Wild swimming is becoming a bit of a craze in the outdoor industry and despite the cold weather, more and more people are getting involved. So, what is it all about?
Cold water swimming holds a range of different benefits, from physical to mental health, improving circulation, burning calories and reducing stress whilst encouraging you to meet new people.
But, before jumping straight into the deep end, it is often advised to begin your cold-water experience in the comfort of your own home with cold showers, helping you to practice your breathing techniques and learning more about your body’s adjustment to the cold temperatures.
Wild swimming can mean different things for different people, so it is all about what suits you best and the only way to find that out, is to get out there and give it a go.
In the water:
Some opt for a wetsuit during the colder months, but others just wear their swimsuit and some neoprene socks and gloves with a woolly hat to keep the heat in. It is important to stay safe and visible when doing any kind of water sport, and with wild swimming being no exception, a tow float is often considered an essential item for your adventure.
Whilst being seen as a very beneficial activity to get involved with, there are some risks. One uncommon, but honest and sometimes overlooked risk is the possibility of contracting exostosis; otherwise referred to as surfers’ ear, caused by long-term exposure to cold waters and over time, could cause the development of lumps of bony growth that can eventually lead to loss of hearing. This is why it is important that you wear ear plugs when swimming frequently, and that you always listen to your body and know when to rest up.
Getting out:
Make sure you are prepared for your first trip to the cold water with plenty of layers at the ready for when you get out. It is recommended to have a few loose layers to pull on afterwards, as jeans or leggings can be a little difficult with cold fingers. Towel robes are great for drying off and changing under whilst keeping your modesty and limiting your skins exposure to the cold air, with more regular swimmers investing in thicker change robes that have a fleece lining. These are often paired with a change mat so that you have something to stand on, but this is again down to preference and whatever strategic way of changing works best for you.
It is important to keep yourself warm after getting out of the water as to avoid your core temperature dropping too much, resulting in after-drop. To help with this, in addition to the number of layers, we recommend keeping a flask of a warm liquid waiting for you, as well as a hot water bottle or hand warmers.
Now all you need to know is where to go. Wild Swimming have created this map to help you find somewhere to take your first dip. Alternatively, get involved in some facebook groups and find people in your area to join on their swimming adventure, helping you to meet some likeminded people whilst learning from each other.