What age can you start swimming?

Low temperatures are an external factor that undoubtedly works against the performance of certain sports. In this sense, water sports and those carried out outdoors are the main losers. Can you swim in winter?

This is a query that many fans of this sport often raise. Of course, an obvious answer immediately arises: it is impossible to do it outdoors and in unheated pools, unless you have material specifically designed for it –such as neoprene suits for diving–, although even then it is not advisable.

Therefore, the requirement to swim in a sports center with indoor and heated pools is imposed from the outset. However, we can also list other recommendations for swimming in winter with a lifeguard course near me. Meet some below.

5 suggestions for practicing swimming in winter

Except in countries where low temperatures exceed degrees below zero, practicing sports in cold weather does not pose a vital risk to people. However, as it is a water sport, swimming requires taking into account some important considerations.

1. Water temperature is essential

Of course, in cold weather, swimming in open water is totally ruled out except for professionals equipped for such situations, as well as doing this sport outdoors.

To practice swimming, you should resort to sports centers that have heated pools. In addition, these must be located in closed enclosures.

2. Cooling should be avoided

Even indoors, cooling immediately after physical activity can lead to health problems such as respiratory conditions. Also, as cold causes peripheral vascular contraction, this can be harmful to hypertensive people.

For this reason, it is highly advisable to put on dry clothes as soon as possible after finishing the swimming session. Also, when returning home, it is best to dress appropriately to avoid a sudden change in body temperature.

3. Do not add extra clothes

Although we previously mentioned that it is important to avoid getting cold, it is worth mentioning that it is not necessary to wear additional clothing when swimming in winter. 

We must consider that the body itself generates heat when physical exercise is performed. Therefore, if we make the mistake of using, for example, a wetsuit to swim indoors, we will be unnecessarily overheating the body.

This, in addition to being detrimental to the athlete's performance, could also be very dangerous to health. If you think your body is cold enough to start swimming, it's okay to wear thermal clothing to keep warm out of the water. However, when entering the pool, wear the same clothing that you would wear in any other circumstance.

4. Drink fluids regularly

Hydration is essential in a sport like swimming, even in winter. As we said, the body generates heat during exercise and, although we do not notice it, we lose water when we swim.

Given these changes, the recommendation to drink fluids before, during, and after swimming in winter is maintained. You can resort to drinking water or sports drinks, but avoid those that contain sugar, carbonated drinks, and, of course, alcoholic beverages.

5. Beware of injuries when swimming in winter

In winter it is more difficult for the muscles – and for the body in general – to get ready to exercise. Therefore, the importance of performing a good warm-up increases even more.

On the other hand, although it seems like a somewhat 'extreme' warning, we must be careful not to suffer from hypothermia. This occurs when the body temperature drops below 36° without the body being able to recover.

Precisely, a common cause of hypothermia is excessive training, before which the body runs out of resources to raise the temperature. Its symptoms are dizziness, lack of coordination, or even speech problems.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the above advice applies to athletes in 'normal' health conditions. If you have asthma, a chronic respiratory condition, or another such problem, it's best to consult your doctor about precautions to take when swimming in the winter.