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Headed to Staffordshire this weekend so I wasn't able to swim at the Flash as usual so I found a NOWCA venue close to where we were staying. I was not expecting it to be frozen! I arrived and one of the staff was on a paddleboard using his oar to break the ice so we could dip. The air temperature was -1.5 and the water temperature was 0.9 degrees! My first ever icy swim and wow it did not disappoint at all. Once i regulated my breathing I basically swam in a small circle a fe

First swim of 2026 and first swim of January penguin challenge. Air temperature was -1 and the water was 2.6 degrees! The coldest for me so far. Thank god I bought some thicker swim gloves! Managed 350m, before I had to get out due to it being so 🥶 Had some after shakes whilst trying to get changed and was still very cold when i got home. It took a while to get warm today! Highlight of the swim was two swans swimming across my path so had to slow down to let them pass. I've

Last swim of 2025 and a new location! Travelled nearly 2 hours to this gorgeous place in York and it didn't disappoint. It was so tranquil and very cold 🤣 Completed my 3000m for December despite illness over Christmas. I haven't 'dipped' as I listened to my body and decided it wasn't wise to do so. My skin was red after a swim due to the cold and couldn't face stripping off and getting back in. My wetsuit is too big! So baggy around the bottom half and around my knees so wat

Last swim at three sisters and it was party time! Air temperature was 8 degrees but the water was 4 degrees and very chilly. Managed 300m before my fingers were too cold! Was such a lovely swim though and the atmosphere is always amazing here. Achy this afternoon after the gym last night and a sports massage this morning so its rest time before christmas prep starts.

Another sunrise swim at the Flash! It was a cold morning, air temperature was 4 degrees! The water wasnt too bad at 6 degrees but the air temperature made it feel colder. I swam head out breaststroke so I could keep my hair dry as I was going to gullivers world straight after. Managed 550m but my fingers lost feeling again in my right hand so dodnt stay in any longer. Two more swims planned for this month and need to achieve 950m to reach my target. I can do this 💪

After smashing my November target and upgrading my penguin gold to penguin antartic, today was my first swim of December. My target is now 3000m per month! The sun was rising when I arrived at the Flash, tired, after a rough night's sleep and being awake before 6am! But I couldn't wait for my swim! The air temperature was 3 degrees and the water was 6 degrees, so lovely and fresh. I had a chat with some other swimmers, one of whom i worked with over 20 years ago! I changed my

Away for the weekend at a beautiful cottage in Marsden and we are staying right by Sparth resevoir. As I couldn't go to my usual swim spot, I decided to go 'wild' swimming which essentially means swimming in an open body of water at my own risk as there are no safety marshals and often no-one else swimming at the same time. I had a steep walk down to the water which was slippy and muddy, then had to find my way into the water treading carefully as I was unsure at which point

Once a week is not enough, I have been craving a swim since Saturday and decided to head to Three Sisters this morning for a swim to reset. Such a lovely atmosphere with the fire pit, music, and lots of amazing swimmers and dippers. I swam a leisurely 450m in 3 degrees water and it was so refreshing and calming. Total distance for the month is 2500. Another 500 and I will be automatically upgraded from penguin gold to penguin Antarctic. One more swim planned for Saturday wit

I woke up this morning and felt a bit apprehensive about swimming as the temperature this week has been as low as -3. However, I dragged myself out of bed and got into my wetsuit and drove to the lake with a determination to do this. The air temperature was 4 degrees so it has warmed up slighly and the lake was 6 degrees!! Although some swimmers recorded the temp as 5.5 degrees with their own thermometer. Either way, it was much colder than last week and I have achieved 3 out

Second swim of the day! After my first one, I put a dry costume on and dried my hair but kept my thermal leggings on, along with my long sleeved vest, joggers, top, fluffy socks and boots and my zoodie to keep warm. I ate some food to refuel and went out to an artisan market to have a toot round. We got to Sale water park ready for my session and I was in a group of 7 lovely women plus the instructor Jane who teaches the wim hof breathing method. Obviously I know how to breat

It's Saturday again! I put my big girl pants on and went for my weekly swim despite there being a storm causing rain and windy conditions. Air temperature was 8 degrees and the water was 9 degrees and very very choppy. I swallowed a fair bit thanks to the waves coming up and over my head but I kept going and managed 300m 💪which is not bad given the conditions and me being relatively new to cold water swimming in the colder months. Total for the month so far is 1650m. Zone 3

So, I am part of a wonderful group of women called 'Thrive' and I decided to join their event at three sisters today. It's a venue I was planning on trying next year as they are not open all year round unless privately arranged it seems! The second swim in 24 hours meant I had to get everything dry quickly which is not easy with neoprene. Well, isn't this place a well kept secret, not only is it a very nice lake it is also open year round, particularly midweek, and its on my

I had a late night last night and felt off colour this morning to the point I nearly didn't go for my swim but I pushed myself as I had been looking forward to it. I was also achy from my bike ride yesterday and my arms and upper back were stiff. I am so glad I did! Entering the lake, one of the ladies coming back from her swim asked if I was praying 🤣 I was bracing myself and I always walk gingerly down the jetty so I don't lose my footing. The water was a tad warmer at 12.

I completed my first swim for the penguin and polar bear challenge and at pretty much half way to achieving the distance this month in the first swim!. It was 🥶 but very refreshing! Water temperature was 9.5 degrees so we have officially entered the sub 10 challenge, an additional aim for me to swim a minimum of 10 swims over winter in water that is less than 10 degrees. Forgot my gloves! So my hands were particularly red and tingly 🤣 and I forgot my dry robe. But, my new s

I need sponsors! Swimming in open water is euphoric! And so good for mental health and overall well-being. I feel refreshed and energised after. Cold water swimming is my new challenge and I have been getting acclimatised to colder water. The coldest I have swam in so far is 10.5 degrees. So, if I'm challenging myself i may as well try and raise money for the charity I work for. I am officially participating in the Gold penguin challenge, where I have committed to swim 1000m

7.30am swim! and the water temperature was 10.5 degrees. It was dark when I made my way to the flash and the sun continued to rise as I was swimming which was amazing! What a way to start the morning! 750m swim with a mix of breaststroke and front crawl. The swimming lessons I have had so far really paid off and my wetsuit has now had two dips. I am feeling ready for the winter challenges to start next Saturday.

A cheeky afternoon swim was needed today to reset and clear my brain! Tested out a new venue which unfortunately doesn't open over the colder months 😒 which is a shame as it was a stunning location! Absolute bliss in the middle of the lake with the sun beating down. Yet the water was only 11 degrees 🥶 Broke my new suit in nicely and managed just over 500m 💪 Look at my cheesy grin at the end 🤣 Than straight back to school/work/Halloween disco!

New wetsuit ticked off the list! This time an actual swimming one rather than a surfing one, and a smaller size 💪 Thanks to the help of My Triathlon Shop who sorted me out! Even comes with gloves so my nails don't catch the neoprene! Can't wait to get back in the water 🏊‍♂️

I returned to Sale water park today and had my second swimming lesson with the lovely Jane from Open Water Swim. The water was even colder! Remembering to breathe when entering the water is crucial and acclimatising to the cold water. I worked more on my front control and breath control and feel like I am getting better! Now I need a new wetsuit, one because the one I have is for surfing, and 2, it is now too big after dropping even more weight!

I've 'dipped' in open water plenty of times over the years and love it! but only properly swam a decent distance in a pool which I'm not keen on because of the chlorine messing with my hair! I am very precious about my hair! Despite being a fairly competent swimmer, doing it in a wetsuit is quite different due to the buoyancy. Add to that, struggling with breath control meant I didn't have the confidence to maintain front crawl around a 500m circuit with no side to hold on to