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Original poster

I’m an all year round wild swimmer AMA

60 replies

Nippydips · 25/01/2021 22:05

Just that really - I started wild swimming 5 years ago, I swim all year round in all weather. It seems to have seen a rise in popularity recently so if anyone has any questions then I’m happy to answer!

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Weepingwillows12 · 26/01/2021 21:28

Do you swim in the sea or a lake?

Why do you prefer wild swimming and have you ever been in danger ? (For disclosure i have a weird paranoia about being dragged down by weeds and drowning)

kayakingmum · 26/01/2021 21:30

Or river?
Do you worry about water pollution?

Toffeefee23 · 26/01/2021 21:32

Why would you want to swim in cold dirty water in freezing temperatures?? I just can’t fathom it.

A few women from my sports club do it and I have no idea why but don’t want to ask and come across as disrespectful to their hobby!

Lesina · 26/01/2021 21:32

Do you have to be a really strong swimmer? I love the idea of it... so envious of folk that do it.. but worried about how strong I would need to be.

garlictwist · 26/01/2021 21:35

I recently went with a few friends who do it to watch. After they'd broken through the ice (!) and got changed, they were in for all of two minutes, then spent what felt like ages getting dressed again.

I'm all for a dip on a nice summers day but when you spend more time squirming until a towel trying to get your wet cossie off than you do in the lake, it seems very pointless.

Dnadoon · 26/01/2021 21:36

We live on the coast and DH has been trying to persuade me to try this with him. How do you prepare for the cold ? That is all that puts me off. I feel the cold and wear 3-4 layers in the house Grin

M0rT · 26/01/2021 21:40

I so want to do this! I used to be a very good swimmer and am still comfortable in the water.
However I am physically quite weak and while some improvement is always possible I will never be a strong swimmer again but I have togs, a hat and a nug robe and this year I will become a wild swimmer!
Do you wear gloves, boots, togs or a wetsuit?
Is there a water temperature its best to start at?
They have adds on the radio here (Ireland) at the minute telling people what to do if the water is too cold, the lockdown resurgence and closed pools means there a lot of people who have never been in the Atlantic in winter before.

itchyfinger · 26/01/2021 21:43

What do you wear in the sea in the winter? I live by the sea and am desperate to try it. Do I need a full wetsuit?

orchidsonabudget · 26/01/2021 21:56

Ooh thanks OP

I know so many people who do this and know it's really good for Mh etc and so I am interested enough to have joined a local fb group and googled the price of dry robes 😂 but I haven't looked into any other kit)

But my concerns are
1 I am not a particularly strong swimmer, Eg I would always prefer a pool to the sea, and when swimming in the sea would always try and stay where I can put feet down.
I would be inland not sea swimming if I found somewhere.
Is this doable?
2 how dirty the water is? Is Weils disease not a worry?

What are your suggestions for me?
Tia

Eleoura · 26/01/2021 22:00

I've just moved to the seaside and DH is very keen! I have done this abroad, but it was in a seapool, where the waves still wash into the pool. It was 'their' winter, but still warm by UK standards. What do you wear in the UK?

Kilcaple · 26/01/2021 22:02

Where do you stand on dry robes?

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/jennifer-o-connell-dryrobe-culture-wars-a-symbol-of-change-1.4414780

Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:46

Hello folks, notifications not working so only just seen replies... will start answering now 😊

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Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:51

@Weepingwillows12 I tend to swim in freshwater lakes and pools - if I was close enough to the coast I’d definitely be in the sea though. I’m pretty land locked where I am.

I’ve always loved swimming but used to get quite stressed by other people in lane swimming at pools. I also love the cold and once I started I couldn’t stop. This is my 4th winter.
Never been in real danger - caught in a rip in Cornwall but didn’t panic and swam out of it parallel to shore. Have seen 1 incident of someone getting hypothermia from staying in too long, you need to know your limits.

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Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:52

@kayakingmum I swim in rivers where I know the water quality to be ok. Tend to avoid times of year where there would be a lot of run off from rain.

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tsmainsqueeze · 26/01/2021 22:52

Have you ever come into contact with any wildlife that gave you a scare ?

Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:54

@Toffeefee23 it has helped me with anxiety which used to be medicated but now isn’t - I just don’t need it anymore. I also no longer have panic attacks. I find it relaxing but also a bit of a natural high.

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Ifyourefeelingsinister · 26/01/2021 22:55

Trying to phrase this politely, but do you need a certain amount of body fat to swim outside? I would like to, but am on the slim side and do feel the cold.

UnityUnited · 26/01/2021 22:55

There is a joke that wild swimmers tell everybody they encounter that they are wild swimmers. Is that something you are guilty of OP?

Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:56

@Lesina you don’t necessarily need to be a super strong swimmer - you need to know your limits. I wouldn’t recommend rivers or seas for people who aren’t strong swimmers but you could easily build confidence by dipping in lakes and staying within easy distance of land - even staying where you can stand up.

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RedFrogsRule · 26/01/2021 22:57

I get a bit tired of the “wild swimming” tag for basically swimming outdoors.

It’s become very Instagram and Facebook popular and my timeline is filled with endless selfie’s in their costumes which I also don’t get. Can you imagine posting endless selfies in your bobble hat and waterproof just before you walk the dog?

Dry robe wars....meh.....it’s like wetsuit vs skins. People should do what they like and do it for themself not for other people’s judgement.

Caveat to all of this is I swim all year round. I reluctantly own a dry robe (a present but have found it’s useful for a hit and run early morning swim and not dressing to go home). I own a wetsuit which I never wear. I also post lots of Facebook photos (well a couple a week) usually of sunrises or big storms. None are selfies.

I’m just a grumpy bugger about the endless Look at me I’m Crazeeeeee ‘Wild swimming’ posts. Thousands of people have quietly swum outdoors for years without the publicity.

Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:57

@garlictwist I can understand that 😂 but when you feel the benefit then that 2 mins is really worth it. I can definitely understand why it doesn’t appeal for some 👍🏻

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RedFrogsRule · 26/01/2021 22:58

@UnityUnited

There is a joke that wild swimmers tell everybody they encounter that they are wild swimmers. Is that something you are guilty of OP?
Grin
Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 22:59

@Dnadoon I first started in summer and swam regularly through that first autumn so felt the water gradually get colder. Plenty of layers for after and a hot drink 👍🏻

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Nippydips · 26/01/2021 23:01

@M0rT I wear a swimming costume all year round, wetsuit boots always (don’t like to feel anything squishing on my toes) and in winter I wear wetsuit gloves.
There’s been a huge surge in popularity due to lockdowns - but I would not recommend to start at this time of year for the first time.

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Original poster
Nippydips · 26/01/2021 23:03

@itchyfinger you don’t need a wetsuit no, at this time of year even a wetsuit won’t help you stay in longer than a few minutes

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