8 of the best ways for how to tackle swimming in winters

Like all sports continuity is important. So you should swim in the cold months too. Swimming in winter can be taken care by using proper swimming accessories.

Swimming, unlike many other sports, largely depends on the temperature, weather, and conditions you swim in. Especially for competitive swimmers, it becomes even worse as they have to swim in cold water in the early mornings and late evenings. 

For this reason, a lot of swimmers choose to refrain from the sport in the colder months and take up more intensive training in the warmer months, sometimes skipping out entirely on the less intensive winter season for competitions.

Swimming is a sport that requires constant training, and it is not advised to take long breaks. However, since the winter season is the off-season for competitions, it is acceptable to reduce the frequency of your training and limit practice in the morning. 

How to tackle cold water?

Building tolerance to cold water is something all swimmers must do, and after a few months, it won’t seem as bad. So, if you have chosen to swim during the cold months, here’s what you should do

Use earplugs

Cold water entering the ear canal can lead to infection and cause pain. The condition is called Swimmer’s Ear. Wear earplugs, especially in cold temperatures.

Wear 2 caps

The longer your hair is wet, the more likely you are to catch a cold. Protect your head from the cold of the water by insulating it as much as possible. You also lose most heat from your head, and increasing the number of caps will keep the head in. Make sure your swim caps are not too firm or thin.

Do a considerable amount of  warm-up

The longer the warm-up, the less cold you will feel. Once you are in the pool, immediately start swimming. Make sure that during the workout, you keep rest time to a minimum, as this is the time your body will naturally cool down. A high-intensity workout with a little break is the best way to forget about the cold.

Blow bubbles before you swim

The cold water can be so cold your chest will seize. Get plenty of deep breaths to get used to breathing in the cold water before starting off. This will ensure you don’t start gasping even before the workout starts.

Dive head first into the water

Dive headfirst into the water as you would for any normal race or competition. This is the only way to will yourself into the water. Do not try slowly lowering yourself in the water, as this will put you off before you even start swimming. Rip off the band-aid, so to speak. If you don’t jump in quickly, you might find one of your teammates pushing you in, which is much more shocking.

Swimming equipment

Many would assume wearing full-length costumes would help, but in reality, unless you wear a thermal swimsuit, it won’t make much difference. Thermal swimsuits cannot be worn for a high-intensity workout unless you plan to make your workout a resistance workout for no reason. Stick to your usual swimsuits and trunks.

A warm shower after a swim

Instead, after swimming, carry as many sweaters as you can and make sure to take hot showers, since you are likely to get colds and ear infections. Your skin will suffer during the cold, from both chlorine and the weather. Use sunscreen and oil to create a barrier on your skin. 

Have a hot drink

Other than this, consume hot food items/ drinks and most importantly, stay warm after and before the swim. Soon you will build your tolerance to the cold, and it will seem easy regardless of the weather.

Remember, practice is to get better, and practicing when it might be hardest for you is exactly what will make you the best. When you are not able to spend time on swim training itself, spend time watching other great swimmers swim & update yourself on the latest in swimming.

Benefits of swimming in a cool pool

• It boosts your immune system
• Improves your blood circulation
• Reduces stress

For younger kids and beginners or those with an aversion to the cold entirely, try finding a temperature-regulated or indoor pool, as the temperatures are much easier to handle regardless of the season. 

• Look for indoor pools
• Look for temp-controlled pools

Enjoy your early morning cold water swims.