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)
https://www.instagram.com/sawna.sauna
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?
