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VOBSTER QUAY INLAND DIVING & SWIMMING CENTRE
VOBSTER QUAY
SURFACE WATER TEMP:  17.0 °C    UPDATED:  04-06-2023
SURFACE WATER TEMP:  17.0 °C
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The water temperature at Vobster Quay may drop over the winter months but that's no reason to stop swimming! Follow this fact-packed guide to cold water swimming safety and good practice.
STAY SAFE THIS WINTER
COLD WATER SWIMMING GUIDE
Swimming continues throughout the year at Vobster Quay. If you are planning to enjoy some autumn to spring cold water swimming please read this important guide.
When surface water temperatures drop, combined with low air temperatures and wind chill the risks of cold water shock, hypothermia and after chill increase all of which can have significant health consequences.

It is mandatory to wear a swim wetsuit at Vobster once water temps drop below 14degrees unless you have signed a Cold Water Disclaimer form and that you adhere to the revised terms and conditions of entry for cold water swimming. Cold water swimming can be envigourating, fun and good for your mental health, however, it is really important to understand the risks involved. In terms of acclimatizing and keeping your acclimatization through the winter we recommend that you swim at least once a week.

Photo courtesy of Sally Hooper
COLD WATER SWIMMING
EQUIPMENT MATTERS
One important aspect of cold water is the equipment you use. Whilst you may be comfortable with basic equipment during the Summer months, it's important that you plan ahead and bring the right gear when the temperature drops...
When planning a cold water swim, think about the kit you need both in the water and pre and post your swim - lists of both in-water and topside kit is provided opposite. Do not hesitate to ask if you need advice on cold water specific equipment - many items can be found in our onsite shop. A full range of hot drinks and food are also available onsite.

When choosing a wetsuit for cold water swimming, the most important consideration is fit. How well a wetsuit fits is vitally important as an ill-fitting suit with restrict your movement and allow cold water from the lake to flush through it, reducing any thermal benefit you gain by wearing a wetsuit!

We recommend a full suit so that as much of your body (including arms and legs) is protected by a layer of thermal insulation. A decent swim wetsuit will vastly improve your cold water swimming experience and will prove to be a worthwhile investment!
Cold Water Swim Kit
IN-WATER
  • Bright thick silicone swim cap
  • Swim goggles
  • Swimsuit, rashy vest or similar
  • Tow float
  • Waterproof whistle
  • Swim wetsuit suitable for cold water
  • Neoprine gloves, socks or boots
PRE & POST SWIM
  • Plenty of warm dry clothing layered for extra warmth
  • Warm, dry towel
  • Dryrobe or similar plus hat and gloves
  • Fleece blanket
  • Something to eat and lots of hot drinks!
BE RISK AWARE!
COLD WATER SWIMMING
So what are the risks of cold water swimming and how can these be best managed? Below you'll find a guide to the signs and symptoms that you should be aware of whenever you enter cold water...
COLD WATER SHOCK
Cold water shock can be experienced at any time in the year when you first get into relatively cold water. This initial reaction to cold water can lead you to stop breathing or cause rapid hyperventilation - in extreme cases, it could even trigger a cardiac arrest. As suggested above, appropriate and progressive immersion with controlled breathing is the best way to prevent or limit 'cold water' shock. DO NOT DIVE IN as this causes rapid cold water shock.
AFTER CHILL / AFTER DROP
After chill occurs when the body's core temperature continues to drop despite the swimmer exiting the water and in the relative warm. Prolonged cold water exposure and/or rapid re-warming such as having a hot shower can cause the blood to flush to the peripheral blood vessels and away from the body's core. This can lead to dizziness, nausea, fainting and ultimately severe hypothermia/cardiac arrest. Once out of the water, gradually re-warm following the advice opposite and make sure that you feel ok before you drive.
STAY SAFE AS YOU SWIM
BE HYPOTHERMIA AWARE!
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in the bodies essential core temperature below 35°C when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing your heart, nervous system and other essential organs to not function properly.
Exposure to cold environments such as cold water, low air temperatures and wind chill can lead to the rapid onset of hypothermia. Whilst the colder the conditions the body is exposed to the more rapid the onset, factors such as age, gender, body type and acclimatization will influence how quickly you might develop hypothermia and its severity. There is therefore no reliable method of predicting the rate of onset in even the most seasoned swimmers.

When you are swimming in water colder than you, your body initiates a process to protect your vital organs. Blood vessels shunt (moving blood to where it's needed) the warm blood away from your skin and limbs towards your vital organs by reducing the blood flow to your extremities. This allows more oxygen to be delivered where it's needed the most. Your body will be working hard to maintain your core at its normal temperature. This process is called peripheral vasoconstriction. It's the body's way of protecting against hypothermia.

This process starts to reverse when you get out of the cold water. Your body begins to send the warm blood from the core back to the skin to warm up again. The problem is that it also cools the blood as it does so, as it's now mixing the warm blood with the cooler blood, and then re-circulates the cool blood back to the core, meaning that your temperature will drop further.
This is known as the 'after-drop'. This doesn't happen immediately, and when you exit the water you'll probably feel great for a short time. This delay occurs because your cooler blood hasn't reached your core straight away. Within a short space of time, however, you will begin to shiver. Shivering is one of our body's immediate reactions to generate heat. Shivering makes your muscles contract and relax quickly to produce heat to raise your body temperature.

The symptoms of hypothermia can onset at different rates and you may not always be aware of them developing as hypothermia can affect, amongst other things, your cognitive ability - ie. your ability to think clearly and make intelligent decisions. Your brain is very sensitive to the cold and electrical activity rapidly slows down in response to it, so your ability to make decisions and react becomes impaired.

Think you may be suffering from hypothermia?
If you suspect that either you or your swim buddy is suffering from the onset of hypothermia after exiting the water, that person should immediately dry off and wrap themselves in towels and layers of warm clothing and a hat, focusing particularly on the extremeties. A severely hypothermic swimmer may need medical attention so always inform a member of our staff immediately.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA
MILD SYMPTOMS
  • Dizziness
  • Shivering
  • Hunger and nausea
  • Increased breathing
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Lack of coordination
  • Tiredness
  • Increase in heart rate
  • Poor judgement
  • Cold, pale skin
  • Numb hands and feet
MODERATE SYMPTOMS
  • Shivering, but importantly, as hypothermia worsens, shivering stops
  • Worsening coordination difficulties
  • Slurred speech
  • Significant confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Apathy or lack of concern (doesn't recognise that they are in any danger)
  • Weak pulse
  • Shallow, slow breathing
  • Paradox undressing - removes clothing despite the cold because they feel warm
  • Muscles become stiff
  • Slow pulse
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
SEVERE SYMPTOMS
  • Shivering stops
  • Extreme confusion
  • A decline in consciousness
  • Weak or irregular pulse
  • Slow/shallow breathing
  • Coma - can result in death
COLD WATER SAFETY #1
PRE-SWIM PREPARATION
As the old saying goes, prepartation is key and should never be overlooked. Here's our guide to the steps you should take to keep yourself warm before you hit the water...
  • Make sure that you have suitable kit - not just for before and during your swim, but also for your post swim recovery (layer like an onion skin rather than one thick layer such as a change robe).
  • Make sure that you have eaten something a while before you swim, not just for energy but also to increase your metabolic core temperature.
  • Have hot drink and food available or money to purchase some from the on-site catering to aid your post swim recovery.
  • Pack a hot water bottle in your kit bag, your post swim clothes will be warm, and you will have something to hug afterwards.
  • As the temperature of the water drops, reduce the duration of your swim and your exposure to cold water.
  • Set realistic goals for your first swim back - the water temp is still in single figures until May, so a short swim and re-acclimatisation is fine.
  • If you have been swimming in other locations, please help us to protect our ecology - especially our native whiteclawed crayfish - by thoroughly washing and rinsing your swim kit.
COLD WATER SAFETY #2
DURING YOUR SWIM
Cold water swimming is a safe activity providing you swim within your limits, wear the right cold water swim gear and follow common sense guidance. Here's our guide to what you should do whilst you're in the water...
Photo copyright © Jason Brown
  • Be positive and progressive entering the water - wash your face, splash water on your skin, flush your wetsuit and slip into the water focusing on relaxed long breathes out rather than shouting or gasping
  • Take your time to settle your breathing with slow deliberate head up strokes, use the three-breath test before swimming at any speed
  • If you are new to cold water swimming please swim around the 300 metre loop not the full 750 metre course
  • Swim within your own limits, listen to your body and get out before you get too cold as your core temperature can continue to drop significantly after you exit the water
  • Do not compete with others, if you are cold get out and gradually re-warm
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of core temp drop and hypothermia
COLD WATER SAFETY #3
POST-SWIM RECOVERY
So you've completed your swim and you're ready to exit the water - but what now? Below you'll find sound advice that will help you to recover from your cold water swim safely and quickly...
  • Remove all cold wet clothing as quickly as possible and either get dressed quickly and warmly or cover yourself with warm blankets. Immediately after swimming you may feel great as the cooled blood has not yet returned to your core.
  • Don't take a hot shower as this will increase the rate at which cooled blood returns to the core and makes the drop faster and deeper. Cold water swimmers have been known to faint in hot showers. Wait until you've warmed up again before showering.
  • Get out of the water before you get too cold as you will continue to get colder after swimming – give your body a margin of safety.
  • Don't attempt to drive or ride a bike until your core temperature has recovered. Driving and shivering is not a good combination. If your core temperature drops too much and you become hypothermic it can also affect your cognitive abilities. Again, not good for driving.
  • Drink something hot and eat something. Shivering is a highly energy consumptive bodily function. You need to fuel it.
  • Keep an eye on your fellow swimmers. Someone who appears completely fine getting out of the water may be in trouble 10 minutes later and may need your help.
GET THE KNOWLEDGE!
COLD WATER SWIM SAFETY
Professional swim coach Richard Smith presents a comprehensive guide to staying safe during the colder months. Grab a coffee and listen in as Richard reveals the essential knowledge, equipment and skills you need to keep swimming over the winter.