A dose of 'vitamin sea'

ON cold winter weekend mornings, if you look out past the Crow Stone monument on Chalkwell Beach, you will see a band of hardy swimmers heading out to sea.

Whereas most people wrap up warm to brace the cold days, open water swimmers, like the Chalkwell Redcaps, get into the sea when water temperatures can be as low as two degrees wearing just a wetsuit.

Or if you are like endurance swimmer Jane Bell, just a swimming costume.

"We are a healthy bunch and probably have a good immune system, less colds and good circulation because we swim outdoors," says Jane. "There are people of all ages and sizes and at least one member who is in their eighties."

Open water swimming takes place in outdoor bodies of water such as open oceans, lakes, and rivers.

It is not necessarily an endurance activity reserved for triathlons and open-water races. Swimmers can take it at their own pace and swim whatever distances they like.

So what does it feel like swimming in open water at this time of year?

"It feels like pins and needles and a bit like burning," says Jane, smiling.

"I still find it hard getting in, but I even find it hard getting my shoulders in when I get in a pool. The sea is easier because when it's choppy because it does the work for you with the splashing water on your body to get you used to the temperature."

Jane is a registered osteopath who got into open water swimming when in July 2010 when she took part in The Great Pier Swim, a local 3k event in my home town of Southend.

She was a competitive pool swimmer as a child and got into sailing and kayaking, representing the Midlands in the K1 sprint kayak discipline in her teens.

Jane continued to train with the Redcaps and in 2013 she swam the English Channel as part of a relay team.

She then joined the British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA) and in 2014 Jane swam the 10.5 mile length of Lake Windermere, returning in 2015 for a two-way crossing.

This year she became the first person to swim the length of Windermere on backstroke and the 52nd person in history to conquer the 21.6 mile length of Loch Lomond.

She writes a blog Meet the Bubbles (meetthebubbles.wordpress.com/author/janemelitabell) where she documents her experience giving a thorough break down of her swims.

"There are a lot of highs and lows swimming that far. At some points I was screaming in my head and wanting to get out and other times I would be comfortable and happy."

What makes a person push themselves to the extreme?

"I don't know why I do it!" laughs Jane. "I'm just normal like anyone else but I have a strong sense of denial. I say I am going to do something, train for it, do my homework, but only really realise that I am going to do it on the day!"

For Jane, being in the water is a way to unwind and have some 'me time'.

She says: "We all have busy lives, juggling work, studies, career progression, families, households, bills, finances the list goes on.

"Swimming opens up a quiet space where only the here and now exist."

Jane supports and encourages her teenage daughter’s swimming and she and Maisie both train at their local club BOSS (Borough of Southend Swimming Club).

Maisie now swims at County level and, for two years in a row, is the reigning Junior Champion at the BLDSA’s annual finale at Lynn Regis.

Now Jane has her sights set on a 24 hour lido swimming challenge and she is all set to swim the Chanel, although the date for that has not been confirmed.

"I would like to keep swimming, I can't see myself not doing it now."

[BOXED COPY - Tri N Swim WELL]

If you are going to attempt open water swimming then it is vital that you are well prepared.

Gill Anderson and Dawn McFarlane are multi triathlon competitors who started a swimming coaching business more than eight years ago.

Tri ‘N’ Swim W.E.L.L in Rochford has an endless pool and they use cameras to watch the swimmer's technique to help them improve.

Amongst their clients is British under-20 Sprint Triathlon Champion Harrison Smith, 16 from Chalkwell.

Dawn says: "We help swimmers progress from swimming in the pool, to the Trifarm lake in Chelmsford and then in the sea.

"It can be dangerous and people need to get their technique right before attempting it. We see people who are confident swimmers in pool who find it very difficult in open water. There can be a current, the temperature is much lower and things like weeds and fish underfoot to contend with."

Swimmers need a healthy respect for nature and the elements.

Dawn says: "Hyperthermia can set in quickly. You need to breathe out as soon as you get in the water but most people's reaction is to

breathe in, not out.

"If you attempt to swim across a lake, such as Windermere, there can be dangers such a tow cables of ferries, people who hire boats and changeable weather conditions."

In the pool the team of coaches use a technique of total immersion which teaches swimmers to move through the water efficiently.

Gill, who is a founding member of the Chalkwell Redcaps, says: "It is a whole body movement. We have had great results with people including Harrison Smith."

She and Dawn have noticed an increased in people interested in open water swimming.

Gill says: "Triathlons have been popular for a while but open water swimming has really grown in popularity in the last few years. The Redcaps can have up to 80 people out in the estuary at the weekends."

They also notice that previously novice swimmers fall in love with the sport.

"Lots of people come to us who are doing a triathlon and do lots of running and cycling but no swimming," says Dawn.

"After a while lots decide to just carry on with the swimming because they enjoy it and it causes less stress on the joints."

The business partners are holding a free lesson to first time competitors of the Haven Hospices Great Pier Swim on 17 June from 5pm to 6.30pm. The Pier Race is being held on 22 July and Tri N Swim WELL are donating money for wetsuit hire to Fair Havens.

The next venture for Tri N Swim WELL is to launch tri holiday excursions in Lanzarote where people can have swim training and the option to cycle and swim as well.

Gill says: "Open water swimming in Lanzarote is great and it is not all about racing. It is nice to take your time swimming and exploring and seeing the fish swimming in the water.

"For the holiday excursions will set up the TV and go through the day's swimming in the evening."

For details visit www.trinswimwell.co.uk.