Cold Water Mania

Along with my hard-core swimming regulars who I meet at the Richmond pool three or four times a week, I have been introduced to another community of athletes only this group meets Friday mornings at sunrise to swim in the Thames due West of the Teddington Lock. 

In the summertime, the water temps will reach 20 or 22C and warm enough to swim to Kingston and back or about 5km. This time of year, in winter, the river drops to 6-7C on its way to the coldest days when it may be 1-2C, depending on the air temperatures. At this range, we stay in for maximum 3 minutes - no wetsuit - it can be dangerous for longer - with our recovery clothes on the riverside at the ready - in my case, a down jacket rated to -20C.

As to the why ? While the health benefits of cold water swimming or showers is yet proven, the after-event high is real. We huddle over warm tea and cake; some bring a hot water bottle and all of us bitch about the cold.

On my mind is the North Channel connecting Northern Ireland to Scotland in August 2027. Perhaps hardest of the Oceans Seven swims due to the cold water, I will be in sub 14C for 10 hours or so.