So, after reading through some threads in which it seemed like people suggested they trained in open water after dark, my question is: Do You?
Typically, a few times a year (usually when the moon is bright) I will go out at night and do a normal long swim, but I don't make a habit of it. Last October, before the water here in CT got too cold, I went for several night swims (using tinted goggles, which was a bit of a mistake) but now I am thinking of making this a more regular thing in order to train more when the tide isn't conducive to training during the day (i.e. when I'm at work). Is this just stupid?
It doesn't seem any more dangerous to swim at night than during the day (particularly with appropriate goggles:)) since I am always swimming by myself anyway. Any thoughts on this?
Parents
Former Member
I was part of a 5 person english channel double (England-France-England) relay this year. We did one night prior to the event for familiarization before midnight in Sandycove in Cork, which is reccommended. However with the long northern latitude nights in Ireland, I felt it wasn't dark enough until slightly later. It did take some of the mystery away but was very different from the solo night swims during the actual event.
Months later (end of august) during the actual relay (25 hours) I had the dusk to full dark transition and a full dark swim between 2 & 3 am.
Bio-phosphorescence was much stronger in the channel. The sense of peace and calm was very strong, and the water, which was quite choppy, felt calmer (though it wasn't) than during the day. Some of the swimmers didn't like it as much as me, but it was my favourite part of the swim. One swimmer also felt it heightened the sense of feeling cold.
For the channel you must swim with two glowsticks for safety, one on togs, one on hat.
I highly reccommned people try it at least for the experience. I know others who love it, others who don't.
If shore swimming make sure you have a hat nightstick (the new electronic ones are great and visible further, if you can find them) and someone on land with a strong light for reference.
Better still if you could have kayaker with a light to follow.
Regards
Donal
Ireland
I was part of a 5 person english channel double (England-France-England) relay this year. We did one night prior to the event for familiarization before midnight in Sandycove in Cork, which is reccommended. However with the long northern latitude nights in Ireland, I felt it wasn't dark enough until slightly later. It did take some of the mystery away but was very different from the solo night swims during the actual event.
Months later (end of august) during the actual relay (25 hours) I had the dusk to full dark transition and a full dark swim between 2 & 3 am.
Bio-phosphorescence was much stronger in the channel. The sense of peace and calm was very strong, and the water, which was quite choppy, felt calmer (though it wasn't) than during the day. Some of the swimmers didn't like it as much as me, but it was my favourite part of the swim. One swimmer also felt it heightened the sense of feeling cold.
For the channel you must swim with two glowsticks for safety, one on togs, one on hat.
I highly reccommned people try it at least for the experience. I know others who love it, others who don't.
If shore swimming make sure you have a hat nightstick (the new electronic ones are great and visible further, if you can find them) and someone on land with a strong light for reference.
Better still if you could have kayaker with a light to follow.
Regards
Donal
Ireland
