SWIM LONGER IN COLD WATER

If you want to stay swimming into winter, a collection of thermal products is essential. But which are best? Matt Baird and Helen Webster test a selection

We’ll happily admit that Lewis Pugh, the man who swims around Antarctica wearing just Speedos, is a tougher character than us. For as soon as October starts, we demand an open-water swim outfit that will keep us warm and prevent chilly water intrusion.

Thankfully, from thermal wetsuits to base layers and balaclavas, there’s now a huge range of accessories to keep swimming as pleasurable as possible into the winter and beyond. Because, frankly, from the sea to reclaimed quarries and mountainside lakes, cold-water swimming provides an exhilarating surge of adrenaline, and much-needed variation to your training once the UK triathlon season has wrapped up. You’ll also emerge a stronger and mentally tougher open-water swimmer by the time the new season starts.

As always, safety is a key consideration when it comes to open-water swimming, especially in the winter where visibility and staying warm are crucial. So take someone with you, don’t overdo it and ensure you kit out properly, both during the swim and afterwards.

For us, fit is key to limit water intrusion and for comfort, so aim to try before you buy or exhaustively analyse the sizing charts. As it’s not used for extended periods of time, our cold-water kit has lasted multiple seasons so try not to skimp on spending a quid or two here and there.

Look to cover all of your extremities but aim to find kit that keeps you as flexible as possible. And don’t care if the kit makes you look like a nutter; you’ll get some odd looks swimming in the British sea in November anyway, so embrace it!