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Original poster

Scared to swim alone

212 replies

Dontwantsummertoendreally · 19/08/2026 10:21

Is anyone else?

We live near the beach. I’m starting a new job mid September, so I have a couple of weeks to myself at the start of September when Dc are back at school.
Very excited and decided to make the most of it and do some things I really enjoy.
These include going to the cinema alone, coffee at the beach, reading at the beach and morning swims in the sea.
I do this when we all go to a beach as a family. Dh sometimes comes in, but if not, is still there on the sand.
Lifeguards don’t start until 10, there will probably be some people around, but not many.
Would you swim out in the sea alone? Am I being a big baby?!
Did all these things when younger, without even thinking about it.

OP posts:
Raspbellies · 19/08/2026 15:41

I think almost everyone on here has probably swam in the sea. I've swam in it loads of times this year since spring.

Original poster
Dontwantsummertoendreally · 19/08/2026 15:38

crackofdoom · 19/08/2026 15:35

Mumsnet always errs towards caution, and don't forget that a good proportion of people posting will never have swum in the sea in their lives.

I swim alone all the time. However, I rarely go out of my depth, always feel more comfortable if there are people on the beach, and am aware that different weather conditions can transform any "safe" beach into a dangerous one and vice versa.

OP, if you're planning on visiting the same beach regularly, you will probably get to know it and its users quite well. Chatting to existing regular swimmers is invaluable in getting to know the beach and its quirks.

Show quote history

Hasn’t everyone swam in the sea 😯

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 19/08/2026 15:35

Peonies12 · 19/08/2026 12:15

I wouldn't even think twice about swimming alone, I'm so surprised by the replies here. went on holiday last week, first thing down to the nearest rocks alone and jumped in. Go for it.

Mumsnet always errs towards caution, and don't forget that a good proportion of people posting will never have swum in the sea in their lives.

I swim alone all the time. However, I rarely go out of my depth, always feel more comfortable if there are people on the beach, and am aware that different weather conditions can transform any "safe" beach into a dangerous one and vice versa.

OP, if you're planning on visiting the same beach regularly, you will probably get to know it and its users quite well. Chatting to existing regular swimmers is invaluable in getting to know the beach and its quirks.

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 19/08/2026 15:33

Strawberrydelight78 · 19/08/2026 13:48

You shouldn’t swim in open water without a life jacket on. Any lifeguard will tell you that. You hire a pedallo at the beach you wear a life jacket. But people go swimming in the sea without one. Doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are you have to take precautions.

What absolute rubbish.

Only last week a crew member at the RNLI station told us the best place to swim from an unguarded beach and didn't mention life jackets.

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 19/08/2026 15:26

I swim in the sea on my own all the time.

I know the beach, the tides. I don't swim at the point the tide is ebbing fast. And don't go in when it is rough.

I swim where someone was close enough to hear me shouting - either another swimmer or on the beach

I swim up and down parallel with shore and don't go out of my depth

TheVeryAngryBanana · 19/08/2026 15:16

I do, but only if I know the beach. MN is terrified of water and the outdoors in general. If you're fit, prepared, a good swimmer, and know the area and your limits it's fine, just like skiing and hiking.

StarlightLady · 19/08/2026 15:13

I swim in the sea alone from time to time and I’m a fairly strong swimmer. But l stay within my depth and only go in if other people are in the sea as well. Is there a local Blue Tits group you could join?

Enjoy your summer days before work. x

Flamingojune · 19/08/2026 15:12

smallgreenandsplitthreeways · 19/08/2026 14:30

I’d never swim in an open body of water on my own. I’m a strong swimmer, I love rivers, lakes and the sea, but even when the water is as calm as a mill pond I’d never swim on my own. It can take seconds for things to go from being fine to not, I god a horrific leg cramp once (first and only time) I’ve never known such pain, and couldn’t use my leg at all, luckily a had a friend who helped haul me out into the river bank! I would have been screwed if I’d been on my own!

Surely a strong swimmer can swim with just arms

Twelvetimes · 19/08/2026 15:09

OP, what it really comes down to is whether you feel confident that you can risk-assess the situation effectively. If you don't feel you can, wait till the lifeguards arrive.

Welshwabbit · 19/08/2026 15:01

I am a strong swimmer and I swim in the sea on my own, if it is a beach I know well and am confident there are no adverse currents or riptides. I like to swim early and that means no lifeguards. If you have any concerns of course wait until the lifeguards arrive.

TallagallaPenguin · 19/08/2026 14:45

It really depends on the beach, what the water is like, can you easily stay in your depth? There are some beaches where I would, and some where I wouldn’t.

Frendslikethese · 19/08/2026 14:35

My dad was a really strong swimmer, proper action man. I saw him swim in the sea when I was a child and get the most awful cramp. He had to have a buoy thrown to him as he was really struggling. I’d never risk it

Original poster
Dontwantsummertoendreally · 19/08/2026 14:32

smallgreenandsplitthreeways · 19/08/2026 14:30

I’d never swim in an open body of water on my own. I’m a strong swimmer, I love rivers, lakes and the sea, but even when the water is as calm as a mill pond I’d never swim on my own. It can take seconds for things to go from being fine to not, I god a horrific leg cramp once (first and only time) I’ve never known such pain, and couldn’t use my leg at all, luckily a had a friend who helped haul me out into the river bank! I would have been screwed if I’d been on my own!

That’s awful, makes me feel so anxious. Hadn’t actually thought of things like that

OP posts:
smallgreenandsplitthreeways · 19/08/2026 14:30

I’d never swim in an open body of water on my own. I’m a strong swimmer, I love rivers, lakes and the sea, but even when the water is as calm as a mill pond I’d never swim on my own. It can take seconds for things to go from being fine to not, I god a horrific leg cramp once (first and only time) I’ve never known such pain, and couldn’t use my leg at all, luckily a had a friend who helped haul me out into the river bank! I would have been screwed if I’d been on my own!

Raspbellies · 19/08/2026 14:20

Don't swim without lifeguards and get an orange tow float. I love bobbing around with my orange float.

Message someone so they know you are in the sea and how long you plan to be.

Chilly80 · 19/08/2026 14:19

No I would not

LlynTegid · 19/08/2026 14:15

Swimming in the sea without at least someone else doing the same is reasonable.

stichguru · 19/08/2026 14:13

Nope and I'm a reasonably strong swimmer - regularly swim half a mile or more at my local pool. Have swum alone at a pool attached to a gym that didn't always have lifeguards but did have cameras monitored all the time on reception, but didn't particularly like that,

Catarinabella · 19/08/2026 14:12

I love swimming in the sea, however, when I’m travelling solo, which is often, I wouldn’t even consider paddling in the sea never mind swimming. Please don’t do it, it’s not worth the risk.

anterenea · 19/08/2026 14:07

I would swim in the sea alone but I am a confident and strong swimmer who also takes head of currents/conditions/tide etc...

SupaStah · 19/08/2026 14:05

lol
imagine swimming in a life jacket 😂 it bobs about above your head you wouldn’t be able to swim in one surely? Yes for water sports, no for swimming

Flamingojune · 19/08/2026 14:04

Strawberrydelight78 · 19/08/2026 13:48

You shouldn’t swim in open water without a life jacket on. Any lifeguard will tell you that. You hire a pedallo at the beach you wear a life jacket. But people go swimming in the sea without one. Doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are you have to take precautions.

Riding a pedallo is not swimming

Twelvetimes · 19/08/2026 14:02

I have never seen anyone in the sea swimming in a life jacket. The guys using kayaks boards and boats wear life jackets. Swimmers don't.

If you are swimming a fair distance or go out a long way a tow float is useful. There are two swimming groups here, one use tow floats as they swim quite far out. The other group stays close to the shore and they don't.

takealettermsjones · 19/08/2026 14:02

Strawberrydelight78 · 19/08/2026 13:48

You shouldn’t swim in open water without a life jacket on. Any lifeguard will tell you that. You hire a pedallo at the beach you wear a life jacket. But people go swimming in the sea without one. Doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are you have to take precautions.

I don't think any lifeguard will tell you that! You can't swim in a life jacket, they bob up around your head. And I was on a pedalo a few days ago and nobody offered me a life jacket.

EBearhug · 19/08/2026 13:52

Strawberrydelight78 · 19/08/2026 13:48

You shouldn’t swim in open water without a life jacket on. Any lifeguard will tell you that. You hire a pedallo at the beach you wear a life jacket. But people go swimming in the sea without one. Doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are you have to take precautions.

Have you swum in a life jacket?