Hi all.
I wondered if anyone had tried open water swimming at all as regards PCa?
I've just taken it up to see what all the hoo ha is all about.
I'd heard a lot about how positive cold water immersion could be, from Wim Hoff sitting on a glacier somewhere to ladies at my yoga class, extolling the virtues of cold water dipping sessions.
So off to our local water sports centre which has a huge lake and plenty of lifeguards.
I've never been a strong swimmer but did gain my life saving certificate when I joined the police (you dont have to be able to swim now to be a cop, there must be an app for it). So that meant a mile swim in the pool or 65 lengths.
That was when I was 22. When I retired at 52 I decided to see if I could repeat the 65 length swim and with a fair bit of effort I managed it. But I didn't keep it up, as swimming lengths in a public pool is not my idea of fun.
So why on earth did I decide to swim in a dark and murky lake which today was two degrees C colder than the north sea at Bridlington?
Well, with a wet suit on its a heck of a lot easier with the added boyancy, it's like swimming in the dead sea. Swimming in open water is so much more free than in a pool. No stopping and turning every 25m. I swam 300m in one direction and still didn't run out of lake.
The cold really is just a quick shock when you first get in. Once you're immersed you warm up pretty quickly and it's actually warmer in the water than in the air.
Swimming amongst the swans and geese is really funny, they pop over for a butchers at you then swim off with a knowing look on their beak, "stupid humans, they haven't preened properly"
Honestly I was ready to be let down and find it was just a fad or hype. But really I felt so good after being in the cold water. It wakes you up, energises you and really benefits your mental health. Its good for aches and pains and seems to reset my system.
You don't have to stay in for ages, in fact several short dips a week are better than one long swim session.
If you want to do some exercise that has added value then cold water swimming or dipping is well worth a try.
Just find a suitable place to take part, with life guards and a proper set up.
Mick.