I've been swimming in open water for two years now, but this will be my first winter swimming without a wetsuit. I plan to make it through the winter, although right now I can only go about 1/2 a mile. I really want to work up to at least 1 mile at the current temperature (60 degrees). So I have many questions on my mind, but here are a couple to start off with:
1) In the last month, my caloric intake per day has nearly doubled!!! I know part of it must be from swimming in cold water--I think my body is trying to develop an extra layer of fat to protect itself--but there might be other factors (I've also started lifting weights etc.). So I wonder if anyone else has experienced the same thing.
2) I swim at La Jolla Cove at night--is there anyone here who is interested in joining me? Otherwise it's just me and the sharks!
I have a lot of other questions burning on my mind...I am so glad I found this forum!
SurferGirl:
I'm not clear on what caused you to panic - just the general night swimming or the wipeout with the wave when you were leaving the water.
If it's just the general night swimming then that's relatively easy: experience. I used to be terrified of swimming at night but after I did it repeatedly in Aquatic Park the confidence built incrementally each time and now it's a special pleasure to be able to swim at night & see the city scape all lit up.
If it's the waves tumbling you about upon your exit then you need to try reading the waves better so you can hit shore between waves or learn to body surf them in. And, if they're about to crash on top of you, do like the surfers do, go underneath them til they've passed.
And that's real smart not to be out there by yourself.
SurferGirl:
I'm not clear on what caused you to panic - just the general night swimming or the wipeout with the wave when you were leaving the water.
If it's just the general night swimming then that's relatively easy: experience. I used to be terrified of swimming at night but after I did it repeatedly in Aquatic Park the confidence built incrementally each time and now it's a special pleasure to be able to swim at night & see the city scape all lit up.
If it's the waves tumbling you about upon your exit then you need to try reading the waves better so you can hit shore between waves or learn to body surf them in. And, if they're about to crash on top of you, do like the surfers do, go underneath them til they've passed.
And that's real smart not to be out there by yourself.
