5 Insights Into Sea Swimming 

 

If you are one of the brave locals who enjoys sea swimming all year round, we applaud you. We thought we'd help keep your motivation high by sharing some thoughts from Justine Riley, who gave us an insight into the local sea swimming scene.

To describe Justine as a local sea swimmer is a bit of an understatement... with swims from Guernsey to Sark, Jersey to France and all the way around Guernsey and Jersey under her belt. Justine shared a few stories with us on swimming with Cats, bacon butties on the camp stove and hot water bottles for your feet! 

We've also got a bonus mini-list from Guernsey Swim Adventures with advice on how to stay safe and be seen.

But first, over to you Justine...

 

 

1. For The Love of Sea Swimming

Swimming always lifts my mood, you never regret a swim. I love everything about sea swimming, the feeling of cold water and how good it makes you feel when you get out, tingling all over, usually looking like a lobster! It's so good to see so many people taking up sea swimming in recent months and enjoying all the social and health benefits it brings. My girls and I signed up for the 12 Bays and loved the dips. Hoping to fit more in once they break up from school.

 

2. Catch Your Breath

We all faff too much about getting in, with the cold bringing on some colourful language by the most polite of people. All jokes aside, I do think getting in gently and doing a few strokes of breaststroke while you catch your breath before setting off is sensible to avoid cold water shock.  When we get out the first thing to do is put the woolly hat on, to avoid losing heat, then towel on and get dressed quickly - usually minus the underwear! It is best to avoid hot showers, but warm your core instead with a warm drink and layering up with clothing. 

 

3. Release Your Inner Child

I’ve met some wonderful people sea swimming and had some great adventures, one of the best being swimming through catamarans. It's childish, I know, but you haven’t lived until you’ve swum under a cat! Somehow, sea swimming brings out the child in you. Just pure fun. A place where you can forget about the daily grind and get caught up in the here and now.

 

4. Fashion on the High Seas

I’ve collected a fair amount of swimming paraphernalia over the years, from an assortment of dry bags and swim caps to fleecy cushioned hot water bottles for my feet - definitely the best invention! I have some friends who are incredibly co-ordinated with their swim caps, bathers and goggles.

 

5.  A Few of My Favourite Things

After a few years of training for long swims, I’m currently in the happy position of enjoying social swims; bobbing, floating, chatting, with coffee and cake to follow. (Editor's note: Modesty alert! "Long swims" is the understatement of the year.) In my training this year, I swam around Guernsey, taking each coast at a time. The South coast was fairly challenging (from Petit Bot to Portelet), but my favourite coast was the west coast. Swimming from Portelet to Pembroke - I loved that swim!

My favourite thing currently is a heads up breaststroke dip with my girls, swimming from the horseshoe (Bathing Pools) and cooking up bacon butties on our little camp stove afterwards, eating brunch and enjoying the view. Pure bliss! 

 

 

How To Stay Safe and Be Seen

The most important thing to note when trying out sea swimming - or new areas to swim in - is SAFETY FIRST.

Here is a bonus mini-list from Guernsey Swim Adventures to remind you to always stay safe and be seen:

1.  Plan your swim.

2.  Know your tides.

3.  Check out the local weather. (Local favourite Guernsey Weather Fox includes information on wind direction, tides, surf and swell)

4.  Acclimatise (i.e. get in slowly!).

5.  Swim with a buddy.

6.  Swim to your ability.

7.  Be bright and visible.

8.  Respect other water users.

9.  Have a warm drink after your swim.

10. Don't forget to bring dry clothes.

 

If you would like to read more about cold water swimming, check out outdoorswimmingsociety.com or Wild Swimming UK.