Transition to Cold Water

Swimming long distances in a heated pool is NOT conducive to Channel swimming. It is great for conditioning, pace and speed work; but it does not challenge one with waves, cold, sea creatures and large ships! Pool swimming over 10 km in length is also tediously boring. In contrast, there is no pace clock, lines on the ocean floor, or need to perform flip turns in the open water. It is just me and the elements. As such, I am motivated to swim longer distances by simply staying focussed on the end-point--whether that destination is 15, 20 or 25 km away.

This past week, I made a complete transition to open water.

1. May 17th 12 km (3 hrs 10 min.) swim in 10'C (50'F) Okanagan Lake in a full body wet suit. I ended up with a significant wet suit rash and vowed to hang up the neoprene for the year.
2. May 19th 3 km (45 min.) swim in 11'C (52'F) Okaganan Lake in just my Speedo, silicone bathing cap, goggles and earplugs. This is the longest sustained cold water swim I have done without the aid of a wetsuit.
3. May 20th 4 km (60 min.) swim in 14'C (58'F) Christina Lake (near Grand Forks). Christina Lake is the warmest tree-lined lake in BC. It is surrounded by the Monashee Mountain range. This was a sunset swim...just me and the Loons (no pun intended). A very relaxing swim after a long day of work-related travel and meetings. Swimming through calm waters and taking in the sun setting over the Monashees every time I turned my head to breathe, was Zen.
4. May 22nd 5 km (80 min) swim in English Bay, Vancouver. Winds were 20 knots--resulting in wind waves and some swell. Perfect conditions for Channel training. The water was a balmy 14'C! Felt great and I did not lose any stomach contents.
5. May 24th 4 km (60 min.) swim in Okanagan Lake. The lake has warmed up to a balmy 11'C! My cold water tolerance is building.
6. May 25th 5 km (1 hr 40 minutes) swim to commemorate the opening of the new Okanagan Floating Bridge. While 10,000 citizens, politicians and my family were walking the new span, I took the opporunity to swim right beside them. The encouragement I received from friends, family and spectators inspired me to keep going. Thanks to Conny, Pascale and Laura from Okanagan Masters Swim Club for escorting me safety through all of the boat traffic.