The autumn light is noticeably different as the air cools and becomes clearer the light takes on a new hue and the changing colors of the foliage become quite spectacular, often mixed with clear air and mix of blue and dark grey skies at the same time giving the whole feel a very dramatic effect.

It's also easier to get up for sunrise swims because the days start getting shorter! No longer do you need to get up at 5:00 a.m. in order to catch the sunrise as in the summer, in the autumn you can get an extra hour in bed and go for a 7 a.m sunrise swim, or later as the months progress.

There's still a lot of wildlife to see in the autumn too. In fact you may well see more than in the summer because the seals start pupping in September and October and sometimes put in an appearance offshore as they hunt fish for their newborn pups.

I enjoy the challenge of cold water swimming too, not only in terms of the swim itself but preparation of the kit and of how you minimise the cold after the swim. Autumn is a good chance to hone your skills that perhaps have been forgotten over the summer, dig out your winter swimming kit and start practicing exit strategies such as laying out your kit in the right order, getting a fire going in a twig stove with cold hands, and so on!

I also love the varied weather of autumn. Within one week in September here in Pembrokeshire we had warmth and sunshine and temperatures of 25 degrees, to monsoon type rain and storms. Swim running is also great in the autumn. The cooler temperatures mean you don't opverheat and there's nothing like running long distances in autumn rain then diving straight in the ocean when it's belting down, so exhilerating!

So, grab your gear and get out for a swim in autumn! You won't regret it.

How Far?

The distance of a typical swim hike can be anywhere between a few kilometres to 30 plus kilometers depending on the ability of the participants and of course the time it takes although it is possible to do multi-day swim hikes and throw in a fun camping session into the adventure.

You may be wondering what kit you need and how do you swim in hiking gear.

On the shorter swim hikes indeed you do not need to take that much and can walk and swim in the same equipment typically a swim run suit is perfect for this but you can also even use a well-fitting wet suit with some over shorts to prevent the neoprene from rubbing. Old trainers can be used to swim in much like swim running.

However on the longer excursions it does make sense to change in and out of your hiking and swimming gear and for this reason too you should choose the kit to be as efficient as possible

The Kit

The following is a guide and you should learn what works best for you and also understand the kit you will need is directly affected by the route and type of swim hike terrain you will be covering, the type of swims and water conditions, weather and so on, but the below items will be useful:

• Loose fitting trousers and tops so you can get them on and off easily.
• Lightweight hiking boots or shoes or sturdy trainers.
  
• An old wetsuit or one that you don't mind getting a bit beaten up, swimrun suits are perfect as they are often nylon lined on the outside for added toughness.
• A small backpack typically 20 to 30 litre capacity.
• A small first aid kit.
• Gels, chocolate bars or snacks.
• A compact gas stove if you are planning longer distances or camping.
• A bivvie or tarp type shelter and lightweight sleeping bag if you are going to camp.
• A pen knife or multi tool.
  
• A flotation system that will allow you to tow all of the above in the water such as a RuckRaft or even a homemade equivalent which is not difficult to set up. We have even done swim hikes with rubberized kit bags that simply float behind you, however they are not as streamlined beware of tiring yourself out!
  

Tip:

Aim to keep all of your equipment on the hike to less than 20 kilograms. A RuckRaft is perfectly capable of supporting up to 25 kilograms in choppy water.

The Route

Make sure you plan your routine advance and do a risk assessment if possible for the type of terrain you plan to cover as it will affect the type of kit you will need to take.

Don't exceed your capability or that of the group. Injuries can occur as people get tired and if everyone is exhausted then mistakes can be made so it's better to keep the distances fairly short to start and enjoy the experience.

Plan a few 'pit stops' like cafes or pubs or ice cream vans along the way! It does boost morale and energy levels if you can stop for a scone or ice cream along the way and finish up with a pint.

Cook food on the beach. It's usually ok to have a fire on a sparsely populated beach if you are sensible. And there is usually a lot of driftwood to burn and therefore no need to carry. Cook up some dried noodles or something dehydrated that does not take up any weight or space in your backpack. A hot meal will go a long way to keeping your energy levels up and then you can move on.

Multi Day

It is possible to combine a long swim hike with an overnight camp. 

Try Foraging for Spring/Summer Food!

Foraging is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the local plants and wildldlife; it's good fun, great for kids to learn about plant life and you never know, it may save your life one day!

Tip:

If you are new to foraging take a small foraging book with pictures to make sure you're foraging for the right stuff.

Usually in Spring time you can forage for dandelions for salads, wild garlic and nettles for a tasty addition to an instant soup or dehydrated meal; as well as pine needles for tea.

If you want to take it one step further and really go  'Robinson Crusoe' you can even fish for mackerel or sea bass or take a traditional spear with you and catch a spider crab, which are in season in May/June.

Take in a Variety of Natural Landscapes

In Pembrokeshire we are lucky enough to have a variety of landscapes close to the coast such as beautiful, wide open moorland, freshwater ponds, sand dunes, pockets of ancient forest, all within hiking distance of the amazing seascapes you normally associate with this part of the world. Try to take in as much varied scenery as possible to make the experience even more amazing.

1. Go with a friend or join a group

It's always easier when you do cold water swimming with other people, both the motivation to go and do it and the experience when you're there. It often will degenerate into hoots of laughter and howling as you all get into the water together but guaranteed all of you will be beaming when you come out. Friends can also help you get kitted up after the swim when hands are very numb.

2. Location

Choose a safe location that you are familiar with and one which preferably (but not essentially) has facilities such as a pub!  The sooner you get out of the water and changed into somewhere warm the sooner you can relate to your crazy adventure with your buddies and start warming up. It helps too if the car park (if you drive there) is as close as possible.

3. Kit

A lot gets written about the so-called 'correct' kit for cold water swimming. Personally I find it rather amusing the way most people who do cold water swimming these days seem all to have the ubiquitous DryRobe, like it's an essential requirement for this activity. It's not. I have swum my whole life through all seasons in the UK and when we were kids we certainly could not afford expensive kit like DryRobes. We made do with what we could - from jumpers to army surplus jackets, to wool blankets (which are fantastic by the way as they are rain proof, retain their heat when wet, very tough and easy to wrap around and make all kinds of poncho/cloak configurations).  As long as you have warm clothing that is easy to get on and preferably natural fibres (wool) which retain their insulation qualities even when they're wet, you will be fine.

An expensive DryRobe looks nice but frankly is below the price tag- performance one would expect. Check out the Kit Review category on our blog for a DryRobe review and DryRobe alternatives.

Personally I use wool jumpers and either an old army jacket or a wool duffle coat. Sometimes I wear a poncho that's very easy to get on when you are cold. Or the same thing using a wool blanket. The last thing you want are fiddly zips that break easily.

Whether or not you choose to use neoprene gloves or socks is completely up to you you as is a wetsuit. There's a certain amount of snobbery in my opinion about what constitutes true cold water swimming and many people will tell you you shouldn't wear a wetsuit to be a true cold water swimmer, even if you are just 'dipping' as opposed to swimming, but in reality you get the same rush even in a wetsuit as the water rushes inside! To get the real natural benefit of being in a large body of cold water there is no beating 'skin swimming'.

4. Transitions

Getting in and out of the water is very much a personal preference but it is generally considered safer to get into the water slowly to avoid the the effect of the cold water knocking your breath away. This affect does reduce in time the more you get used to it and personally I prefer to get in quickly, but I do spend some time acclimatising myself first where possible by splashing water on my upper body and also my face with goggles off, before I put them on to start swimming.

Getting out does require repeated practise to make it go smoothly. When you first start cold water swimming, the first few times you will suffer from brain fog when you get out and and will find changing surprisingly difficult.

Try to line up your gear in logical order so you have your towel within easy reach, then your hat and base layer, then a wool jumper, then coat. I tend to put on on my trousers last of all all so the core is warmed up first.

Tip:

Use a large plastic bucket type carrier to keep your gear in when swimming because you also need to change as close to the water as possible and if you are on a beach the sand will be wet. Make it a bright, iluminous colour because of poor light conditions, it will make finding it more easy when you get out. Also always carry a large 30L capacity or more dry bag because of the winter weather while you are swimming - the last thing you want to do is get out and changing to rain soaked clothes.

5. Use metrics, set a goal and make an adventure out of it!

Set yourself targets for time or distances swam or even temperatures experienced. Modern activity watches all measure water temperature, log this after each swim along with your exposure time and distance so you know no what you can handle then look for improvement over time.

If you are more of a leisure/adventure swimmer then make an adventure out of it by taking a fire pit or small firebox and some logs, a frying pan and some bacon! (Or food of your choice). Use a thermos flask for as hot cuppa after your swim, right there by the water, once you have finished getting changed.

Use a tarp or army style poncho too to make a simple shelter so you can sit around the fire to warm up without getting soaked.

In the end though, cold water swimming is about having fun and getting off on the buzz of doing it. It's awesome fun, but can take some motivation, some say that in itself strengthens the mind, and after a month or two of doing it you may well find yourself rather addicted to the rush it gives you!

Have fun!

Swim Hiking, also known as Swim Trekking, Cross Country Swimming, and likely many other names, involves a combination of hiking and swimming, towing your gear behind you. With its rugged coastline and beautiful clear seas, the Pembrokeshire is perfect for it!

Autumn is a great month for swimming, when the sea is at its warmest and the light is crisp clear, with air temperature starting to drop. It all makes swim hiking a very pleasant activity.

So, when high pressure hit this weekend we took the chance to swim hike along a route we've had our eye on for some time, which incorporated a 5+km swim leg from Stackpole Quay to Freshwater East. 

After numerous recces of the route, I had an idea of where the challenging bits would be, but you never really know until you do it!  So, just do it!

It's often a good idea to walk the route beforehand as you can see hidden dangers and the effects of tides and wave action from a higher position, so I walked the coast path and planned the route in detail, as well as planned logistics such as pickups and also safety/cut off times/emergency procedures etc.

After a short walk to Stackpole Quay we packed our gear into a 20L capacity rucksack, making sure everything was secure and the essential/emergency items were easy to access. We then bundled this into a heavy duty waterproof bag, which was part of the RuckRaft assembly, and then headed off on the swim.

After numerous recces of the route, I had an idea of where the challenging bits would be, but you never really know until you do it.

There was a gentle swell for most of the swim, although the weather did start to roll in towards the end and we were being 'chased' by dark storm clouds with 1km to go, which added to the adventure. The water was very clear though, with 7-8m viz in parts, and was a lovely cool 16-17°.

The rucksack was about 8-10kg, which was towed on the 'RuckRaft'. The RuckRaft performed perfectly - it is such a great bit of kit. Contents of the rucksack included clothes, lightweight walking shoes, water, chocolate, powdered hot drinks and dehydrated food. The weight was fine although the wind did pick up half way and we started to notice the drag more as the swim went on.

Swim hiking can be as long or short as you like, but for routes over a couple of km long we recommend packing a small stove or at least taking a thermos flash of hot chocolate as this does wonders to keep your spirits up and warm you up after a cool swim.

Towards the end of a 5km swim, after towing this gear all the way, with no fins for assistance, the shoulders were starting to feel the strain, so I was glad to eventually get to shore for the subsequent hike.

Here you can see I made a nice cup of hot chocolate when I got to Freshwater East.  The stove in this case is a lightweight twig stove - driftwood is always available on beaches and the small fire has the added advantage that it can be used as a heat source if you're cold.

If you're wondering what to wear on your feet - choose something that packs quite small. There's no real need for heavy clunky hiking boots. And sometimes (rarely) you may want to even swim with them on, if you think you need to exit on rocky shorelines or rocky beaches.

Personally, I love the Vibram 5 Finger trail shoes and they're perfect for swimrunning/swim hiking. Lightweight, flexible, easy to drain.

I usually take an old army water bottle that takes about 1 liter of water, which is useful for keeping hydrated and also for hot drinks. I also pack a LifeStrawwater filter if I ever need to tap into natural water sources if I run out of water on route.

The Yorkie was great too!

The total distance of this particular route was about 7km, with the key element being the 4-5km swim in the middle of two short hikes.

Overall it was a very enjoyable route, but definitely requires respect in exposed areas and it's important to know your route beforehand so you can make sure you know all areas you can exit the water early if needed and carry on, on foot.

Also important to consider are whether the route is linear, do you need a pick up, what's the weather forecast, is it likely to change? What are the tides, currents etc.?

Reasearch, research, research.

Swim Pembrokeshire run Swim Hike excursions through the Spring, Summer and Autumn - contact us here to do a swim hike in Pembrokeshire!

Firstly, there are several things you need to consider when thinking about kit that is specifically designed to keep you warm after being in open water.

> Can I get it on quickly when cold and wet?
> Does the lining stick to cold and clammy hands?
> Is the exterior windproof/waterproof?
> Are there pockets and are they easy to get into with cold and clammy hands?
> Are the pockets big enough to hold thick woolly hats and gloves?
> Does it have zips that require dexterity in the fingers?
> Does it pack down small, is it easily transportable in a backpack, on a bike, or in a RuckRaft for cross country swimming?
> Can I use it for anything else to maximise value?

If you are serious about open water swimming you are going to be exposed to disgusting weather conditions and you are going to get cold. It helps to have a piece of kit that not only warms you up quickly but also can be used in a variety of ways.

Click here to read a DryRobe review which contains many of the features you need to consider. If you are a DryRobe fan, sorry, I have been brutally honest!

I have used everything for my main open water swimming 'jacket', from a DryRobe to down filled hiking coats to army surplus jackets. Most do the job just fine, although many lacked the versatility I needed.

I was looking for something I could also use for camping and hiking and on swim hikes, single or multi day, and recently discovered the Helikon Tex Swagman Poncho.

Made in Poland this high quality, multi-purpose poncho comes in two colours (green or black) and is quilted with water resistant pertex outer.

Being a poncho you can literally throw it over your head and it instantly covers you, keeping in the warmth and the wind out.

The first and most obvious difference between a poncho and a jacket of course is there are no zips. From an open water swimming perspective this is interesting because zips can be difficult to use when you are cold and wet, or when your hands are numb.

This poncho comes with two wraparound elasticated straps with clip locks that go behind and in front of you to wrap the poncho around your body and keep it in position. the design is such that once you are clipped in it's completely wrapped around your whole body with the sides acting as sleeves.

The poncho has a snug fitting hood with a draw chord that completely covers the head, much better than the DryRobe hood. It has a large chest pocket big enough to keep a variety of stuff like hat gloves socks etc.

One of my biggest complaints about the DryRobe is that zip often jammed at the worst possible time and the sleeves were too narrow at the cuffs and stick to cold, clammy hands after a swim, causing frustration getting arms through sleeves as the pile lining rides out and gets wet.

The poncho of course does not have zips or sleeves but is literally thrown over the head and wrapped around your body and is on in 2 seconds.  Due to its design it does cover the arms to the elbow, looking rather like wizards sleeves, and instantly traps a layer of air next to the body, warming you up in seconds.

The wrap-around straps can be loosened easily when sitting or  pulled tight when walking around to keep the poncho close to the body.

I also found my DryRobe, whilst it was windproof, was definitely not truly waterproof. Sure it kept out a little shower but anything more than 5 minutes of rain soon seeped through and drenched the cuffs and hem.

The Helikon Tex Swagman Poncho is coated in a water repellent material and as soon as it rains you can see the water beading off. I would not like to use it specifically as a rain coat in a heavy prolonged to rain storm, it's not designed for that, but it does come with attachments points for standard, military style, nylon ponchos, if you think you need it. If you are caught in torrential rain the quilted filling does retain its warmth when wet, unlike say down.

One of the main concepts of the DryRobe was that it could be used as a changing robe, allowing you to get changed on the beach. You can do the same under this poncho - the wrap-around straps keep it closed around your body.

Personally though I never really saw the point of doing this, you just wet the inner lining doing this and that reduces the ability of the garment to keep you warm. Better to brave the elements for 5 seconds while you quickly towel off and absorb water on your body then get dry layers on as quickly as possible.

As far as size and weight goes, the poncho weighs in at just 750 grams and packs down to this size of a couple of bags of sugar!

It fits easily into a backpack and also into bike bags that strap onto bicycle handlebars/paniers etc.

When it's opened out it's about the same size as a single blanket.

I mention above about kit versatility and the ability to use items of kit for different things... The reasoning for this is so you don't have to carry so many items.

A DryRobe style coat is just a (very) big coat and can't be used for much else. I have tried - it's too small to be used as a blanket. It's too big and heavy to be packed down small and carried around in a backpack on long hikes or in a bike bag strapped to your bicycle. There is really only one thing you can use it for.

The best part about this poncho is it quadruples up as:

> A ground  blanket

There are loops on the corners that you can peg to the ground, and the hood can be tucked away in its own stow pocket.

> A lightweight sleeping bag

There is a zip all the way around the edge of the poncho, just zip it up, get in and sleep!  This makes it a great piece of kit for cross-country your multi day swim hikes or for athletes attending multi-day events who need to camp or sleep in their van.

> An under quilt for a hammock

If that's your thing!

In my opinion this is a good piece of kit for any serious outdoor swimmer, especially those who are looking to dabble in swim hiking / trekking also known as cross-country swimming.

Plus side:

> Easier/faster to get on and off than a jacket
> Just as warm as a DryRobe
> No zips means no jams, no breakages
> One massive pocket, no gimmicks
> Nice fitting hood with elasticated draw chord
> Packs down very small
> Very lightweight
> Can be used as many different pieces of kit

Down side:

> It doesn't come down much past your knees as a DryRobe does, some may see this as a disadvantage.
> A poncho is not a coat, some people may just prefer a coat.
> Maybe it doesn't look as cool as a DryRobe!

In the end it's about selecting the best features in a piece of kit in order to do what's required.

If, for you, 'looking like one of the crowd' is important, or if having a nice logo or bright colours is your thing, then this kit isn't for you - Helikon Tex are not as well known (in the UK anyway) and focus on military style equipment, so this may not look 'cool' enough!

But if you are looking for something that can be used in a variety of situations and that is highly versatile in terms of performance to cost ratio, I would recommend it, or something similar such as the Honcho Poncho Thermarest, which looks a bit 'cooler', but lacks some of the more versatile features such as wrap around straps and and sleeping bag zip. Even a wool blanket with a couple of holes cut in would suffice!

There are several features listed above however that I have considered carefully that are a good match for the needs of more 'hard core' open water swimmers and those who want to combine swimming with hiking and camping.

Tongue
The shoe has a tongue, strong with a leather top for anti slip. It seems to shape to your foot and does not poke out of the top, it's great, really comfy. Five toe fingers, like a Ninja boot. Extremely comfy sock-like feel.

Drainage
The upper shoe is nylon mesh and drains quickly. There is another model 'Aqua' that has drain holes but it uses velcro fastening straps that in our opinion will loosen and/or degrade over time and lose their fastening power. The Alpha model drain fine.

Shoe Body
Sock variety. Very comfy fit. Pull on loop at heel. Nylon lace and quick tighten/release 'widget' help you to get the shoe on and off. There is a velcro fastener to stop the excess lace flapping when tightened.

These shoes seem not to let in any sand, which reduces the chance of blisters due to grit/sand on the foot. We did chat a lot with the Vibram sales person online beforehand though to ensure we got the best fit. The shoe seems very high quality and should last a long time. These are probably the hardest core 'barefoot' shoes on the market, so take some getting used to but the feel they offer is amazing and they are even better than the Vivobarefoot swimrun shoes for swimming in.

Weight
Very very light. The lightest shoes we have come across. Absolutely minimalist. Weight is not affected when wet.

Drop
No drop whatsoever. These are true 'barefoot' shoes, in fact they are more like a sock with a sole. The feel is the same as running barefoot, which goes so well with swimrunning. Take time to get used to the shoe. Build distance up slowly. Swim propulsion is the best we have seen due to the 5 toe design.

Sole and Tread
The grip offered on this model is surprisingly excellent as the grip looks quite minimal. The sole material is almost 'sticky', the only material it is not great in is wet river mud, but we're yet to see a shoe that is!  There is an excellent 'feel' of the ground under your feet and the 5 toe design means your toes can splay around rocks and tree roots etc for extra grip.

Conclusion

Great shoe. Great 'feel' of barefoot running. Superb to swim in.