Winter Irish Sea Swimming

A Few Words to Describe the First Two Minutes

Portavoe beach, Northern Ireland

Ok, come on. You do this most days. Here’s the sea. Slowly does it. First sting of cold getting inside the neoprene socks. Legs in. Not too bad. Up to mid-thigh. Right, that’s a bit cold! Six degrees centrigrade. Yes, cold indeed! Oops, there’s a rock and some seaweed. Time to swim.

And in…

Argh! Breathe. Holding my breath! Breathe! Move! Freezing! Panic! Move! Good, now swim! Elation! Laughing! You did it!

Now, come on, up and down the bay, six minutes and out. Well done!