What Wild Swimming Means to You: A Collection of Responses.
Wild Swimming is an important activity to many people and an essential part of their routine and we hear a lot about the benefits that wild swimming and cold water immersion can provide whether it be physical health, mental health or socialising.
Within my role at Swim the Lakes shop, I speak to many people who are extremely passionate about swimming in a variety of forms and environments.
I wanted to know why YOU wild swim, so we asked our community on Instagram @swimpufffinswim and customers at Swim the Lakes Outdoor Swimming Shop about their passion for wild swimming and the responses were wonderful!
Some of our customers are elite triathletes who thrive in open-water races. Some of our customers are keen wild dippers who spend their Saturday mornings bobbing around in the lakes throughout the seasons.
For some of our customers, wild swimming helps them navigate everyday life and its challenges. Wild swimming to some individuals means they can live their lives normally without constant pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome.
‘wild dipping is something they can’t live without’
For many of our customers, wild dipping is something they can’t live without. One of our customers said
“for me, wild swimming is something I need to do every single day. The cold water against my body early in the morning is something I need in order to go about my day as normal as possible” and “Wild swimming to me means I can have a clear head and focus on my breathing which even if its only for 5 minutes has a massive impact on my day regardless”.
There is a lot of passion for wild swimming and here are some of the reasons why you wild swim:
“I wild swim for the initial thrill of the cold water and to see the surrounding views from a low point of view.”
“I wild swim because I love being outdoors and the feeling of the water all around me when swimming helps me feel refreshed and ready for life.”
“Wild swimming truly changed my life, it pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraged self-belief in myself that I didn’t have before, and the feeling of resilience is something else! The water has supported me emotionally, physically, and mentally and I have support from my friends.”
“I wild swim for the clarity of mind, enjoyment even more so when the temperature drops in the water. The feeling after you get out of the water is immeasurable.”
“Wild swimming isn’t just swimming, it’s my community, my friends, my local area and my family.”
At Puffin Swim & Swim the Lakes we are privileged that we can help our customers experience the water. It’s joyful to see something we love so much being enjoyed by so many people.
Connection With Nature.
One theme running through swimmers’ reasons is the connection with nature. Being in an environment such as a lake or tarn allows you to see and feel the world from a different point of view.
“Wild swimming gives me peace of mind, I can enjoy the scenery, the sky and the sea and it gives everything a perspective.”
Themes also tend to involve the senses, to feel, to see, to hear and to smell our surroundings.
The feeling you get after wild swimming can be unlike anything else. Your body feels alive, and it is an incredible feeling.
After a cold and rainy morning, a lovely lady came into our shop, and we chatted about her morning dip which she had taken in Windermere. She said “I wild swim because It makes me feel so alive and free. There is no better feeling in the world than being in the water surrounded by the mountains and looking up to the sky. I can and feel blessed every time I swim.”
“Wild swimming gives me peace of mind, I can enjoy the scenery, the sky and the sea and it gives everything a perspective.”
“I wild swim for the calm, I love floating in the water with the sky above me. The feeling of the water around me and the quiet.”
“Wild swimming to me means connection. I am connected with myself, to my body and to the water, the lakeshore and the animals and plants around me. It is a connection with the weather of every kind. I can connect with my friends who together we can feel secure enough to share laughs and tears in the water.”
“In the moment my brain is able to focus solely on the cold water, the rhythm, the brain and the moment.”
“I swim for my mental health.”
“It makes me feel really connected and interacted with the lochs, pools that I visit and explore.”
Connection to Others and Ourselves.
Not only does wild swimming connect us with nature but it also connects us with those around us and to memories of others.
“After my dad encouraged me to give it a go, I decided to go with him and now we swim together every Sunday. It helps me feel recharged and we share a coffee afterwards.”
“After seeing my family wild swim, I decided to give it a go and loved it.”
And of course there’s the connection with ourselves…
“I wild swim to quiet my mind, nothing else seems to do that for me.”
“I wild swim because it makes me happy.”
“I came late to cold water dipping. It is excellent for grounding yourself and being in the moment and place. I’m exploring myself and the local scenery. I love it and would thoroughly recommend it.”
“Wild swimming to me means I can go on with my day without the constant background noise. I can make clear decisions and focus on the task at hand rather than everything else going on inside my head. It makes me feel alive in such a good way.”
Wild swimming means so much to so many people. It truly is an incredible thing to do. If you think you might be interested there are some suggested links at the end of this article to help get you started and don’t forget your tow float which is great safety companion and confidence booster.
A huge thank you to everyone who shared their ‘Why I Wild Swim’ passions with us.
Many Thanks for reading and do share why you wild swim.
Ellie Merriman.
Related Links:
Try a Wild Swimming Taster Session with Swim the Lakes
Article: Beginners Guide to Open Water Swimming