about. It can feel colder, particularly with wind chill, out of the water. It's the United Kingdom there is always a breeze to freeze those brass monkeys off.  

As we sat drying, we warmed up with a nice cup of hot chocolate and chatted about nothing in particular. I had already noticed I was the youngest swimmer, I also noticed there where far more women than men. Generally, there seems to be more female open water swimmers than men. I’m not sure the reason for this, or if I’m right. The lack of male swimmers is an observation from my own experience. 

I love these moments sat on the side talking to new people. The little conversations finding out little snippets about peoples lives. Discovering that we know the same people or that we are in some way similar. Open water seems to be unique in that way, the social side is very rewarding indeed. 

Before I left, I had a brief chat with a swimmer who I’ve known for many years. Rory is a superb swimmer, who thinks nothing of banging out four or five kilometres before breakfast. He is a champion long distance swimmer, also he is a regular Ice Mile swimmer. On the move back to my car Rory asked me about some of my swimming aspirations and how he could support me.  

I have a vision for where my swimming is going to take me. Yet, my dream (or nightmare) of swimming the English Channel remains a niggle in the back of my mind. 

About Kate Steele.

Kate Steele is part of the driving force behind cold water swimming. Kate has worked to promote this sport not only in the United Kingdom, but internationally too. She supports and mentors many swimmers while finding the time to travel the world as a global ambassador. Kate has  a number of certified Ice Miles under her belt. Over the years she has ventured into the cold waters in China, Canada, Norway and New Zealand. Kate has some how found time to become the Chairperson for the International Ice Swimming Association Great Britain. And Secretary to International Ice Swimming Association Global board of directors.  

I’m lucky to have Kate as my Cold Water mentor.