Safety and Equipment FAQs

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Yes! Anyone, any age or ability! If you have any doubts about your health, especially if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or epilepsy it is recommended to consult your doctor first.

You can wear anything you wish! It is all about you feeling comfortable, swimsuit, rash vest and leggings or wetsuit! You will still get all the benefits from the cold water.

No! You do not NEED anything apart from yourself.  It is advisable to have a brightly coloured swim hat - so that you can be seen, goggles if you swim with them, earplugs to protect your ears from cold water and the wind.  Swim shoes or surf boots are a really great addition, to protect your feet from stones and pebbles, plus if they are neoprene they will help keep your feet warm, likewise with neoprene gloves. A pealess whistle can be attached to your swimwear or float and a waterproof pouch for your keys or phone.

No, it is always best to be as warm as you can before getting in. If you are already cold when you enter the water, you will get colder much quicker. 

No! I do not advise this, the best way to enter the water is slowly…..what that means is to walk or slide in feet - knees - hips - waist then shoulders, this will help you control your breathing.  Slow and steady will help you control the shock.

No, not at all!  You stay where you are most comfortable.  Swimming or dipping close to the shore is absolutely ok, the only difference being out in the deep water is that it’s deep! When you venture out of your depth, you will need to be confident with treading water if you want a rest, and know how to read the currents and tides.  Stay in the shallow water where you can easily put your feet down, it is better to build up your knowledge and confidence first. 

There are so many different factors for this one, water temperature is only a small part of this question.  Air temperature, wind speed and direction? Whether you have eaten recently or slept well - have you been drinking alcohol the night before?  How many times have you been in the cold water before?  It is all about listening to YOUR body.

It is best to have loose warm layers, if you already own or are planning to buy new clothes just for swimming, my advice is to get a size bigger as they will be much easier to put on when you are cold...forget about fiddly buttons and zips! Include warm socks, gloves and a hat, also a change robe or large coat to help keep out any wind and rain.

This depends mainly on the weather.  In mid summer yes if you have warmed up your body, in the winter I would advise not to…place your clothes in the order you want to put them back on - folded and ready to go…you will have around 10 minutes before the cold really hits you, so it's important you dry off and get dressed quickly.  When you are dressed have a warm drink, a snack and walk around - keep moving whilst your body re-adjusts, give yourself 15/20 minutes to warm up slowly before you leave to drive home, sooner if you feel ok.  When you get home, have a warm - not hot! bath or shower.