Swim despite corona – in the lake!

Dive in and swim off

Are you one of the recreational swimmers who has had to stay on dry land since lockdown start-ed, because the public swimming pools across Switzerland were closed? Can you slowly feel your feet starting to tingle, and can you scarcely wait until you can swim lengths in an outdoor pool again?
In the neighbouring canton, the first indoor and outdoor pools are slowly beginning to open again for recreational swimming. It won’t be too long now before the pools in Zug Canton also open their doors again. Until then, the blue waters of Lake Zug or Lake Aegeri are very tempting. Have you maybe even wondered, justifiably, if you should dare to jump into their cool, wet depths? However, there are several things you should pay attention to during your first strokes in a lake. A circumspect and defensive start is very important these days.

Although physical activities like swimming benefit our physical and mental health, swimming in public bodies of water also entails some risks. That is why it is important to prepare properly. You should focus on a few things before getting into the cold water.

When was the last time you went swimming?

For most of us, this was before lockdown. That is now already two months ago. Consequently, your foot and calf muscles are no longer accustomed to the strains that typically occur when swimming: stretching out your feet when swimming front crawl, butterfly stroke or backstroke, turn-ing and bending your feet when swimming breaststroke. In addition, our bodies are no longer used to the regular cold stimuli that we know from the first few metres, even in a heated indoor pool. Our bodies must get used to both the new movements and the cooler ambient temperature before we can really swim off.

What is worth considering when swimming in a lake or river?

Although everyone responds differently to a long break from swimming and cold water, caution should be exercised before you plunge into open waters.

  • Train your leg and foot muscles: If you frequently suffer from calf- or foot-muscle cramps, then it is recommended that you pre-pare these muscles in advance for the unaccustomed stress, maybe with a theraband and targeted exercises.
  • Water temperature: Regarding the water temperature, it is important that your body gets used to the temperature before you jump in. Never jump directly into cold water without having familiarised your body with the water temperature first! Jumping into cold water like that could overload your cardio-vascular system. Go gingerly into the cold water and let your body gradually get used to the water temperature. Wet your legs, your arms, your abdomen and then slowly submerge your-self. Repeat this until you are used to the water temperature.
  • Follow swimming rules: The well-known rules continue to apply. Read them and remember them.

If you are finally in the water, and euphoric from the happy rush of adrenalin and endorphins, en-joy the moment and make sure you keep a cool head. Remember the principle of never swimming a long distance alone. With the current conditions and social distancing, this is rather more diffi-cult to keep to than usual. Find a swimming partner from your own household, or get together with a friend and swim one behind the other, at the necessary distance. If this isn’t possible, don’t swim long stretches, but short ones, in open water. Less is more. If you are alone on and in the lake, then it’s better to swim a short distance several times than to take on a long distance unac-companied.

Take care of yourself and your swimming companions and obey the 6 swimming rules.

Enjoy feeling light in the water, enjoy the cool water on your skin and the sun in your face. Let your eyes sweep up to heaven, breathe deeply in and out, and enjoy the moment!

This might also interest you:

22. Juli 2022

Balance

20. August 2020

Wanderlust: take the plunge

28. Juli 2020

Hiking in the mountains is not going for a walk