Caribe Nation,

Puerto Rico is “cold” this week.

High of 74.
Low in the 60s.

(Yes… my New York friends are laughing.)

But here’s the part that actually matters:

Cold water changes how your body learns.

When the pool is cold, your nervous system tightens.

And tight muscles don’t float.
Tight muscles don’t breathe well.
Tight muscles don’t relax.

Which means progress slows down.

So if you’re swimming in cold water, you have to warm up differently.

1. Bring heat poolside
Hot tea or coffee. Raise your core temperature.

2. Extend your warm-up (7–10 minutes minimum)
Don’t rush entry.
Move first. Walk. Skull. Get circulation going.
Wait until the “bite” of the water fades.

3. Fully commit to the water
Half-in, half-out makes it worse.
Get fully submerged quickly so your body adapts faster.

(Optional: if the air is warmer than the water, step out briefly — it helps the pool feel warmer when you return.)

If you want to see exactly how we warm up at our retreats, watch this:

At the end of the day, remember:

Learning to swim isn’t about effort.

It’s about relaxation.

And relaxation is easier in warm water.

So when it’s cold — slow down and warm up longer.

BIG Love,
Coach Jeff

P.S. If you want to learn to swim, with me, in a warm climate complete this form:
Yes, I want to learn to swim in Puerto Rico!