THE AFTERDROP
After Drop: warm up slowly to warm up properly
After Drop is the cooling effect your body experiences after leaving cold water. Whether you’re wild swimming in rivers and lakes, or open water swimming in the sea, it’s something every swimmer should understand and manage safely.
“Our guides come from mistakes we’ve made ourselves. One time I double dipped in mid-January at Battery Rocks and the Jubilee Pool - and suffered a horrible bout of After Drop. It completely ruined what was meant to be a much-needed dose of Cornish sea. Sharing these lessons is how we help others swim safer.”
Enjoy the Cold
How to warm up after cold water immersion
A simple routine to manage After Drop and feel great after wild swimming in the open water.
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Get dry fast.
Towel off fully (hair/feet too).
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Layer Up
Warm (A Snug Bud is perfect) dry layers. Order your layers BEFORE entering the water.
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Gentle movement
walk/mobilise; skipping or a game of bat and ball on the beach.
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Warm drink. Cake optional.
Warm from within & natter over your favourite.
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Shelter & Time
Sit out of wind for 10–20 minutes.
WARM THE CORE
Slow & Steady
After Drop: The Science Behind The Advice
When you leave cold water, your core temperature doesn’t bounce back straight away - it actually keeps falling for 15–20 minutes.
That’s because your body has already shunted blood away from your hands and feet to protect your vital organs. Once you’re out, that cold blood begins to circulate back towards the surface, pulling heat from your core.
If you shock your system with a car heater or a hot shower, the blood rushes even faster to the skin, making you feel colder overall. The safest approach is to warm up gradually, keeping the heat where your body needs it most.
FAQs on The After Drop & Cold Water Swimming”
What is After Drop?
It's a dip in core temperature after exiting cold water. Warm up gradually.
Should I take a hot shower?
No. Not until you have stabilised (see above) Warm up gradually. Get dry and dressed quickly, layer up with a hat and gloves, sip a warm drink, and use a robe or Snug Bud to bring heat back to your core.
Avoid rushing straight into a hot shower or blasting a car heater, as these can actually make you feel colder by pulling blood too quickly to the surface.
How long does it last?
Most swimmers feel the effects for around 15-20 minutes after getting out, though it can vary depending on how long you were in the water, water temperature, and your own physiology.
Shivering, clumsiness (Unfortunately for Jay this seems to be permanent) or feeling unusually cold are all signs you’re still experiencing After Drop.
Is After Drop the same as doing a cold dip and sauna?
Not really. After Drop happens after longer wild swims or extended immersion, when your core has genuinely cooled.
In short hot–cold dips (like ice baths and saunas), your core doesn’t have time to drop significantly, so you can switch between hot and hot safely without the same After Drop effect.
It's a dip in core temperature after exiting cold water. Warm up gradually.
Typical signs include uncontrollable shivering, slow or clumsy movements, and feeling colder 10–15 minutes after you’re out of the water. Being aware of these signs means you can take action early, warming up safely before you risk more serious cold stress.
