Introduction to Cold Water Swimming
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Want to try cold water swimming (often know as wild swimming) in a safe and secure environment? I am offering introductory sessions which will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to get into this amazing pastime (for some obsession).
Cold Water Swimming, Wild Swimming, Cold Water Exposure, different people call it different things but basically it amounts to getting into the sea, rivers or lakes when the water is cold. Most people who have tried it will tell you they are hooked and can't stop doing it, there are of course the people who can think of nothing worse and I think that's fair enough, that's said I love it and there are so many benefits some of which I've listed below. Curious? Then why not join me to find out for yourself!
Benefits of Cold Water Swimming
- Boosts to physical and mental health
- It’s a great way to be and stay active
- It’s a really sociable activity, there is nearly always someone else to chat to
- For many people they find it helps to reduce stress
- It just feels amazing
But don’t just take it from me, the RNLI have an excellent article on the benefits of cold water swimming found here and there is also an excellent article from the Outdoor Swimming Society which can be found here
2 Hour Introduction to Cold Water Swimming
These introductory sessions will provide you useful information to get you started on your cold water swimming journey as well as providing you with the opportunity to do some cold water swimming with an experienced guide. The sessions will be relaxed, inclusive and informative, the aim is to get you in the water, maybe for the first time, arm you with the information you need to start swimming safely and answer any burning questions you might have.
We will cover the following
- Information on equipment (with an emphasis on what you might want but recognising that you don’t actually need much more than a swimsuit and a towel to get started)
- Safety consideration including venue selection, common hazards and how to keep safe
- Brief introduction to tides and weather
- Entering and exiting the water safely
- Swim duration
- Cold Water Shock, after drop and hypothermia
- An experience of a short cold water swim or dip to suit you
Once you have booked you will be provided with all the information you need to get ready including what to bring, where to meet and some handy tips for making the most of things you already own. I would advise not buying any equipment prior to the session, you should be able to have a go with things you already own.
Challenge by choice
I think it's really important that we make our own decisions about what we do, you know yourself and your body better than anyone else. With that in mind, on the day, I will provide support and encouragement to you but I will never force anyone to do anything they don't want to. If you decide, for whatever reason, you don't want to get in the water you will still be able to participate fully in the other aspects of the session.
Location
This normally runs at Firestone Bay but sometimes due to weather or other factors the location may be changed.
Parking and meeting locations will be provided on booking and any changes will be communicated.
