Hi Lesbubbles here to bring the blogs back to the high standard of the old days! 😀
Anyway…..Yesterday’s COLD swim the ‘winter badge’ was definitely being tested!! Today that artic wind had left us thank you very much… still a bit cold though!………….
So…. you wanna get your Winter badge?
Well read these Cold water swimming facts and they might just help! (ps. does not really work if you wear a wetsuit!)
1. Boosts your immune system
For your body, a sudden and drastic change in temperature constitutes an attack – as anyone who’s ever fallen overboard in British waters will concur. And, whilst “attacking” your own body may not sound like a good thing, there is no harm in keeping it on its toes. In fact, quite the opposite.
Scientists from the Czech Republic immersed witting subjects in cold water for one hour, three times a week and monitored their physiology. They found significant increases in white blood cell counts and several other factors relating to the immune system. This was attributed to the cold water being a mild stressor which activates the immune system and gives it some practice.
2. For an all-natural high
Winter swimmers talk a lot about the ‘high’ they get from cold water – a feeling of wellbeing that’s so encompassing that it becomes quite addictive (who doesn’t want to feel truly good, at least once a day?) The cause? Endorphins.
Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and, in the case of a cold dip, it uses them to take the sting away from your skin. So, to get high on your own supply, all you need to do is jump in a river.
The cold will also stimulate your parasympathetic system, which is responsible for rest and repair, and this can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are a vital part of keeping us happy and low levels of them are linked with depression. Couple this effect with the endorphin rush as you take the plunge and it should make for a warm glow and a wide smile when you re-emerge.
3. Gets your blood pumping
Being hot brings blood to surface. Being cold sends it to your organs. Both extremes work your heart like a pump. That’s why the whole sit in the sauna, roll in the snow, sit in the sauna thing makes people glow. But why is increased blood flow good for you?
Well, it helps flush your circulation for starters, pushing blood through all your capillaries, veins and arteries. It will exfoliate your skin and flush impurities from it, thus helping your complexion (firm-bodied women of all ages around pool sides say it stops cellulite). Evidence also demonstrates that your body adapts to the cold with repeated exposure and this may improve your circulation, particularly to your extremities – no bad thing in the winter months.
You could get these benefits by switching between the hot and cold taps in your shower (or the sauna, snow, sauna thing) but that doesn’t sound nearly as fun as quick dip in your local pond followed by wrapping up warm afterwards.
4. Improves your sex life
In a study with a similar format to the one described above, participants took daily cold baths and were monitored for changes. In addition to some similar results to their Czech counterparts, these researchers also found increased production of testosterone and oestrogen in men and women respectively.
In addition to enhancing libido in both sexes, these hormones also play an important role in fertility. In fact, one technique recommended for men looking to fatherhood is to bathe their testicles in cold water every day. Whatever your procreative desires, a dip of a different sort certainly could add an edge to your sex life.**
** disclaimer: swimming with BnB in winter does NOT improve your sex life but could improve your sex DRIVE! 😀
5. Burns calories
Swimming in cold water will make your body work twice as hard to keep you warm and burn more calories in the process. For this sort of exercise, fat is your body’s primary source of energy and the increased work rate will increase your metabolism in the long run.
The only DOWNSIDE to winter swimming 🙂
And now to today’s swim…
Another beaut sunrise!
LSA getting tripley prepared …with 3 headcovers!
BUSTED! Rainer (Lips) ticking!
He knows these sheets are only for those who a) don’t have a computer b) new to BnB c) can’t be bothered to use the ilog (this is just down to one person now…he knows who he is!)
Speaking of ticking /i logging. This is only for swims between 6am and 7am… (anything after that is not a BnB swim!) Just so you know….
Below Little Ledge Cam is so determined to get his winter badge..he gets his mum Hilary to bring him down even if he’s still asleep!!
Swimmers long shadows…
At Shelly…here’s Cam awake and at 11 years old he swims to Shelly AND back!! And he swam yesterday in that cold head wind! He definitely deserves the Legend badge!
….er… Mary blog tarting!?!?!?
The old game of ‘throw the seaweed’ resurfaced today whilst we waited in the cold… it’s a good way to take your mind off the hyperthermia… started by Roz…and taking up the challenge is Mary…
So if the thought of swimming at the moment is unappealing…check out these UNTOUCHED photos ..Yes this is what it looks like!!
Back on dry warm land! Here we are in the sun at Bluewater!!
Another beaut swim!
Water Temp: 18.1
Air Temp: 11
Here I am with Monday’s dead cuttlefish…..Signing off Lesbubbles 😉
SATURDAY MORNING 7am swim – Snorkles aka Sharon will be diving, as in scuba diving, with us from half way with her camera and wants to take some proper underwater shots – she’ll be the one with PINK gloves on so look out for her and pose!
Bottom of the Blog – the very useful stuff
Week 5 of the Winter Badge season.
There are 14 weeks in the winter season. To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in a minimum of 7 different weeks. So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!! Make sure you use the i-Log to register your without wetsuit for the WWW badge.
B&B i-Log
The B&B i-Log is the best way to capture your swims!! Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge.. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
Staying safe
There may not be any waves just at the moment, but are you prepared for their return? Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
25 comments
ed
25/06/2014 at 11:01 am
Sold
I’ll be there tomorrow
Simon
25/06/2014 at 11:08 am
“Like”
As requested by Lesley
Lips
25/06/2014 at 11:24 am
Well said Lesbubbles. Nothing like bathing one’s testicles in cold water every morning!
LSA aka HKTQ
25/06/2014 at 11:40 am
Little Ledge Cam is such a star…. and I’ve noticed Mary is becoming more and more of a blog-tart:-)
Lyndall, I thought we had a blog-tarting date? You’ll just have to do an early double swim with me at the weekend to make up:-)
I knew the triple head cover would do the trick:-) Great to have you back blogging and….SWIMMING too, Lesbubbs! I think you need a double-wetsuit if it’s all sex drive and no sex life:)
Toni
25/06/2014 at 11:41 am
So did the winter badge season start on 25 May or 1 June please?
The Submarine
25/06/2014 at 11:43 am
or you could go for a swim
Snorkles
25/06/2014 at 12:01 pm
A scoop! Lips using the forms. He was so worried after I mentioned that it took a couple of days to update the swim badge spreddy, that he has resorted to ticking and using the App!
Bit concerned about LSA’s look as she stretches poor Cam into some pose! LSA you should leave that to Magic Hands Andrew to perform!
Lesbubbles
25/06/2014 at 12:14 pm
June 1
ros
25/06/2014 at 12:21 pm
Nice to have you back on the blog, Lesbubbles. The seaweed throwing was merely to keep Mary warm.
Sir Michael [EX CI]
25/06/2014 at 12:25 pm
You’re doing pretty well over there! Water temperature at Port Beach was 15.9c this morning!
Lesbubbles
25/06/2014 at 12:33 pm
Holycr@p Michael commented!!
Lesbubbles
25/06/2014 at 12:35 pm
Oops I didnt thoroughly proof that article! Heehee I see it now tho!!
No wonder we have so many BnB babies!!
LSA aka HKTQ
25/06/2014 at 1:02 pm
Poor Cam, ha?? He’s a natural Blog Tart Star and you can see how delighted he is to be encouraged to show off his swimming muscles:-) He’ll be doing the Manly-Bondi in no time!
La Cordukes
25/06/2014 at 1:08 pm
Has anyone found a ladies Orca S5 wetsuit? I left it behind on Saturday. Thanks
Mr Inverted.
25/06/2014 at 1:14 pm
I thought 21/6, the Winter solstice was the start?
It’s so cold. Can I use a sock?
barton_julian@hotmail.com
25/06/2014 at 2:28 pm
Agree! Impressed out of my socks by Cameron!
Slow Ian
25/06/2014 at 2:38 pm
Fiji – water temp 25 deg, air temp 29 deg. Fine and sunny, slight cooling westerly breeze. Happy hour about to start.
LSA aka HKTQ
25/06/2014 at 3:58 pm
Was it left behind when Bella’s went missing? Have you asked the Surf Club? If you’re not swimming tomorrow, I can take a look for you in their box.
Hilary
25/06/2014 at 4:26 pm
Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Young Cameron is loving swimming with the B&B and is totally motivated to get his winter badge! I didn’t realise just how cold and challenging it would be as I’m going stroke for stroke with him. In the swell yesterday he came to a sudden stop off the Bower… gulp, my heart sank. He called out “Mum are you OK? “. I smiled all the way home as he got stuck into it. What a great bunch of people to swim with!
Mary
25/06/2014 at 6:03 pm
It worked too! Look out for a mass weed toss tomorrow 🙂
Mary
25/06/2014 at 6:06 pm
Wow! The power of a Lesbubbles blog.
Mary
25/06/2014 at 6:07 pm
No illegal ticking Ian!!
Elizabeth
25/06/2014 at 6:13 pm
The long shadow photo is great. I love this time of year.
Back in Birmingham
25/06/2014 at 6:26 pm
Awww that put a lump in my throat Hilary. What a great bunch of people for sure!mM
Missing you all and the sunrises,swim and Manly.Just at Birmingham airport waiting for a delayed flight to Spain.Great blog Lesbubbs!
Sarge
25/06/2014 at 7:10 pm
John, I’m just not feeling the love from you………