I usually swim on a sandy beach so I use an IKEA bag with a towel in it as my changing area. Keeps everything from getting all wet cold and sandy. I take off my sandy neoprene booties before stepping into the bag. I can even sit down inside the bag if necessary while changing. Sometimes I bring a small foam gardening pad to sit or stand on, very warm and comfortable on cold hard surfaces. After I change all the wet gear gets wrapped up in the IKEA bag and stuffed back into my pack. Great video, thank you!
Thanks for adding that a 'big coat' will do. Cycling to swim I just layer up, generally using older clothing that has stretched a little so easy to put on and taking extra to wear post swim when I need warmer clothing as I travel there with my cossie on. Using two panniers to separate wet and dry stuff helps.
I love the bag, I use a cheap IKEA bag to keep my wet stuff separate from my dry stuff. I’m still swimming heads down freestyle so a neoprene cap, goggles and silicon earplugs are essential for me. We have a short walk from the car to the beach so also bringing warm water to rinse with. Thanks for the videos, really enjoying the content.
Hey Mark warm water for feet after is a real treat. Head in the water at this time of year is game on - well done for keeping that going. Right now I’m an occasional head-dunker!
I pretty much have all the same essentials as you but I also wear a very attractive fleece onesie!😂super quick to put on and incredibly warm. My daughter thinks it’s horrific but I love it! I have the same swimming gloves as you, they are brilliant and have lasted 4 yrs so far. My latest addition to essential kit is a rechargeable handwarmer which I have found to be a godsend as lately I seem to suffer with numb hands after my swim. My favourite thing about winter swimming is the fact that I don’t care what the hell I look like as long as I’m warm, there is something rather liberating in going out in the most unflattering clothing! Thanks for another great video!
I too have a fleecy onesie. It doesn’t come out to play often, but when it does I’m toasty warm! A hand warmer is a good addition and I sometimes have one. I tend to use my drink cup for that - bonus as it cools quicker making it drinkable but also warms my hands!
During the colder momths i live in onesies 😊 I have many funky onesies and they are warm, snug, obviously super stylish and most of all fun 😅 and super easy to just step into under my towelling robe! ❄️💙😋
Hi Rachel, as per ushe, this is a great video. I love the simple and practical approach to dipping with an emphasis on function, not fashion. I use a lot of the same gear in the swim season prior to freeze-up. One thing that I love, love, love is my neoprene swim cap which I always wear with a silicon swim cap over top. This head-hugging combo keeps the heat in and the wind out. The silicone swim cap also helps to keep the neoprene swim cap in place as neoprene tends to slide around on my hair when it is dry. I love your bag with all the handy compartments… such a great design and very practical. Unfortunately, my hearing is not the best and I don’t do well with water in my ears so, no matter what the conditions or the season, I always wear silicon ear plugs. They really help to keep the cold water out. I love the beach scene and the sound of the waves in this video. Such a calming place to swim and film. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and enthusiasm. It helps keep me tuned into the swim season even tho’ in northern 🇨🇦 where I live it is skating season. Have a great weekend. Ⓜary🥶❄
Hi Rachel 👋 USB rechargeable hand warmers are really good, bring some life back into your fingers. Particularly useful if like me , you cycle on to work after a morning dip 😀 Main tip from me is don't go in the water if you're already feeling cold. A brisk walk along the beach, especially if it's shingle, can help you build up a bit of internal warmth before going in.
Great idea that bag is well good with different compartments,I use Rip curl wetsuit bag,it has 2 good handle straps,and pull cords to close the bag,and can stand in it so feet are of the cold ground,started wearing gloves now as temperature will be around 2 degrees at our lake tomorrow,brilliant vid as usual,Rachel great tips .x👍
I did consider standing in the bag, but being on shingle, I think I'd want to put something under the bag to protect it. Hope the lake is starting to warm up a bit.
The idea of stepping into a vest is absolutely genius! I've always struggled with trying to keep decent whilst getting that first dry layer on as soon as possible. I've heard that some people swear by fleece lined snow boots to keep their feet toasty after a cold dip!
Hi Rachel! As always a great video and some useful tips. I have pretty much the same as you but in the winter months I couldn’t manage without my hot water bottles! I’ve made a wrap around holder with a Velcro strap that takes 2 small hotties (one at the front and at the back) it really helps with getting warm quickly !
@@EverydayAthleteRach I have 2 mini ones! I have made a wrap around hottie holder with a wide Velcro strap. It holds a hottie on the front and one at the back! Super snuggly!!
Great video, Rachel. Personal fave's are: 1. A 'HOT' flask (it will always cool down), but hot drinks really help me warm up afterwards. 2. Oversize, thick Alpaca socks - mega-warm and comforting for cold feet. 3. A THICK Down Jacket - superbly warm yet light insulation. 4. Imerse your face early in the swim - it seems to help the cold reflex system to acclimatise me! Oh, and summer always helps!😂
Thanks for that, your videos are so helpful. Been watching and getting your advice since I started swimming a year ago. One extra thing for me is a bottle of warm water to pour over my hands and swim-boots/shoes, then my feet. It warms up the extremities and washes off the sand. A fab but cold dip in Colwyn Bay sea this morning. 🌊
My winter swim kit list is very similar to yours, which is not surprising because I watched your videos three years ago for information on the essentials of winter swimming. Rather than a seperate bag and changing mat, I use turtleback bag, though, which is combination of both. You can sit or stand in it with all your clothes arranges around you in the right order. I keep folded towel on the insulated spot to keep my feet (or my bottom respectively) as far away from the cold ground as possible. It’s interesting that you say your hands and feet stay WARM when protected by neoprene. Mine don’t. They just don’t get cold as quickly and maybe not quite as cold as they would without neoprene.
Brilliant advice Rachel. I'm adding fingerless gloves to my kit now. My swim buddie and I are keeping on going as best we can through our first winter. It's been a big learning curve managing the time in the water adjustment to allow for afterdrop. One of your previous videos gave me some great information on how the body can be affected after coming out and what to expect. As far as this video is concerned...my only possible tip would be to use gloves with a velcro fastening on the wrist for easier taking off. Fingers still get cold but not that bad. We've managed in 4 degrees of water for a max of 15 minutes. I found we had to do some kind of monitoring which we weren't doing in summer at all. Love your channel❤
Hi Lynne, thanks for sharing your experience. I stay in less than 10 mins in less than 10°C water and rarely have afterdrop symptoms. Just keep on getting in and the winter will turn into spring. Well done so far xx
This was so very helpful and practical, Rachel. Thank you for the practical ideas that are inspiring me to try cold water swimming this spring in the States. I liked your gloves and was wondering if you have a minimum thickness you recommend for these?
I'm on my second pair of Lomo gloves. The first pair would also have been on their third year had I not forgotten they were drying out in the garden and left them overnight for a fox to play with 😂. Really good piece of swim kit though.
How do you handle getting your legs out of a wetsuit? I tend to step on one wetsuit leg and then pull my foot out. But, I feel that might be really hard on the wetsuit. Thoughts?
I have been out of the water with an injury and I can start to get back in dipping (no swimming for now), miss it a lot. I wonder how long it will take me to acclimatise again
How long have you been out? Habituation lasts for ages so you should be ok. Just take it steady and don’t stay in more than a couple of mins the first few times. Good luck with the recovery x
I usually swim on a sandy beach so I use an IKEA bag with a towel in it as my changing area. Keeps everything from getting all wet cold and sandy. I take off my sandy neoprene booties before stepping into the bag. I can even sit down inside the bag if necessary while changing. Sometimes I bring a small foam gardening pad to sit or stand on, very warm and comfortable on cold hard surfaces. After I change all the wet gear gets wrapped up in the IKEA bag and stuffed back into my pack.
Great video, thank you!
The Ikea bag is a cracking idea - great size to be able to move about. Love these tips!
Thanks for adding that a 'big coat' will do. Cycling to swim I just layer up, generally using older clothing that has stretched a little so easy to put on and taking extra to wear post swim when I need warmer clothing as I travel there with my cossie on. Using two panniers to separate wet and dry stuff helps.
Great tip about the wet and dry panniers!
I love the bag, I use a cheap IKEA bag to keep my wet stuff separate from my dry stuff. I’m still swimming heads down freestyle so a neoprene cap, goggles and silicon earplugs are essential for me. We have a short walk from the car to the beach so also bringing warm water to rinse with. Thanks for the videos, really enjoying the content.
Hey Mark warm water for feet after is a real treat. Head in the water at this time of year is game on - well done for keeping that going. Right now I’m an occasional head-dunker!
A warm rinse... brilliant idea, thank you 😊
Once again Rachel, you are helping us all to be brave. Looks like a lot of organization. Have a good week. 😊
I keep a bag in my car most of the time then I’m good to go 🏊♀️🦦😀
I pretty much have all the same essentials as you but I also wear a very attractive fleece onesie!😂super quick to put on and incredibly warm. My daughter thinks it’s horrific but I love it! I have the same swimming gloves as you, they are brilliant and have lasted 4 yrs so far. My latest addition to essential kit is a rechargeable handwarmer which I have found to be a godsend as lately I seem to suffer with numb hands after my swim. My favourite thing about winter swimming is the fact that I don’t care what the hell I look like as long as I’m warm, there is something rather liberating in going out in the most unflattering clothing! Thanks for another great video!
I too have a fleecy onesie. It doesn’t come out to play often, but when it does I’m toasty warm! A hand warmer is a good addition and I sometimes have one. I tend to use my drink cup for that - bonus as it cools quicker making it drinkable but also warms my hands!
You are hardier than me, I’ve been in my onesie for the last 2 weeks😂 ( maybe I just like wearing it but don’t tell anyone!!!😂)
During the colder momths i live in onesies 😊 I have many funky onesies and they are warm, snug, obviously super stylish and most of all fun 😅 and super easy to just step into under my towelling robe! ❄️💙😋
Love a onesie!
I have a Wild Moose tote bag too, that I bought on black friday. Its a great bag.
Good bargain/hunting action!
Hi Rachel, as per ushe, this is a great video. I love the simple and practical approach to dipping with an emphasis on function, not fashion. I use a lot of the same gear in the swim season prior to freeze-up. One thing that I love, love, love is my neoprene swim cap which I always wear with a silicon swim cap over top. This head-hugging combo keeps the heat in and the wind out. The silicone swim cap also helps to keep the neoprene swim cap in place as neoprene tends to slide around on my hair when it is dry. I love your bag with all the handy compartments… such a great design and very practical. Unfortunately, my hearing is not the best and I don’t do well with water in my ears so, no matter what the conditions or the season, I always wear silicon ear plugs. They really help to keep the cold water out. I love the beach scene and the sound of the waves in this video. Such a calming place to swim and film. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and enthusiasm. It helps keep me tuned into the swim season even tho’ in northern 🇨🇦 where I live it is skating season. Have a great weekend. Ⓜary🥶❄
Hi Rachel 👋
USB rechargeable hand warmers are really good, bring some life back into your fingers. Particularly useful if like me , you cycle on to work after a morning dip 😀
Main tip from me is don't go in the water if you're already feeling cold. A brisk walk along the beach, especially if it's shingle, can help you build up a bit of internal warmth before going in.
Thanks for the tip! Those hand warmers are great, and the shingle warm up can really make the difference!
Great idea that bag is well good with different compartments,I use Rip curl wetsuit bag,it has 2 good handle straps,and pull cords to close the bag,and can stand in it so feet are of the cold ground,started wearing gloves now as temperature will be around 2 degrees at our lake tomorrow,brilliant vid as usual,Rachel great tips .x👍
I did consider standing in the bag, but being on shingle, I think I'd want to put something under the bag to protect it. Hope the lake is starting to warm up a bit.
Love the bag. I have a load of dry bags of all sorts. But the pockets inside look great!
The pockets are super useful! So nice and neat inside.
Top tips! Another informative video as ever, Rach x
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Hot water bottle - love the Wild Moose one in a fleecy wraparound cover, fastens with Velcro so you can wear it hands- free👐🏻
That is a cracking piece of kit, but I don’t take it every time 💦😀
The idea of stepping into a vest is absolutely genius! I've always struggled with trying to keep decent whilst getting that first dry layer on as soon as possible. I've heard that some people swear by fleece lined snow boots to keep their feet toasty after a cold dip!
Hi Rachel! As always a great video and some useful tips. I have pretty much the same as you but in the winter months I couldn’t manage without my hot water bottles! I’ve made a wrap around holder with a Velcro strap that takes 2 small hotties (one at the front and at the back) it really helps with getting warm quickly !
I do love a hot water bottle, but am often not organised enough to have one!
@@EverydayAthleteRach I have 2 mini ones! I have made a wrap around hottie holder with a wide Velcro strap. It holds a hottie on the front and one at the back! Super snuggly!!
Brilliant advice Rachel. For me my chai tea, underwear, something to cover my head and my changing robe are essential
Great list. Underwear is too fiddly and takes too long for me!
Hi Rachel. I’m with you on the M&S vests and the stretchy socks! Essential!
Easy off, easy on. Nevermind the style points!
As ever - practical and useful advice! Thanks Rachel
You're so welcome!
Very useful hints Rachel.Thank you
You’re welcome!
Great video, Rachel.
Personal fave's are:
1. A 'HOT' flask (it will always cool down), but hot drinks really help me warm up afterwards.
2. Oversize, thick Alpaca socks - mega-warm and comforting for cold feet.
3. A THICK Down Jacket - superbly warm yet light insulation.
4. Imerse your face early in the swim - it seems to help the cold reflex system to acclimatise me!
Oh, and summer always helps!😂
Top tips! Love summer - it means longer and more adventurous swims for me!
Thanks for that, your videos are so helpful. Been watching and getting your advice since I started swimming a year ago.
One extra thing for me is a bottle of warm water to pour over my hands and swim-boots/shoes, then my feet. It warms up the extremities and washes off the sand.
A fab but cold dip in Colwyn Bay sea this morning. 🌊
Ooh lovely Colwyn Bay. Warm water for the extremities is a great addition xx
My winter swim kit list is very similar to yours, which is not surprising because I watched your videos three years ago for information on the essentials of winter swimming. Rather than a seperate bag and changing mat, I use turtleback bag, though, which is combination of both. You can sit or stand in it with all your clothes arranges around you in the right order. I keep folded towel on the insulated spot to keep my feet (or my bottom respectively) as far away from the cold ground as possible.
It’s interesting that you say your hands and feet stay WARM when protected by neoprene. Mine don’t. They just don’t get cold as quickly and maybe not quite as cold as they would without neoprene.
The Turtlebag does seem like an excellent piece of kit!
Brilliant advice Rachel. I'm adding fingerless gloves to my kit now. My swim buddie and I are keeping on going as best we can through our first winter. It's been a big learning curve managing the time in the water adjustment to allow for afterdrop. One of your previous videos gave me some great information on how the body can be affected after coming out and what to expect. As far as this video is concerned...my only possible tip would be to use gloves with a velcro fastening on the wrist for easier taking off. Fingers still get cold but not that bad. We've managed in 4 degrees of water for a max of 15 minutes. I found we had to do some kind of monitoring which we weren't doing in summer at all. Love your channel❤
Hi Lynne, thanks for sharing your experience. I stay in less than 10 mins in less than 10°C water and rarely have afterdrop symptoms. Just keep on getting in and the winter will turn into spring. Well done so far xx
@@EverydayAthleteRach thank you, Rachel, and for the guidance.
This was so very helpful and practical, Rachel. Thank you for the practical ideas that are inspiring me to try cold water swimming this spring in the States. I liked your gloves and was wondering if you have a minimum thickness you recommend for these?
Hi, thanks for watching Kristin, I think my gloves are 2mm thickness which is plenty and I can still use my fingers a bit.
Thank you very much, @@EverydayAthleteRach! I look forward to trying your recommendation and wish you many fun swimming adventures this season!
I'm on my second pair of Lomo gloves. The first pair would also have been on their third year had I not forgotten they were drying out in the garden and left them overnight for a fox to play with 😂. Really good piece of swim kit though.
Bet the fox had a whale of a time with glove puppet! They’re my go to.
@@EverydayAthleteRach oh definitely. That was the end of the wrist gator 😂
Hi Rachel, I really like the flask you're using for your hot drink - can you tell us where it's from please? 🙂
Hi, it's a Hydroflask, here's my amazon link: amzn.to/3HrP8pM
Thanks Rachel, really good advice! Where are your trousers from/what make? They sound like something I need in my kit!
They are Musto fleecy trousers, bought, like much of my clothing, from eBay!
Really useful, thanks. I do quite few of these. I've not used a swim hat though and I might add some fingerless gloves to my pack. Do you use a towel?
No not really, I just brush off the water with the inside of my changing robe n get dressed.
How do you handle getting your legs out of a wetsuit? I tend to step on one wetsuit leg and then pull my foot out. But, I feel that might be really hard on the wetsuit. Thoughts?
I prefer to take it off in the water because it comes off like a banana skin.
Does Simon Cowell know you have stolen his high waist trousers?
Hahaha. We share them!
I have been out of the water with an injury and I can start to get back in dipping (no swimming for now), miss it a lot. I wonder how long it will take me to acclimatise again
How long have you been out? Habituation lasts for ages so you should be ok. Just take it steady and don’t stay in more than a couple of mins the first few times. Good luck with the recovery x
Very good advice as always ! You are a pro. 🩷
Thanks for watching Rebecca 💦😀
@@EverydayAthleteRach Love watching your videos
Hi Rachel, I have all the gear, but still not brave enough for this cold weather, but keep up the good work promoting cold water swimming.
Thanks Richard, you’ll be up for it at some point, and when you are you’ll be armed with all the info!