Cold Water Kit List

Kit list for dover

• 2 x swimming costume/trunks - as there will be two swims per day and when you are cold it is very horrible putting on wet slimy swimmers
• Swimming cap - Clissold yellow hat - IF YOU DO NOT WEAR A HAT YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE WATER
• Goggles (and spares if necessary)
• Waterproof watch - lightweight plastic watch with large face - as swims in sea/cold water will be based on time not distance - it will be necessary to know what time it is!
• Very big beach towel or beach changing 'robe' - as modelled by Sally at Clissold pool. There are no changing facilities on Dover beach so you will need big towel to change under
• Carpet square or bath mat to stand on - Dover beach shingle is very sore on feet when feet are frozen after swimming
• Pool shoes - best shoes are plastic speedos or crocs - slip on plastic shoes - again for walking up and down beach when feet are very cold. Flip flops are not ideal as it's hard to put toes between toe bits when feet are very cold

Clothes for after swim; for warming up

• Lots and lots of warm clothes - lots of light layers/thermals are ideal as a base. Clothes should be loose - it's hard to put on clothes when very cold.
• Jeans not good idea at all - jogging pants or similar etc ideal. Fleece/hoodies/jumpers x lots.
• Wooly hat and gloves and wooly socks and sensible coat - swimmers must have these. Ugg boots or similar are great for girls
• Blankets/sleeping bag/space blanket
• Warm drinks in flask/tea/hot chocolate/soup/hot ribena etc - enough for after two swims

Lotions and potions

• Vaseline - not necessary in pool for everyone but necessary in sea to stop rubbing
• Suncream (factor 20+/sunblock for lips) - it is very very easy to get sunburnt when swimming outdoors. It's best to put on sun cream before getting to beach - before leaving the house in the morning in fact, especially on face. If you put sun cream on face just before going in the water, goggles and hat will come off very easily.
• Anti histamine in case of jellyfish sting Wasp-eze is a good product to help with the after effects of possible jellyfish stings - it cools and soothes local area after stinging
• Nurofen

Miscellaneous

• Emergency contact numbers
• Any medication/inhalers etc
• Big waterproof beach bag - with swimmer's name on it - which will fit all of the above in it
• Shaving - if any boys are shaving then it is necessary to have a good shave before swimming in the sea - stubble will cause bad rashes from rubbing with salt water

Extra stuff

- all the stuff above is ESSENTIAL. This stuff is OPTIONAL

• Wet wipes - good to clean up on the beach, wipe off vaseline/sea salt etc as there are no changing facilites on the beach
• Boiled sweets - good for getting rid of taste of salt water after long swims

Links:

• Sea Safe Sunblock
• Space blankets