Spring swimming

This bank holiday saw many open water venues open to the public for the first time this year as swimmers up and down the country took to the water, often for the first time this season. And for some the water temperature was a bit of a shock! The Outdoor Swimmer team were out and about at the weekend – Simon and Jo were swimming at Queenford Lakes and I was at Cliff Lakes. The water temperature at both was a fresh 13 degrees.

Even in neoprene, be aware that cool water needs acclimatising to if you are not used to it. If you are venturing into the open water for the first time this month, be aware that the water is still cool (especially for this time of year) and swim accordingly – don’t go beyond the limits of what you feel comfortable with. Enter the water slowly; splash your face with water to get used to the temperature and let a little water into your wetsuit if you are wearing one. When wearing a wetsuit, it is the extremities that get cold first so consider wearing bootees or gloves, and make sure you are wearing a thick silicone hat, or two.

Check out our May issue for expert advice from ice swimmers Kate Steels and Rory Fitzgerald on how to spring safely into swimming outdoors this month.

This week’s photo of the week is by Katia Vastiau of Simon Griffiths at Queenford Lakes.

In each issue of the magazine we publish a selection of your images in our Reader Photo Contest. To be in with a chance of having your photo featured in the magazine and winning outdoor swimming kit enter your best pics now.