WE CAN ONLY REALLY PLAN A SWIM TO PERFECTION A WEEK BEFOREHAND BECAUSE THAT’S ABOUT AS FAR AS WIND AND SWELL CAN BE ACCURATELY FORECASTED
In this exclusive series for Outdoor Swimmer we have explored the four main variables – tides, currents, wind and swell – that change the sea state on a daily, even hourly, basis. Now we will discover how to take them all into account when planning a coastal swim, with a focus on maximising safety and performance. Although the cycles of tides and currents allow us to pencil in adventures months in advance, we can only really plan a swim to perfection a week beforehand because that’s about as far as wind and swell can be accurately forecasted. But once we have this information, it is possible to anticipate the sea state every hour of the week and find windows of opportunity when the conditions are perfect for swimming. To increase chances of success, I have found that it helps to have a selection of ‘Set-Piece’ swims you can choose from, each one suited to different conditions.