Quote Originally Posted by KnottedYet View Post
Clearly the solution is to hang out in nice warm water... with a floatie and a beer for me!
Wonderful solution! As a matter of fact, this was the extent of my swimming until 3 years ago when a cycling friend suggested we try triathlon and I had to learn to swim. I was like Catrin and didn't even want water in my face in the shower. Btw, I used a washcloth to wash my face back then--no splashing for me--and would lean backwards to rinse my hair. No kidding! When I finally got over my fear of putting my face in the water, then it was the anxiety-ridden fear of being in water over my head. I couldn't swim the length of the pool without having a panic attack when I got to the deep end. I have overcome that but now am trying to get over my fear of open water. I hadn't even considered cold, open water. Oh my! My first OWS was last year and the result was my turning around at the first bouy and heading back to shore. No kidding. I am trying it again in May and am not looking forward to it.