How to physically (and emotionally) prepare for your Christmas Day Swim
It’s one of the odder Irish traditions.
No one really knows why humans across Ireland fling themselves into the sea to celebrate Christmas, but every year we turn up and we keep on doing it.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned professional there are a few things you need to emotionally prepare for your Christmas Swim.
A plan
You’ll be needing a good breakfast to brave the waves so get that sorted nice and early. Then gather the gang, check the tides and pick a spot to hit the water.
Our personal favourites include:
- The Dock Beach, Kinsale
- Inchydoney
- Myrtleville
- Garrylucas
- Whitebay
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A mantra
Once you’re parked and stripped down to your togs, just repeat to yourself “it’s grand once you’re in, it’s grand once you’re in”. This little lie will help you survive the anguish of the wade-in and make it through the wintery dip.
Once you’re submerged, you’ve earned the right to gleefully shout the lie “It’s lovely when you get down!” at other shivering swimmers.
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Socks
I can not stress enough how important socks are to a successful Christmas swim. The ground is always the worst part. Early in the morning, it hasn’t had any time to heat up. It’s genuinely colder than the water so if you have old socks to swim in it helps.
Here’s a trick: Bring a fresh pack of socks to put on after. A whole pack. The joy of new socks is as universal as the joy of fresh sheets. Why a whole pack though? In case ya drop a pair! The wet hurry of the post-swim change can be deadly; socks can be sacrificed to the sodden ground. And a third so you have some to give away – this will turn you into everyone’s favourite Santa at the sea.
‘Tis the season and all that jazz.
A hot water bottle:
We cannot stress enough how much a hot water bottle is an actual game changer for the Christmas Day swim.
Get it prepped right before you leave but instead of wrapping it up in its furry case, wrap your towel around it. That way you are genuinely greeted by a warm hug when you emerge from the icy clutches of the sea.
Transfer it to your pile of clothing while you dry off and the warm blasts just keep on coming as you get dressed.
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A flask
Nothing will help you endure your “revitalising” swim easier than knowing you have a nice warm cuppa waiting for you on the sand. Thermoses have made a comeback recently, so fill one with boiling water and bring the tea bags, milk, reviving sugar, and a tinfoil pack of warm mince pies separately.
If you’re not the designated driver, trade the teabags for a hot toddy or a hot chocolate with a soothing shot of Bailey’s.
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