Cold Water Pool Problem

[deepergreen]

Hey, I have a quick problem, that I would like your opinion on (obviously)

So, during my winter months I practice freediving about 2 times a week at a pool at my university. I am very skinny (Sub 4% body fat) and the water is 80... though closer to 78 most of the time.
After a few laps underwater I start shaking uncontrollably from being to cold. Because of the shaking it makes it very un practical and very un enjoyable to continue, not to mention its impossible to relax and focus on staying calm. I have though of some solutions, let me know what you think and if there is any others that come to mind

1) Gain some fat (this is impossible for me because I am a semi-competitive distance runner and the fat slides of me, I do about 60km a week)

2) Get a wetsuit. This seems like the most obvious thing, however, I already look funny to everyone else when I don`t do laps like everyone else... putting on a full wet suit wouldn't help this, and I don't like drawing attention. Is there a more Descrete option? perhaps just a top? I dont know..

3) there is a hot shower a few feet away that I could use to warm up every time I start shaking. But this would make re-entry to the pool very displeasing...

4) do laps whenever I get cold... I feel that if I did this, by the time I caught my breath I would be cold again....

Let me know what you think, or if you have any other ideas.. Its not easy being skinny!

Thanks, Deeper Green

 

[jschultzdanmark]

I have the same prob here - only solution that'll let you train with the necessary calm and concentration is a wetsuit. The 'regular' swimmers look at me funny too

 

[deepergreen]

I guess I`ll look into maybe a top and bottom seperate... nothing too thick... after all it is 80 degrees

 

[trux]

Have a look at some posts of Eric Fattah, who often dives without a wetsuit in the cold Canadian waters. He recommends some nutrition to increase your cold reistance. For example here, but there are more threads in the archive where he speaks about it: http://forums.deeperblue.com/general-freediving/52821-how-can-i-increase-resistance-cold.html

Or put some chem heat-packs into your trunks

Another idea would be using a wetsuit in body color (or transparent), so that nobody notices you have one. Try some SM and Fetish stores, they surely have something like that.

 

[baiyoke]

Deeper Green - what you need to do is this:

- Put your right hand down your crotch and stretch the balls a bit
- Buy yourself a suit.
- Whenever you get that feeling of being the weirdo in the pool, remind yourself that you practice the coolest ever sport in the universe and walk proud...

No seriously, I think you won't regret buying a suit, being tense no matter the reason is for me the opposite of freediving... Just do it, feel varm and relax, and forget everyone else.. Chances are the others are actually quite curious about what you do, and think "freediving" is really cool, or at least a very extreme bad-ass sport...

Enjoy training as much as possible...

 

[Haydn]

You could try a neoprene knee length swimsuit and neoprene T shirt. A full wetsuit might be too hot.

 

[AmberNerissa]

Firstly, get a full 1mm wetsuit. I tried a wetsuit top in the beginning but found I was still freezing.
Secondly, get a buddy to train with! this is not only for safety you know. You will feel a lot less self conscious if you aren't the only one wearing a wetsuit might have to get used to the looks though... wait till you start using a mono!

 

[Simos]

I am on the skinny side too. I tried the hot showers between laps, it does take off the edge a bit. I also tried swimming fast laps etc, you do get a bit warmer but by the time you bring your heart rate down you are cold again. But you could do underwater sprints instead that will keep you warmer...

I also think nutrition makes a big difference - I've noticed it particularly on lake days. Also, I think you can condition yourself over time to handle cold better; just got to be a bit masochistic lol

You can also get a 1mm neoprene long sleeve top - doesn't look weird.

Maybe even try having a hot water flask pool side and drink in between?

Out of curiosity, do you ever feel like throwin up when you get cold?

 

[growingupninja]

A swim cap helps more than you might think, even just a latex one. You can also get a neoprene cap... I hate wearing a wetsuit in a pool but have fairly good cold water tolerance and feel queesy when I am too hot during apnea so if I start to feel chilly a swim cap does the trick.

 

[onebreath280]

Almost all pro freedivers wear a wetsuit in the pool, cold can be the worst enemy for aprea training. Plus do you really care what the "splashers" think?

 

[deepergreen]

Lol at splashers and fetish suits

Haha, no I have never really felt sick from the cold.. Maybe because I stop before then, ya.. Thinking it over wetsuit might be well worth it, besides the life guards look at me funny when I'm shaking like crazy anyway

 

[deepergreen]

I'll check the archives as well, but does anyone know how chlorine affects a suit? best way to make sure it doesnt get eaten?
I have a skiing wet suit so, maybe its off different material...unlikely though

 

[wjohnson100]

With respect, suck it up and get a wetsuit. Your problem is not that you are getting cold, your problem is that you don't want to draw attention to yourself. Pretty sure it is too late for that if you are doing dynamics and statics with a buddy in a pool, so you might as well go the whole route and get a wetsuit. I guarantee that if you get warm and do a 6 minute hold or more, you won't much care who sees you, and when they look at you, it will be in amazement.

 

[Ms Mer]

Yep, get a wetsuit. Do you really need to waste energy caring what the splashers think about you? Even if you use a monofin they would likely stare at that. Seriously, worrying about what others think is a waste of time. You are there to train for your your self, not care about them and what they may or may not be thinking. Believe me, having a wetsuit makes a difference. The pool water should be fine on the suit, just wash in out thoroughly in cold fresh water after each training session and hang out to drip dry. You can also get wetsuit wash. I rinse mine out in this every month or so. It helps get rid of odours and is gentle on the suit. Also, if you are training alone, and it sounds as i you are, get a buddy or join a group. Post something in the USA/Canada forum. There are bound to be others in your area into freediving and its just not safe to be training on your own.