Try something new in the water!

There’s joy to be found in all sorts of swimming activities: why not try something new?

Many masters swimmers (older swimmers who continue to train and race in pool events) are mystified by cold water swimming. They may, occasionally, venture into open water in the summer, in a wetsuit. But by early autumn, they won’t be shifted from heated water. Here, they can train to their heart’s content and work on their fitness and skills without any fear of hypothermia.

Similarly, many cold water swimmers don’t see the attraction of racing in the pool. They love the crisp, skin-tightening feel of cold water, the early morning mist, the hopeful faint warmth of the winter sun and the chat, giggles and cake that follow a brisk chilly dip. They complete their days with the smug knowledge of their cold water bravery and the glow of having done something good for their health and wellbeing. But they would be terrified at the thought of doing a race in the pool, climbing onto a starting block and sprinting down an empty lane.

Crossover benefits

For many years, I was in the first category. Even now, despite regular year-round dips in the Thames, I’m far from being the biggest fan of cold water swimming in the Outdoor Swimmer team.

However, I’ve noticed something unexpected. Since I embraced cold water, my pool racing has improved. I’m only a case study of one, so my evidence is thin, but I have a theory. In brief, I think the health and wellbeing benefits I get from winter dipping help me train more consistently and recover quicker from hard training sessions.

If you’re a pool swimmer, maybe it’s time to reconsider your relationship with the cold. There is more to it than you think.

Own the lane

But what about the other way around? Are there benefits to cold water lovers spending some time in the pool?

One downside with outdoor swimming in winter is that you often can’t stay in the water long enough for a fitness training session. Staying fit is one of the best predictors for a long and active life, and swimming is great exercise. Entering a pool race, knowing you’ll be swimming in a lane by yourself while your race time is displayed on a large board for everyone to see is a good motivator to stay fit. Plus, giving it your all in a race feels amazing. Pool swimmers emerge from races smiling just as much as winter swimmers do after a cold plunge.

Solving the speed puzzle

There’s an intellectual challenge to racing well too. You have to piece together the multiple components that contribute to swimming fast and decide how much time and effort to dedicate to each. These components change with the distance and strokes you race, adding to the complexity. As well as strength, endurance and mobility, you need pool skills including starts, turns and relay takeovers. These are fun to practice and learn.

Pool swimmers tell me that cold water swimming isn’t worth the effort as the time in the water is too short. Then they undermine that excuse by travelling halfway across the country to take part in a race that may last less than 30s! Cold water swimmers say they think pool racing is only for super-fit swimmers who’ve been swimming all their lives. But that’s not true. The reality is that swimming is an amazing activity with many sides to it, all with their own challenges and benefits. Why not embrace and enjoy as many of them as you can?

The Renaissance Swimmer Approach

If the idea of expanding your swimming repertoire appeals, please take a look at Renaissance Swimmer – and consider taking on a project to develop your swimming in multiple directions.

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