Swimming in the Rain

Rain swimming is a wonderful experience, much more fun than swimming on a sunny day, so long as you do so safely.

When you swim outdoors many times, you’re bound to run into a sudden downpour. It feels almost calming for some reason. Some definitely prefer it.

An advantage of swimming in the rain is that the water feels suddenly warmer. It also is incredibly relaxing due to the white noise it makes.

A swimmer sees rain from a unique perspective, as raindrops form balls that race across the water surface, or bounce back, creating small mountains of water where they rebound.

Wind can also add to the outdoor experience, creating a wild landscape in the most domestic of swim spots. Beware of getting too cold from wind chill. Always wear a windbreaker like an anorak or such.

Hypothermia from Rain Drops

Something not many people consider is that cCool rain droplets can cause hypothermia during heavy rains.

Since precipitation lingers at high altitudes where the air temperature maybe near freezing, the rain droplets are also cold. When these rain droplets begin their descent towards the ground, they don't have nearly enough time to heat up, which is why rain feels cool to the touch.

You may be bombarded with lots of cool rain droplets during heavy rains. Prolonged exposure gradually depletes internal heat from your body, giving rise to hypothermic symptoms.

Swimmers may not detect the onset of hypothermia. Many confuse these hypothermic symptoms with the sudden shock of cold that runs through the body when immersing themselves in chilled water. This confusion allows the hypothermia to go unnoticed until their condition reaches a point where they can no longer ignore it.

The solution is to wear clothing layers that keep the rain drops off your skin and retain your body's warmth. Anoraks, ponchos or rain capes over a fleece layer let you enjoy a rainy swim.

Outdoor Pools

Rainy days are the best time to visit outdoor pools. Only a few hardy people will go, so the pool will be nice and empty. Add a Samoan flavour to your swim in the rain, "Samoan Style" (fully clothed).

Slippery when Wet

It is a good idea to be careful around your pool when it's raining because your deck and other surface areas can be more slippery than usual. If you slide and fall around the pool, you can seriously injure yourself on a hard concrete or wooden deck, but you can also fall into the water unconscious. A jogging suit with the hood up may soften a fall.