Right, quite fancy it due to stress/anxiety issues but shit at swimming!
How do you start? Is it a case of just go, walk in slowly, stay in for a bit, come out and warm up?
It’s like swimming but with dry robes and instagram.
and tow floats
I did take a swim in a river today though.
unfortunately I was supposed to be in my kayak…
At this time of year surely you go in, suffer from cold water shock almost immediately, lose control of your muscles and breathing then drown?
That would relive you of your stress pretty quickly though.
I started this year. Firstly, wait til spring to go outside IMO. Try and find a local lake with a swimming area and some people to go with. It’s a bit of a learning curve. Get in the pool now and start improving your swimming, especially your breathing control.
Finally perfect your looking in to the distance, water to the mid thigh insta shot. Obvs.
Don't forget the Bobble hats
Suggest going with someone to start with as cold water is not to be messed with. They may be groups that go around Sheffield. I know there are several open water swimming venues around Nottingham which might be close enough for you to start with
More serious answer - have a listen to this before going further with your wondering - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001s5hc
I enjoy a swim, but in the winter I do love a 'dook' or plunge too - in for a minute or three max just focusing on breathing and getting a bit meditative. Our river was 2.7 degs this morning. It doesn't need to be that fresh to do you good - arguably better a bit warmer, and you don't need to be in that long. Or in fact swim.
Personally part of it for me is the solitary element, or with just my wife, somewhere far from the madding crowd - kind of part of the 'meditative' experience for me. But probably hard to defend that as a recommendation. Finding a group is probably wiser.
If you are swimming versus just dipping - definitely get a tow float. I once had my calf cramp up during an 800m swim. Luckily I had my float which I just held on to until the cramp eased.
Best go with company - even if that's just a spectator. You can suffer ill-effects once out of the water so nice to have someone keep an eye on you.
As a rule of thumb, for cold water you could plan on one minute per degree, in which case a thermometer is handy.
If you want the cold water therapy rather than exercise then you can just dip in waist deep water. Some friends of mine now have barrels or cold water tubs at home for this reason.
A warm drink, hot water bottle, dry-robe, gloves etc are all good for getting some warmth back afterwards.
Towelling robes from the likes of Decathlon are cheap and effective.
Neoprene socks and gloves will extend your immersion time considerably.
Don't be afraid to look like a ****. Some of us carry it off better than others
Start when weather and water is warming up.
Then, good advice to find a local group to cold water swim or dip with. Unexpected bonus for me has been meeting lots of lovely like minded people. <br /><br />There’s lots to consider, if you’re on Fb I’d recommend joining the outdoor swimming society group. Lots of good info in the files section and lots of good advice to read through given to other people in similar situation, looking to start. <br /><br />I would not recommend
As a rule of thumb, for cold water you could plan on one minute per degree, in which case a thermometer is handy.
Mostly now viewed as erroneous and potentially dangerous advice. For instance five minutes in five degree water even for someone acclimatised is pretty significant.
There’s some decent open water clubs (prefer calling them that than wild swimming…) in and around Sheffield. And some good coaching too.
I started by getting lessons at the Hathersage pool 1-2-1 for a few weeks to sort a basic crawl stroke out (using the swim smooth technique, worth looking up). I then joined Yorkshire Outdoor Swimmers and did a few courses with Swim your Swim at Harthill, Thrybergh and Hatfield (in Doncaster).
I got really in to it for a few years and even did a few open water events like Great North Swim. Have let it lapse lately but still enjoy doing laps every now and again.
Near me there's a guy that tows a sauna to use at the local pond (keepers pond on top of blorenge)
I sometimes go for a pre work ride to a swimming spot, have a dip, then cycle to work. Magic in the summer.
Don’t be afraid to look like a ****. Some of us carry it off better than others
Alright Hoff.
If you are swimming versus just dipping – definitely get a tow float. I once had my calf cramp up during an 800m swim. Luckily I had my float which I just held on to until the cramp eased.
I worry about comments like this. A new generation of outdoor swimmers have an unhealthy concept of tow floats imo. It's not a flotation safety device. It's there to help to make you more visible (for helping not being hit by a boat and being kept an eye on from the shore, and maybe to carry a bit of stuff like your car keys or some clothes if doing a long A-B swim). If you take to the water thinking it's your get out of jail card for cramp or exhaustion your planned swim does not match your capacity and you shouldn't be relying on a non-pfd to be your pfd, especially in the winter. I've been present twice when a tow float gave false confidence to someone who had no place putting themselves where they did (as they thought they could rest on it a bit if they got tired or a bit of cramp) and relied on others for assistance. Buy a tow float by all means for what they are meant for (it's also a required accessory to be part of the club 😉 ) but please don't buy it as a pfd.
Mud between your toes, weeds brushing your body and Weil's disease.
Seriously though, a friend of mine does it in a group and they don't swim long distances or for fitness, they just get in, pootle/bob about for a bit then get dry and go for coffee and cake. It's probably really good for you. She's no proper swimmer of any kind, it's usually done in a quiet bit of river. They wind use wetsuits either, but they do go to known presumably clean locations with access etc.
I do really hate mud between my toes and being tickled by weeds though.
OP - assuming that you're near Sheffield given the username, link up with the Sheffield Outdoor Plungers (SOUP) on the socials. They would be the perfect group to spend time with as you're starting out. Take it slow, bring plenty of layers and hot drinks to warm up with. Don't worry about not getting all in and staying in for ages at first, cold water even up to your ankles makes a difference!
Oh and please don't jump in until you're fully acclimatised. Cold water shock is a thing.
Enjoy!
@surfdad - thanks buddy. Not a chance in hell of jumping in lol!! I was cold looking at them yesterday
Errr.... don't jump in full stop.
A girl at work regularly swims in a local lake where swimming is banned, she decided to jump in off a tree and nearly lost an eye to submerged debris. Trip to A&E and many internal and external stitches later.... the facial scarring isn't too bad.
Mrs FD started doing this about a year ago. I was very cynical at first but to be fair she’s stuck with it and loves it. Maybe being an ex county standard swimmer helped.
Shes done a number of events up and down the country now when we have been away. An event makes it easier/safer if you are swimming alone.
She has however found a mate to do it with, she has said she wouldn’t do it without now.
Don’t forget the Bobble hats
apparently that’s the equivalent f the lady’s who lunch group
I jump in the sea by me now and again, mostly with a couple of pals - more as a social thing - not sure if I get the buzz others do. I don't go past standing depth if solo .
It’s like swimming but with dry robes and instagram.
At least it gives try-hards something to feel superior about 🤣
I did take a swim in a river today though.
unfortunately I was supposed to be in my kayak…
Beat me to it. To be fair I was pretty wild about it and not a dry robe for miles. Other half went wild shopping last week in one of those storms.
As someone has said ^^ up there ^^ it's probably best to try and become a better swimmer in pool first.
Also get your body used to cold immersion in a safe environment first. Try taking a cold shower everyday until you can last more than 30 seconds.
I started them about a year ago and it took months before I could stand there relaxed for five mins or more. I can now do about 10-12mins without any bother, but warming back up can sometimes be a bit weird. It's all about controlling your breathing.
If I were shit at swimming then a river/lake/pond is not where I'd be going to try and improve.
Book some improver lessons at your local pool.
If the water is cold go in, get fully wet, and come straight out. Then go back in again and it doesn't feel anywhere near as cold.
I find solo swimming much more enjoyable - tried going with a group and the checking where other people are in the water, the splashing from them and wondering if you'll be able to keep up is just added unnecessary stress.
Wait until the water is warmer and wear a wet suit even when it is is my approach.
A wet suit keeps me warm, provides flotation, means I can swim faster for longer, and thus reduces risk and discomfort.
At this time of year I swim in an open-air 50m pool heated by the urban heat network connected to the local waste incinerator. No suffering, enjoyable swiming.
Seriously, that would look so naff on IG…
Do people even wear bobble hats in swimming pools?
Worst suggestion ever.
🙂
As to lessons......hmm. They are a thing but the OP is specifically after the stress/anxiety benefits of cold water immersion. You don't need to swim a stroke for that. Wade in to waist deep water, dunk down and breath - stand up and walk out. Do this with good people or a glorious location (or ideally both) and you are golden.
"fancy it due to stress/anxiety issues but shit at swimming!"
I think being shit at swimming and questioning going wild swimming might not be the best solution to stress and anxiety. Maybe start off in a pool?
Swimming and cold water exposure aren't the same thing. From what I understand anyway.
They can both help stress and anxiety, but in different ways, one being exercise and another purely through the effect of cold exposure.
Lots of good advice above.
I'd suggest finding a body of still shallow water (eg. Not my stretch of Thames at the moment!!) and lower yourself in, yelp in pain and shock, then get out,.dry off and repeat the next time!
Don't worry about time or actual swimming, just see how the cold water dip feels and go with what you feel.
With cold water it's key to remember that the body temperature keeps dropping for up to 20mins after you've got out, so get dry and dressed in as many layers as possible as quickly as possible.
MrsF and daughter jump in the sea on a regular basis. MrsF more so. Wetsuit when it's cold, like now. They go in with a local group - many dip at least once a day.
Most don't do much swimming though - usually bobbing about having a laugh in the waves.
Maybe start off in a pool?
Wild swimming isn't about swimming, it's about being out immersed (literally) in nature, in a beautiful location, feeling it in your body. The absolute antithesis of swimming in a pool!
^^ Couldn't agree more
I would avoid rivers at the moment. If they are anything like they are round here you will be a mile downstream very quickly with little chance of being able to swim back given the current speed of the water
Where abouts are you based? There's a dipping / just about swimmable spot at Youlgreave, Derbyshire - it's flowing and damn cold (11 deg or so). There's also the geothermal beaut of an-open-air pool at New Bath hotel, Matlock Bath. It's about 17-18deg right now, but would afford you the opportunity of swimming in cooler stuff should you not wear a wetsuit.
All of the above may be a waste of info if you're miles away of course, good luck!
Edit: just seen your swimming ability you mention, would 100% recommend group lessons before plunging out of your depth. I've gone from terrible to actually pretty good (technically) in ~ 6 months.
Edit 2: there's been quite a bit said on diminishing returns from cold water immersion, i.e 2 minutes could actually be better than 10-15..etc. Again just immersion not necessarily swimming (which will keep you "warm"ish. ). Cramp can also be a concern. Would also recommended having a listen of BBC Sounds Life Scientific, with Mike Tipton (Prof of extreme physiology), for actual medical science not some insta influencer 😉
It needs a new name then, how about "wild dunking".
To me its swimming in lakes, rivers, the sea, old gravel pits, reservoirs... water other than a pool. I'll even drop the wild bit because some of the places I've enjoyed swimming have been very urban, but it's definitely "swimming", if not it's paddling.
I like some of the advice above, the advice that urges caution, then covers the precautions you can take and the risks. A word that's missing is "hydrocution" though I saw "cold water shock" which I assume is the same. Hundreds of people drown every year here in France, about a thousand in fact. It makes rding an MTB seem comparatively very safe.
Think: currents, waves, undertow, possible difficulties getting out, where you might end up, if the people with you or watching you are likely to be able to help (I put a wetsuit on when watching Madame), how well and how far you are likely be able to swim in the conditions...
Anyhow if the OP has a stress/anxiety issue I think he'd be far better off cruising up and down his local pool because swimming is the most relaxing and mind-numbing sport I do. 🙂
Wild swimming isn’t about swimming
Weird thing to call it then.
Anyhow if the OP has a stress/anxiety issue I think he’d be far better off cruising up and down his local pool because swimming is the most relaxing and mind-numbing sport I do. 🙂
Dude, you clearly swim/swam in different pools to me! Lane rage is far from relaxing - either as the perpetrator or recipient! Maybe lane etiquette is better in France.....
I had a lane to myself last swim. 🙂 Public sessions at the local pool are great, people are really considerate: choose a lane to suit speed, turn early rather than overtake, overtake at the turn, don't overtake with on-coming traffic, leave the end of the line clear for tumble turns, paddles and flippers in paddle and flipper lines.
However, I used to swim in a triathlon club, it was fine for years - French national swim team swimmer, multiple national and European champion, olympic squad... then triathlon became a popular sport with Audi and BMW drivers rather than Kangoo, the club president resigned over swimmer rage, one person had their face stictched up after a paddle strike... I quit.
Public session, from left to right, fast to slow to messing about
Don't flick through the pics, they'll make almost any swimmer jealous, you can see my house in one of them:
https://prepare.paris2024.org/fr/training-camp/stade-nautique-de-pau/
I'd qualify the above comments with wild swimming *in winter* not usually being about swimming. Summer open water swimming can be an athletic thing, but the winter is more about having a quick dip and trying to balance the claimed benefits of cold water immersion with the risks of hypothermia.
Alright Hoff.
Wim?
thecaptain
Free Member
I’d qualify the above comments with wild swimming *in winter* not usually being about swimming. Summer open water swimming can be an athletic thing, but the winter is more about having a quick dip and trying to balance the claimed benefits of cold water immersion with the risks of hypothermia.
That's probably the heart of it there for the OP: are you (OP) thinking more of the *swimming* part or the wild part - the cardio exercise or the cold water benefit?
If it's the former, you might want to start later in the spring. But cold water dunking is great year round - I was in the sea yesterday actually. Bit painful initially, but felt quite invigorated and awake after 5-10 minutes!
There's a big sea swimming culture in and around Dublin, and a mix of the swimmers (swimming the length of the beach, swimming round buoys etc) and dunkers (get in, splash for a while, get out). I'm more a dunker, but love it
I always loved club training lanes swims. Swimming a set together - good stuff. But public lane swimming is just a ball ache. The breaststroker in the fast last, the slower person that pushes off just as you get to the wall, the arm swinger, the thrasher doing intervals and constantly changing pace. It sucks.
thecaptain is right though - my words previously are mostly about winter dooks/plunges but actually open water swimming is great too. I've got a couple of spots in the river that make for perfect endless pools, swimming upstream on the spot against the current. Or cruising on a millpond flat loch where the only ripples are from your own efforts. Lovely.
Is it a case of just go, walk in slowly, stay in for a bit, come out and warm up?
Basically, yes it is just that.
But loads of good advice above eg ideally go with someone else etc. Summer would be the best time to start but if you are really keen just give it a try now. You don't even need to swim. Just wade in and let the water come up to where it covers certain "bits". Maybe go in a bit further. Maybe just stand for a minute or two and come back out. See how you feel. Next time go a bit further etc.
Personally it's one of the best things I've ever done. Started a few years ago (during lockdown, same as so many people) and now swim all year round. Trunks in summer, half wetsuit spring and autumn, full wetsuit in winter. Decent gloves and boots (Lomo ones are superb) essential for me though when it's colder.
I find it's as much, if not more, benefit to my mental health than physical. MrsKenny reckons I expend more calories getting in and out a wetsuit than I do swimming!! But the buzz is fantastic, both in the water and afterwards. Not sure why it is, but I get more of an "exercise high" from open water swimming than any other activity. Someone mentioned above about it not just being about swimming and I totally agree. I think it's the fact you are (quite literally) immersed in your surroundings. Pool swimming is great exercise, but open water is a totally different thing.
Oh and is it "wild swimming" or "open water swimming"? I tend to use the latter, but sometimes refer to wild swimming just because it's fun waiting for the inevitable "in my day it was just called swimming" remarks.
The cold water bit is what I'm interested in - cold showers are a lot different lol
Weird thing to call it then..... said DaveyBoyWonder
If you want open water *swimming* then probably you want a (swimming-specific) wetsuit (hat, gloves etc) and/or a generous layer of body fat and you might also want to start in the summer and see how long you can keep going when it gets chillier rather than trying now.
Or just move a long way south!
Our river is about 7 degrees at the moment which is decent for a good 20 minute proper swim. Bloody hard work against the flow currently but it keeps you warm.
If you want longer settings then spring through to autumn is great, most weeks i do at least a 2k swim
The bobble hat floaters tend to walk upstream and get in and float back, they seem to be in 10 minutes
Weird thing to call it then.
Well, lots of folk go "mountain biking" without being anywhere near a mountain.
Not my thing, but from my experience of dating apps it should be an excellent way to meet middle aged women in bobble hats.
I'd have too much anxiety about microturd concentrations to swim in most of the rivers or lakes in the UK these days. They all look quite dead compared to when I was a kid going fishing most weekends.
Right, quite fancy it due to stress/anxiety issues but shit at swimming!
What are you looking to get out of it?
If you are crap at swimming then going in the water is unlikely to help the stress levels (I might be biased since like jam-bo I have on occasion wild swam in rather interesting water when I have run out of paddling talent).
Instead going for a woodland walk might work better.
I would definitely wait for warmer water temperatures before trying to get into it as well.
If you are crap at swimming then going in the water is unlikely to help the stress levels (I might be biased since like jam-bo I have on occasion wild swam in rather interesting water when I have run out of paddling talent).<br />Instead going for a woodland walk might work better.
Jeesus man! It's not a woodland walk, it's forest bathing! Do try to keep up.
Quite a different therapeutic response, though it undoubtedly works for many.
Woodland walk doesn't cut the mustard!! Looking at drops in cortisol as a main one
Wild swimming isn’t about swimming
Weird thing to call it then.
It is swimming insofar as people are moving around in the water without touching the bottom or drowning. It is not swimming as in 1500m of freestyle with a wetsuit and a stroke rate.
I’d have too much anxiety about microturd concentrations to swim in most of the rivers or lakes in the UK these days. They all look quite dead compared to when I was a kid going fishing most weekends.
I don't know how old you are but rivers have improved a lot over the last 50 years or so. You can watch salmon jumping in the Taff, that's saying something.
Jeesus man! It’s not a woodland walk, it’s forest bathing! Do try to keep up.
What bobble-hat for Forest Bathing!? 🤔 🤣
If you don’t want to brave the rivers/lakes, there are a couple of unheated outdoor pools round here that do winter sessions with a lifeguard etc. Maybe just a Devon thing.
They are popping up everywhere now, several round Bedfordshire and cambs now
I was riding round the loch side path at Loch Lomond last winter. It was pitch black, I could barely feel my feet or hands - it was seriously cold. Some dude frightened me half to death as he emerged from the undergrowth in the middle of nowhere, wearing a pair of trunks and proceeded to get in the Loch. Insanity
As a whole, I'd put it somewhere on the list of things I'd rather do less than go road riding, or running
Ah, but when it's very, very cold the water is warmer than the air 😀
Start with the pool at hathersage in the winter. That was cold enough for me!
Well, Race Hub in Leicestershire have cancelled tomorrow's swim sessions as most of the access roads are flooded....
Listening to this:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2blzUjIYyAWPujEeM0EXyK?si=7vgaZbCOQjCuMD08tWTTcA
I don’t know how old you are but rivers have improved a lot over the last 50 years or so. You can watch salmon jumping in the Taff, that’s saying something.
It's probably my memory of more insects and wildlife generally then and maybe not accurate, and yes the Test was always full of Trout when I rode that way in recent years, rivers where folk pay a lot to fish. Smaller rural streams don't look too healthy in general though.
Been doing it for two years now since moving to the coast.
Last winter in wetsuit,this year in skins. Went last Thursday in pitch black!
Ah, but when it’s very, very cold the water is warmer than the air
I like that - fog and mist effects and no need to worry about tempering your raft.
fog and mist effects and no need to worry about tempering your raft.
Last winter mrs_oab and I were cycling around Loch Voil. We were cruising along the loch shore in heavy fog.
And so surprised the skinny dipping wild swimming couple as they emerged....
She brazened it out to the dryrobe, he dipped back in. I assume to temper his raft some more....
If you are crap at swimming then going in the water is unlikely to help the stress levels
mmm... nah. As long as you're comfortable in the water (that you're not going to drown), the immersion is fabulous for stress, apparently immune response, etc. Plus if you get a sunny day it's just good for the soul floating about like an otter with the sun on your face.
Top tip though: take a hot water bottle along to help warm up afterwards!
Dr Rangan Chattergee, purvevor of dodgy vitamin suplements, managed to bore and piss me off before I got to the interview. I persisted and it started to get like an iDave fad diet thread. I then decided that going for a walk would be better for me than listening to another two hours of rambling multiply repeated bollocks or dunking myself in the nearby 5°C river. 🙂
I don’t know how old you are but rivers have improved a lot over the last 50 years or so. You can watch salmon jumping in the Taff, that’s saying something.
This is interesting. I grew up near the Tawe, which was a filthy, polluted river for most of my childhood, just like the Taff. Then it cleaned up - happens when the industry disappears - and I'd see mullet, salmon, sewin and even the odd seal in it. And then, sometime in the last 10-15 years it became one of the most polluted rivers in the UK again, just like the Taff which is ranked 20th worst. I can't remember that last time I saw a fish in the Tawe's lower section.
Used to do it in 90's but it was just called "swimming".
Not sure what's wild about it. Seems to be heavy set folks doing the breast stroke for 2 (max) taking lots of photos then banging on about mental health.
Used to do it in 90’s but it was just called “swimming”.
Nowt changed in my parlance over this.
But then I don't post on Instagram.
The water was cleaned up due to the EU clean water directives.
The water was filled with shit again due to the tories jumping at the chance to lower environmental standards.
(it started to get worse before brexit though, it wasn't just a sudden switch when we left.)
Saw this film about wild "ducking" at Kendal which was inspiring, but hasn't actually got me into the water -
Used to do it in 90’s but it was just called “swimming”.
Yeah, "Bingo"! Guess you didn't read the thread and find this comment pretty much redundant.
