 In Australia it’s beach season all year round, epic sunrises greet us in the morning, let's make the most of it. During winter it's too easy to stay home or just give 50% effort in the gym, instead of getting outside in the elements and moving. Sure, it’s not all that appealing to simply go out for a run on the cold sand in the morning or head to the beach for a surf when the waves aren’t all that friendly or immerse yourself in cold water for a swim workout but it's worth it for your physical and mental health. 'When the cold weather hits swimming is probably an activity that's far from your mind. But swimming is in fact one of the best activities everyone can undertake in winter! Swimming as regular exercise will strengthen the immune system - people who swim may be less likely to fall ill with the common colds and flus that go around in schools, universities and daycare centres over the colder months.' says Royal Life Saving WA Why swim through winter? Feeling a natural high, invigorated, alive are just a few descriptive words used. It is widely discussed and documented that cold water swimming has numerous benefits for us: Boosts your immune system Gives you a natural high Improves circulation Burns calories Reduse Stress You can meet some new crazy like minded friends. The same way many athletes use cold water therapy and ice baths as part of improving their performance and recovery, we can also use it to benefit both our physical and mental health. In Sydney the water only drops to an average balmy 17-18 degrees in winter, which although many would say that’s not ‘cold water’ swimming, hummm I disagree, its cold enough for me.
When I ask year round swimmers why they swim throughout the winter:
Stay safe There are some basic safety you need to be aware of. First, never swim alone. Joining a group or continuing to swim into winter with your friends, is the best way to approach a winter season of swimming, as this will help you stay safe and motivated. Secondly, be aware of your limits and ability in the ocean. Take advice from those who are more experienced than you. Want to feel comfortable and confident with your ability and skills in the ocean. Contact Linda for Learn to Swim, Introduction to Ocean Swimming, Ocean Swim Skills and Stroke Correction lessons. 
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Naomi contacted GoodSwim wanting to progress with her swimming ability and also to feel more comfortable in the ocean. As a keen surfer, Naomi felt she needed more confidence with waves, moving water and reading the ocean. Need to get more confident in the ocean – contact Goodswim today and chat to Linda about a tailor made solution. What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? My body knows how to float and swim short distance in a pool or in the shallow part of the ocean. I have never thought about ocean swimming. How did you feel after your first few sessions? I was never able to swim freestyle but I did it on our first lesson! Linda’s instruction was super clear that all I had to do was practice. Swimming long distance (i.e. one end to the other end of a pool) has never been a fun activity for me but I began to enjoy it.
Coaches notes: Naomi came to GoodSwim looking to gain confidence in the ocean and learn how to breathe efficiently and effectively doing freestyle. After several pool sessions to work on her breathing and ability to stay calm and relaxed Naomi became too reliant on the pool walls for comfort and they also created distance barriers. So we progressed slowly into the ocean where Naomi started to feel at home and loved to watch the fish as she swam along. In fact it was getting harder and harder to get Naomi to continue swimming and not get distracted by the fish! We also did some small wave body surfing which she also loved and I have never seen a smile so BIG. Naomi also reached her goal of swimming Manly to Shelly beach and it was beautifully captured by another great friend and swimmer @hesgallery. See video here >
As surfers we need to be sure of our own ability to be in the ocean and being able to swim is both essential and potentially life saving! Always respect the ocean and look at the conditions and ask yourself... 'If my leash breaks whilst out surfing could I swim to shore or safety?'.
If you are looking for ocean or surf swimming lessons get in touch today! Esme came to GoodSwim with a love for the water but wanting to progress from breaststroke and become more efficient in her freestyle stroke. Also wanting to become more relaxed and comfortable in open/ocean water. Need to get more confident in the ocean – contact Goodswim today and chat to Linda about a tailor made solution. What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? I am a breaststroke swimmer who loves ocean swimming, I wanted to learn freestyle (the crawl) having stopped at some point as a kid. I had previously learned a few pointers at a few group lessons elsewhere however my confidence was low and I needed someone to really look at what I was doing and needed to do. How did you feel after your first few sessions? My first lesson I was nervous and embarrassed, I’m not very good with direct attention especially relating to athletics. It was exactly what was needed though. The first thing that Linda did was enable my confidence as a swimmer, highlighting my strengths and investigating areas for improvement. The classes were challenging in the best possible way and I could feel myself improving. How did GoodSwim help you on your swim journey? I feel that I have been given excellent tools to help me become a better swimmer and have valued all of my swim lessons and ocean time with GoodSwim. Linda is supportive whilst being analytical so my stroke and ability are continually improving. GoodSwim is an extremely apt name both the lessons and regarding becoming a (better) swimmer. What was a breakthrough/stand out moment for you? Linda asked me when moving from oceans pools into the open water, can you feel it when you move into a current, I couldn’t I was still thinking about too many things, other swimmers, the massive waves, the open water, where the shore was, sea life, my breath, my arms, my legs, my body in the water, my foggy goggles, a rogue swim cap and my ability. I love it now when that’s all I feel, I’m moving through the current swimming. It's not all time, it's just a really lovely moment. Do you have a goal or personal achievement you are working for in 2020? I still have work to do on becoming the capable swimmer I want to be, I’m focusing on technique, fitness and confidence all of the time, as an adult learner slow and steady is ok by me. Then it's time to join some open water swimmers freestyle. Coaches notes: Esme came to GoodSwim looking to learn freestlye and gain knowledge of how to breathe efficiently and effectively. As a breaststroke swimmer Esme relied upon that stroke whenever she got out of breath and was feeling uncomfortable. But from a couple of pool sessions she begin to gain more distance without stopping and to breath more comfortably. We also did a couple of sessions in the ocean to gain more confidence without walls to rely on. Being in the open ocean comes with its own set of challenges both physically and mentally. Esme was able to work on both of those elements whilst feeling the freedom of ocean swimming and trying to overcome being pushed outside her comfort zone.
We love to hear about our clients swimming journeys with GoodSwim... What was your swim ability before you started swimming with GoodSwim? I could only swim the normal breaststroke but wasn’t able to do a good chest crawl. How did you feel after your first few sessions? After the very first lesson I already felt so much improvement and was sure I was able to learn it in a relatively short period. How did GoodSwim help you on your swim journey? Linda is such a fun, lovely woman who has a lot of patience and she has so many good tips. That helped me a lot. What was a breakthrough/stand out moment for you? That I felt that I was a much faster swimmer and it cost me less effort than a normal breaststroke. Do you have a goal or personal achievement you are working for in 2020? I have not yet set a goal for 2020 as my reason for taking the swimming lessons was mainly to gain skills and use it to improve my paddling for surfing. When there’s no surf I can always decide now to swim instead! Coaches notes: Flo came to GoodSwim looking to learn freestlye and gain knowledge of how to breathe efficiently and effectively. Flo progressed from the basics of learning how to breath, into a relaxed and smooth freestyle swimmer after just 4 x 30 minute swimming lessons. From swimming 5 metres with her head out of the water to swimming multiple 50 metre laps of the pool comfortably was both amazing and a privilege to a part of her journey. EPIC FLO! Flo also applied the skills to her surfing and became more confident in the ocean. It improved her paddle strength, technique and also for ability to control her breathing in conditions and situations outside of her comfort zone. As surfers we need to be sure of our own ability to be in the ocean and being able to swim is both essential and potentially life saving!
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