Another New Year swim done!

My DIL swims all year round when she goes home to one of the Channel Islands. My son joined her this year for the boxing day swim. Her old school friends group all dive in but apart from my son, non of their partners were brave enough

Brrr ...I'm full of admiration for people who do it,but it doesn't appeal to me .
I watched the programme about the sinking if the Titanic and the shock of the cold water sent some people into immediate cardiac arrest and young fit people had a quarter if an hour before hypothermia set in .

One thing that I really miss - my Boxing Day ride. I looked wistfully as the horses and riders trotted past. It would be for about two hours and followed by a fattening treat !

Missed the Christmas Day swim this year owing to sore throat and big rough seas but normally do it every year and do do cold water sea swimming which makes you feel wonderful I have never considered it dangerous if you do it properly Never stay in longer than the sea temperature (at the moment the sea is 4*so don’t stay in longer than 4 minutes)
I have never been warned against it by any health officials and only ever heard of positives for it

There's a big fashion for it round here. Various lochs and the Firth of Forth are the waters of choice.
My DD swims all year in the River Tay.
I prefer warmer water myself.

Can be a dangerous pastime too! I understand how good it feels especially enjoying a warm drink with friends afterwards. I used to use the cold plunge pool after a swim in my local leisure centre. My GP advised against it ( I don't have a heart problem and am in good health) She said there is a real danger from cold water shock. I haven't been in the plunge pool since ! Just a thought.

As l walked my dog along the beach in a very bracing north-westerly with a chill factor of minus something there was a group of youngish folk in their undies drying off after a freezing dip. The beach sees regular swimming groups year round but l didn't recognise these shivering souls.
The usual swimming groups (all female) and individuals (mainly women, some men) have been swimming even more frequently over the last week. It has been unusually glorious weather, bright blue skies, almost freezing temperatures and until today, little wind. Often a fire is lit, chairs are brought, food and drink shared. A brief but special time of challenge and camaraderie.

Brr, Monica, I don't know how she can stay in for so long!

Today was DD's second outdoor swim since Christmas. Both in a local gravel pit. Like you *CanadianGran the water. temperature was a round 2 degrees and she swam 4 laps