Wim Hof

Acclimatisation

Adapting your mind and body to be comfortable being uncomfortable

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When I got back into swimming, about 12 years ago, I started back in the local pool.  Generally swimming pools are about 27 degrees and are therefore pretty easy to get in and swim without the need to acclimatise.  Getting into the pool your body does well to adjust and your core temperature will take a long time to get to a point where you go hypothermic, you are more likely to get kicked out of the pool when they close before this happens.

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Moving into the outdoors, the water temperatures are significantly lower, particularly between October and May.  When I mention to some people that the temperature was 17 degrees, they immediately associate this with air temperature and assume that it wouldn't be that bad.  It's probably why some unfortunate incidents that happen throughout the UK, and the world, where people drown as they underestimate how cold 17 degrees is when immersed in water.  Acclimatising to the conditions is really important when swimming outdoors. 

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In 2010, when I took part in my first open water swimming event, I wore a wetsuit.  The water temperature was probably about 20 degrees or so, but the wetsuit provided me with the warmth and comfort to swim without too much anxiety.  As I took part in other events leading up to