That time of year has returned- the buoys are in and both the air and sea temperatures are beginning to drop.  While we encourage all members to stay in touch with the sea for as long as they wish, there are some safety considerations to be factored in.

1- Have a plan, and be ready to change.
Know your route, stick closer to the shore and reduce your distance into multiple loops if necessary. Swim for time and not distance- It can be hard to know when you are only 50% cold on a single out and back turn point!
More of us have done the ‘walk of shame’ back to the tower when the conditions got too much then you may think. This is always an option, do not be afraid to use it.

2- Check conditions.
Always important when swimming in open water, but more so in the Winter when your swimming pace will naturally be slower so the impact of tides and swell will be greater. Tidesnear.me is a good website to check local tides, remember that water moves slowest for the hour before and after low/high tide and fastest midway between the two. Our prevailing wind in Galway generally pushes away from the tower. Combined with an incoming tide, in cold water, it can be more challenging than expected.
Tow floats are even more important in lower visibility as our seas and skies become a similar colour of grey. Personally I wear it on a shorter bungie line to avoid getting dragged back by the waves.

Do not risk swimming in fog, and be aware that calmer water can feel colder than swimming in waves- adjust the plan accordingly.

Paddy Mac Namara has a WhatsApp group where he shares his daily water temperature reading, worth joining for sure. Renville has it’s own temperature marker (www.dgms.tinamous.com; Username- USER, Password- galway123). Those in the Kinvara side of the bay can adjust by -2 degrees or thereabouts I’m sure!

3– Minimise the faffing.
No pointing fingers, but some of us love a faff.
Arrive with your togs on, get changed quickly, and get in before your core temp starts to drop.  Have your gear ready to get dressed in order as soon as you get out, with sleeves the right way out etc. Choose clothes that are easy to get on quickly, no buttons or small zips- layers are your friend.
My order is; woolly hat over swim hat, merino baselayer top, woolly jumper, fleece jacket, merino leggings, jeans or fleece trousers, down jacket, hiking socks, then snow boots. The final layer is to change the now wet hat, and maybe take off the swim cap by the time we get to the Creamery! 

Remember your core temperature will continue to drop for approx 10 mins after you get out of the water, so it’s important to get dressed as quickly as possible before the shivers hit. If you suffer with ‘the claw’ or a lack of power in your hands, be sure to ask for help.

4- Listen to your body.
Some days the cold will feel much harder. This can be because you haven’t been in a while, reduced sleep, general fatigue, hormonal, a lack of breakfast, additional life stress etc. A bobble hat, heads up wallow is perfectly acceptable, or even staying on dry land and watching the waves from the shore.

5- Extra Tips.
A flask of tap hot water poured over cold feet is a Winter luxury. Too hot however, and it could be a form of literal torture. Exercise caution, but once you start to wrap your towel around a tepid flask, you will never go back.
Keep off the cold concrete like you’re playing The Floor is Lava. Go from rubber matting/old car mats with rubber backing, to flip flops and wear them as close to the waters edge without risking them disappearing on a rising tide.
Hot water bottles that can be strapped around cold bellies or kidneys can really help to ease any back pain as a result of the cold.
Electric handwarmers such as these from Elverys, will get the blood back into your fingers. A pro tip I’ve heard was to leave them on and in your socks before your swim, something for the more precious of us to try.
Avoid any scaldy hot drinks until the shivers have subsided, and ideally have a lid to avoid any burns.
Feed the shivers, eating something sweet is recommended. Like cake.

Some people are better adapted to deal with the cold, and some of our club members have been Winter swimming for a number of years.  Distance swam is irrelevant, as long as everyone gets out safely and is smiling.