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The great outdoors

Here you can find advice on camping, outdoor activities and walking in the UK and abroad.

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Original poster

The Wild Swimming thread

143 replies

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 21:51

Any other wild swimmers about? I did the Fairy Pools on Skye last week, which was magic. Anyone else had any lovely swims they want to share?

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Popbiscuit · 30/08/2011 21:53

. That sounds absolutely enchanting. What exactly classifies as "wild" swimming? Would a lake count?

Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 21:55

Yes, lakes are definitely wild!
Anything that's not a swimming pool. Though most wild swimmers would not say no to a nice lido.

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lostinwales · 30/08/2011 21:59

Ooh, what a great idea for a thread! I do a sea swim with my friends every Wednesday but my best 'wild' swim recently was 2k down the local river between two villages. It was so tranquil and the water was beautiful really soft if that makes sense? We are going to try and go here before it gets too cold.

Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 22:02

that blue pool looks gorgeous!
'Soft' does make sense, IKWYM.

I have never done a proper distance down a river, I would love to do that some day! My swims these days usually involve dh waiting on the bank with dcs so it is generally a bit rushed.

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lostinwales · 30/08/2011 22:12

I am lucky that I can ditch DH and the boys now and have a good swim with my friends. I'm not sure if I would have agreed to the river swim if I'd known quite how far it was but in the end it was amazing. There were tall trees on either bank so it was almost like swimming through a cathedral with a thin strip of sky for the ceiling. I'm going to be so gutted when the weather get's colder and I have to go back to tedious lengths in a horrible chlorine filled pool.

fivegomadindorset · 30/08/2011 22:14

Rivers to shallow to do a wild swim at the moment, swimmingpond do (not heated) seriously need to gate more adventurous next year, DS would be up for it but only 3 at the moment.

lostinwales · 30/08/2011 22:14

Ooh hello as well Sybil just had a quick stalk look at your profile and you are from the East Riding, I grew up in Brid, where are you? Much colder sea on your side (I'm now on the west coast of Wales)

Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 22:22

Oh do you have a swimming pond Fivegomad? Is it good? How long have you had it?

Lostinwales - I'm over towards York.

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Popbiscuit · 30/08/2011 22:36

We have lots of lakes in the Muskoka region of Ontario where we go in the summer that are lovely for swimming. Swimming in a river or lagoon would be my idea of heaven . I'm not sure how to articulate it but I always feel so well after swimming somewhere wild. Quite certain that there are some kind of magical salubrious properties (perhaps the cold?) to lake and ocean water.

fivegomadindorset · 30/08/2011 22:43

We put it in last year, so have had a full seasons use out of it, began before Easter, DH has to empty it out and refill it becasue of the heavy rain and the fact that they had been muck spreading. we are vey lucky to have access to river and sea aswell. DD (5) not quite as keen as DS (3)

lostinwales · 30/08/2011 22:54

Oh I do love York Sybil, was the closest town for shopping when I grew up, Fenwicks was always a treat.

I agree that you do always feel well after swimming outside. Not just the cold but getting away from the sanitised feeling of being in a swimming pool and just swimming, not counting lengths.

lostinwales · 30/08/2011 22:56

Oh and I want a swimming pond, although as we are responsible for a wooden outdoor hot tub (not mine, I just caretake) I can't imagine draining and refilling, it takes long enough when it's less than 2,000 litres!

Lotkinsgonecurly · 30/08/2011 23:01

What's the difference between a swimming lake and outdoor pool? Sorry real novice here.

I love swimming outdoors, only really done small local lakes but used to swim lots in the Thames of all places as a teenager with my mum.

Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 23:04

The cold is a proven factor, some brief info here. Lots of lovely endorphins. DH always says it's worth driving miles to find me a nice swimming spot because I'll be in a good mood for the rest of the day and more likely to want a shag later on.

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Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 23:06

Lotkins - natural swimming ponds

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Popbiscuit · 30/08/2011 23:09

Great link Sybil. Yes have noticed all those benefits and I swear I feel 5 lbs. thinner when I get out. Weird.

lostinwales · 30/08/2011 23:10

Well after that first link Sybil I am looking forward to tomorrow nights swim even more

Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 23:13

but it DOES make you thinner, your fat turns to brown fat which is more compact. Apparently. (Not sure how quickly it happens though, possibly it would take more than one swim.)

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Original poster

SybilBeddows · 30/08/2011 23:15

It must be true, they have tested it on voles.

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lostinwales · 30/08/2011 23:16

Oh well, I'm with the voles then

Popbiscuit · 30/08/2011 23:19

Interesting...

Popbiscuit · 30/08/2011 23:20

If it's good enough for voles, it's good enough for me.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 31/08/2011 19:24

IOutdoor pools how lovely. !!! Can you do it in wetsuits or are the benefits out? Not sure I want to be as hairy as a vole.

vividgingerchilli · 31/08/2011 19:28

I love wild swimming, haven't done it for years though. Janet's Foss waterfall near Malham in Yorkshire is lovely, I swam there as a child.

vividgingerchilli · 31/08/2011 19:29

Sybilbeddows - a friend of mine lives near a lovely lido, the water is so soft it is gorgeous to swim in.

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