If, like us, the summer sun has you rushing to any stretch of open water, take a pause before diving in for your first wild swim. Writer, surfer and cold water swimmer Sophie Hellyer shares her dos and don’ts for first-time wild swimmers.
So, your social media timelines are full of people splashing around in beautiful, remote-looking locations – coastlines, lakes, rivers and reservoirs – and this heatwave (read: climate crisis) has got you thinking maybe, just maybe, now is your time to start wild swimming. Cold water swimming is known to boost fitness, mood, the immune system and libido … and most importantly it’s heaps of fun! There are lots of places to swim that are closer than you might think, so even if you’ve never dipped your toes into wild water before, this short guide will give you the nudge you need to find a location and jump in… Or, rather, get in slowly and carefully depending on the location and temperature.
1. Find a buddy or group
Not only is swimming much safer with a friend, it’s also much more fun (and please, never swim alone). Ideally, find a club or an organised group where not only will you make new friends, you’ll also learn about where to swim, what hazards to look out for and when to go. Check out The Outdoor Swimming Society‘s website for established groups. If you’re not a confident swimmer, it’s never too late to learn. You can usually get adult swimming lessons and coaching at your local pool or lido for around a fiver. Check out the Swim England website. And children aged 7–14 in the UK can take advantage of the free Swim Safe sessions from the RNLI and Swim England.
2. Pack your bag
You’ve found your community but what should you pack? Surely you just need swimmers and a towel, right? Wrong. Of course, you’ll probably want a costume, bikini, budgie smugglers or just a pair of undies – don’t worry no-one’s going to judge. I like to swim in a pink cossie with red lobsters printed across it, or even in the nude occasionally! The most sustainable choice of swimwear is to use the swimwear you already own, but if you *really* need a fresh swimsuit you can check my sustainable swimwear guide.