Adjusting Your Swim Training During The CoronaVirus Outbreak

Adjusting Your Swim Training During The CoronaVirus Outbreak

Normally, around this time of year, our pool squad is reaching the last few sessions and we are preparing to enter the sea for squad training.  However, we strongly uphold the advice from our governing bodies, they put a lot into supporting us, and we will not go against it, so for the foreseeable, there is no OW squad training.

The truth is that some swimming pools are still open and Public Health England (PHE) have put out a notice saying that coronavirus cannot be passed on in chlorinated water.  It is the social gathering in the changing room that is high risk.  Likewise, the sea is also a natural disinfectant and there is plenty of area to swim whilst maintaining safe social distancing.  It is still possible to swim safely.

I call this time of year crossover period at PeteWilbyTriathlOn.  Around Easter time is when lots of open water swimmers are thinking about getting back in the sea.  We wrap up the open water pool training and begin proper open water training and adventure swims.  The lifeguard service is about to regain patrols of the beach full time.  The other clubs and organisations that organise swims and activities are getting prepared for the summer.  However, the organised public swims are unlikely to be running until after the coronavirus shutdown has subsided.  Nothing is quite ready for sea swimming yet.  People, understandably, wish to get in to swim earlier given the circumstances and they can.

Here are eight of my tips for staying safe in the sea during the Coronavirus outbreak:

• Arrange to swim at the same time as your friends, or whilst a friend can remain on shoreline so that there is someone there should you need assistance.
• Double up on swim hats.  If you keep your head warm you will generally stay more comfortable.
•  Don’t go too far out.  Cold water can have a paralysing affect on the muscles.  At least if you get too cold close to shore it will be easier to exit.
• Get changed, before and after, at home.  Wear a dry robe or dressing gown for the commute.  This will help to limit the amount of time in social contact.  Changing is the higher risk area for passing on the virus when swimming.
• Wear a thick woolly hat before and after to help keep the heat in. 
• Consider gloves, booties, a thermal underlayer and neoprene hat if you really feel the cold.
• Take your time getting in.  Those first few minutes getting use to the change of temp will help the body adjust and cope with the cold-water shock.
• Simply don’t go if you have symptoms, we have been advised to stay at home, this is for your safety and that of others.
• I hope this helps and perhaps, if you decide to swim at Teignmouth beach over Easter, I will see you there (from a distance).

I hope this helps and perhaps, if you decide to swim at Teignmouth beach over Easter, I will see you there (from a distance).