My name is Joan Murray Barton, born and raised in Kingsville. My parents were Douglas and Leila Murray, and I had a brother John. I am a retired RN living in the bush here on the Bruce Peninsula for the past 17 years and loving every minute.
What I would like to talk about is Cold Water Swimming. You are never too old to learn something new about yourself. Always remember that! When I was about 68 I learned by accident (but that’s another story!) that I like distance swimming and, better yet, open water swimming.
There is a lake called Berford Lake, which is 10 minutes away, that I started to go to just about every day for a 45-minute swim. Well, as fall came on last year and it started to get cooler, I started to research how I could carry on and stumbled on a Cold Water Swimming site.
Through my research I was able to continue. The first item I added was neoprene socks. The feet are quite vulnerable. The second item was neoprene gloves.
Through consultation with the local dive shop and outdoor equipment shop I came up with the addition of merino wool long underwear. A wetsuit was suggested but I’d tried one a few years ago. That was out as it made me too buoyant and I couldn’t swim!
So, thus outfitted, I continued until the shore ice took too long to get through and my feet asked me, What the heck are you doing!
I thought I was finished Nov. 23 and tried to continue the great feeling you get from this activity by cold showers but that wasn’t working. I happened to be driving by Colpoy’s Bay Dock on Georgian Bay and there was open water, so it was on again! I was so very happy and it was only 10 minute’s further drive for me.
Today the water was 3 C and the air was minus 10 C. My body is so conditioned that it is no problem. In fact, I’ve had to ditch the long underwear because it froze as I was coming out, so now it’s in the skinny! (I did check with the OPP and topless is ok with them.) I’m sure the local fishermen, who are regularly on the dock will be OK, they look pretty tough!
My research suggests that you stay in for the number in minutes that the water temperature is. So today I was in water that was 3 C for 3 minutes. I keep my car running so it is warm and I have a sauna at home that I turn on before I leave.
The health benefits are great. Cold Water Swimming boosts the immune system, it is anti-inflammatory. It also boosts endorphins which boosts libido and you feel high all the time — no drugs involved! In my 76 years, I have never ever felt this good!
In my humble opinion, this is a very under-used therapy that could be so helpful for so many people.
** Now to the caution — and this is very important!
Firstly, you need to check with your health care professional before embarking on this.
Secondly, you can NOT start now. It’s a gradual conditioning of your body that is necessary and it takes time.
So will I see you next summer?
Cheers!
Joan Murray Barton
Photos provided by Joan Barton
Hi Jone, Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Zoe Huson.
You are welcome Zoe .
Thank you for your interest!
Cheers Joan 😊✌️❤️
Glad to see that Kingsville times is continuing to cheer on one of there former citizens.
Joan is still keeping her Facebook friends entertained with her CWS and other antics she gets up to.
I am so happy you’re on that wave with me Joanne ! What fun we’re having !🌊😁 ❤️
mmmmmmmmm did you say topless
Hi Dave , That is what I said . I just know you were wondering whether it was a typo ! 😉
It was not . Cheers Joan
Well done Joan. I retired from my job as a scientist in the oil and gas industry about a year ago. Tell Tony I’m finally getting back to my first love (teaching chemistry) when I start a new job as an adjunct professor at a local college in Texas next week. I’ve done the polar bear dip in Kingsville in the past and can attest to the rush you get from the cold water. Keep having fun. And thanks so much for the flowers to mom, she talks about them every time I visit her.
Hi Tim , Your Mom told me you had retired but not that you’re going back to work! Not ready to relax yet eh? Andrew retired last fall and is enjoying life. I know how much you Mom likes flowers. It’s just a small thing I could do since I don’t get down to Kingsville anymore.
Thank you Tim I’m happy you enjoyed my article!
Take care Tim, lovely to hear from you!
Cheers Joan
Great article Joan. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Terry , glad you enjoyed it .
Cheers Joan
Hope all is well with you !
I started swimming open water after I retired from nursing too. Actually swimming pool first but with Covid and So many closures and I live on st Clair river . I did get a wetsuit from B. C. Got Covid mid Nov. Husband got quite sick so I got out of grove. I will restart in spring. You are an inspiration Joan.
Good for you Jackie ! Isn’t it great and I know you’ll get back at it this spring ! You go girl !
Cheers Joan 😊🏊♀️🥶🏊♀️
Congrats Joan . Keep these stories coming!
Thank you Cathy ! ❤️
Great story Joan. Say hello to Tony, my former tennis buddy.
Thanks Ed glad you enjoyed it !
Tony’s face lite up when I gave him your greeting . Hi back to you and Janice ! 😊
i am one of Joan’s nursing classmates and have been following her on this new adventure.What fun we have had with her pictures and commentaries on her daily adventure in CWS.We may not be in that water physically but with her in spirit.love you Joan.
Joanne you brought a tear to my eye ! I love you for that and for being at my side all along the way through all these years even though we are so far away from each other . You are the best Joanne and we have many more adventures to go !
Wonderful story Joan ! You are very brave. I knew your brother John as we were closer in age.
Thank you Frances ! I was so excited to talk about CWS . Jody and Mary Ellen have done a great job . Kudos to them !
Thank you for mentioning my brother John . Such a sweet man taken too soon !
Thank you again so happy you enjoyed it !
Cheers Joan 😊