Boxing Day Dip - Training

Evening all.

This year, I might be doing the Boxing Day Dip.

I'm not sure if its just a local thing, so I'll briefly explain what it is. On boxing day morning, to raise money for charity, people get sponsored to run into the sea. You have to dunk yourself fully at least briefly, ie you have to be fully submerged. I've never know the local Redcar one to be cancelled, and last year (or was it the year before), it still went ahead despite the fact that there was snow settled on the beach, and the prom was just one big sheet of ice despite the combination of salty air, having been gritted, and being right next to the big storage heater that is the sea.

The water temp will be above zero no matter what, because, I'm told, the sea temp isn't really affected significantly by the weather. Its coming out of the sea, all wet, into sub-zero air that's the worst bit I reckon.

If I'm going to do it, do we reckon I'll need to train for it? If so, any ideas how?

 

Lots of Cold baths - or nip up to Whitley Bay for a trial run. It's sub zero most of the year up here.

 

Take a look at this, it gives some practical advice (for training in the UK) which you may find helpful
The Outdoor Swimming Society - Cold Water

 

Hi the Xmas day dip in Londons Serpentine is, i think colder than the sea so im sure your be ok .. good luck and take some hot soup along .. Micky :gaagh:

<LI class=g>UK Travel Blog » 40 swimmers take a cold dip in the The Serpentine ...




30 Dec 2010 – The tradition of a Christmas Day dip in The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park has been ongoing for over 140 years, but this year the official ...

 

Good on yer, I saw my niece do this a few years ago, took some guts, but there was lot of support and a great atmosphere!

 

Yea, you need to eat lots and get a bit fat that will help. The layer of blubber will keep you warm. So don't train and eat well over Christmas no alcohol before you go in :D

 

You just make sure you are well covered in "lard" or "goose fat" paying special attention to the crown jewels, and be prepared that you will not see them again for about a week

It is not so much the cold as mind over mater, just do it
"It is only pain, all in the brain"

So quick strip, deep breath run in splash around five minutes run out and warm drink, dry off and warm clothing

Tsh cissies these days
(used to swim weekly between the Roker piers :-)

Jack McH

 

Thanks for the tips and encouragement.

I have a bit of blubber already, so I guess that part is sorted.

Goose fat is a good tip. Years ago my dad used to do it every year. One year he covered himself in Firey Jack (a predecessor to Deep Heat). It back fired (excuse the pun). He said it was as cold as ever going into the sea, but the Firey Jack kicked in after he'd come back out, and I remember him spending most of boxing day that year scratching and he took a few cold baths that day