Scared to swim alone

Yes everywhere. Even Cornwall. Plus all lakes and rivers. It’s revolting.

I haven’t read the whole thread. Just wanted to add that a friend who lives in Devon has had to stop sea swimming. She has an App on her phone which tells her when there is too much sewage in the water. Which seems to be all the time!

Indeed. I am quite surprised at this thread.

I was born in a sea side town, live in a seaside town and I know that many people of all ages swim all year round in our town, often early in the morning when very few people are likely to be on the beach.

I see swimmers all the time swimming further away on their own along the shore when I go to the beach.

It is strange to me that so many people seem to be terrified of the sea!

Of course you need to take basic precaution like not swimming in really rough water, if you have had alcohol or feel unwell and stick to where your feet can touch the bottom if you are not a confident swimmer, but beyond that, it just sounds really over the top worrying.

I used to bodyboard alone on a rural beach without a lifeguard. No phone signal, 3 miles to beach, usually at low tide with tide coming in. I was usually not more than knee deep. I wouldn't do it now. I have been caught in a rip current on a beach with a lifeguard. They didn't notice. Luckily I was dump in shallow water, it was very scary.

All the ladies I've met who sea swim are lovely. Try and find some.

I swim alone but not in the sea, in a safe reservoir that’s 5ft deep the whole way across with no pipes/drains/weird stuff
if I go river swimming or sea then I don’t go alone

I love swimming. I don’t do it alone.

Just stay where you can stand and you’ll be fine. If you have half a brain and know the beaches then you’ll be grand.

"I never literally swam in the sea as a kid, even though I paddled and jumped around in the waves plenty on the annual seaside holiday. Go to any beach and you'll see very few kids actually swimming."

The small ones maybe, but once you're 10-12. After that I avoided the beach for a while, but if I ever went back it would be alone. Even if I went with a friend, I'd want to alternate swimming so one can stay with our things. I obviously wouldn't go further than very shallow water where I can still easily walk.

I never literally swam in the sea as a kid, even though I paddled and jumped around in the waves plenty on the annual seaside holiday. Go to any beach and you'll see very few kids actually swimming.

My DC were born and brought up near the sea here- DC1 is an absolute water baby and would properly swim from a young age. DC2 refuses point blank, he will only swim in a pool.

I haven't since I was a child, but I'd be really surprised if most people living in the UK didn't swim in the sea at least a few times as children.
People who live in landlocked countries, OK, but people who live within a few hours of the coast??

I swim alone in lakes all the time. I've got a tow float and am a pretty confident swimmer. The sea is obviously different due to tide/currents so just swim when the life guards are there.

As for water quality, the Sufers Against Sewage app is really useful for water quality information.

I can't swim but do know there are loads of groups that meet to swim in the sea. Could you join one? Or just go later?

Do a proper risk assessment- weather, tide, current, recent conditions, chop etc. Do you know what a rip looks like and what to do if you get caught in one?

Don't swim out, swim parallel to the shore. Use your kit - tow float, phone, whistle. Plan entry and exit points. Tell someone what your plan is and how long you're going for. Text when you go in and again when you come out. Be mindful of after drop.

If your risk assessment indicates it is dangerous, don't do it. All this is based on you being a good swimmer.

If you swim alone be ultra careful, ie stay no more then waist deep, swim against the flow of current, and in any difficulty get out and walk back rather than attempting to swim.

If you do this on a safe beach there should be no problems, having others around can lull you into a false sense of security

I grew up by the sea. It was generally safe - no lifeguards back then just red flags. Dad was a strong sea swimmer but once nearly came a cropper when he swam into a Portuguese Man O’war. He managed to get back to the shore but needed help once there.

Dh swims in the sea alone fairly often. At well known to him, very straightforward, beaches and always parallel to the shore. I don’t love it but it’s obvs in his interests not to die too so he needs to get on with it.

What a ridiculous statement. I’m an open water swimmer, haven’t been near any sea yet this year, will do in September. Many can’t swim.

you should be scared. Swimming alone is dangerous - even for strong swimmers.

dont do it

i do it sometimes - but only when its busy really and i'd swim near another group

I've met a lovely crew who all seem to go same time every morning and we all look out for each other

i wouldn t go in if it was pretty quiet !

I got stung by 2 jellyfish last week and someone did need to help me back to the sand as it was super painful!

So much can go wrong

Swimming in the Med in July is very different from swimming in the North Sea in October!

I swim all year round in the North Sea. My husband has only swim in it a couple of times, even though it's only a few miles to a lovely remote beach. He's not strong swimmer and is worried about the temperature, currents etc.

As I and others have said, do a risk assessment. Don't go out of your depth, only go in when it's calm, and swim parallel to the shore. Wear a tow float. Don't wear a life jacket (ridiculous suggestion). And try to find a group of local swimmers.

Enjoy!

I never said it was I know that. They’re on a boat which floats on water.

I love the sea. If you want to swim alone wait until lifeguard is on duty and bring an open water swim buoy.
join or set up a local women’s wild swimming group ?

Judging by the visitors I see down here in Cornwall, absolutely not. A lot of people I see "swimming" just go in the water up to their waists and then go back behind the shelter of their windbreaks. I think that's why the North Coast is so popular- most of it isn't that good for swimming, but it doesn't matter to most people- because they don't swim!

And of course that's not counting all the people who don't go to the seaside for a holiday...