10 minute read
take the plunge
More than half of Outdoor Swimmer’s survey participants said they enjoyed it more than they expected. (C) BASIL ARDEN
Swimming in Britain’s navigable rivers is ee, fun and good for you, says Simon Gri ths
Regular users of Britain’s waterways may have noticed an upsurge in wild swimmers since the start of the fi rst lockdown in 2020. Data collected by Outdoor Swimmer magazine shows the number of people swimming outside increased by between one-anda-half and three times last summer, compared to 2019. Many of these people will continue swimming in rivers, lakes and the sea when pools reopen because they had such a positive experience. More than half (52%) said they enjoyed it more than they expected, 47% liked it as much as they expected and only 1% liked it less than they thought they would.
The main reasons people say they swim outdoors is because it does them good and they enjoy it. In Outdoor Swimmer’s survey, three-quarters of respondents said it is essential or very important for their general wellbeing. Other reasons people swim outdoors include connecting with nature, supporting their mental health, and simply having fun.
Does that tempt you to join them? Speaking om personal experience, boating can o er plen of wild swimming opportunities. Moreover, it’s ee, and you don’t need to be a great swimmer. All that’s required is that you’re comfortable in water, can fl oat, and are able to propel yourself gently forwards or backwards.
Getting started
Assuming you’re in good health and have no underlying conditions that might be a risk factor when swimming, you fi rst need to fi nd a safe and legal place to swim. In general, swimming is permi ed in navigable rivers. However, there are restrictions around locks (you wouldn’t want to swim near locks or weirs for safe reasons anyway) and there may be local by-laws prohibiting swimming in certain spots. You also need to ensure you’re not trespassing on private land to reach the
Canal swimming is generally not allowed – the Red Bull Neptune Steps race at Maryhill Locks on the Forth & Clyde is an exception.
water, so access the water using public paths or om a boat. Swimming in canals is usually not allowed.
Make your fi rst swim short. Call it a dip rather than a swim. Keep your feet on the riverbed if you like and just immerse yourself up to your shoulders. Try a few easy strokes if you feel like it. Head-up breaststroke is perfect.
Once you’ve done a couple of dips, and depending how confi dent you feel, you can extend your swim but still keep it short while you develop a feel for wild
TONY WALLBANK, MARATHON PHOTO. Henley Swim Festival on the River Thames offers an element of competition for outdoor swimmers on our inland waterways.
swimming. Try fi ve, ten or 15 minutes. Relax, let the water support you, be aware how your skin tingles and look around. You see things di erently om the water. Birds o en allow you to approach much more closely than they do when you’re a lumbering giant on land. See how gently and silently you can move through the water. Tune in to what you can hear; notice how the air smells close to the water. Refl ect on how lucky you are to enjoy that amazing moment and how you’ve become a wild swimmer, as easily as that.
What about the cold?
Cold water is dangerous. It can cause cold water shock, swim failure and hypothermia. However, it’s also easy to manage these risks. Among regular swimmers, less than 10% say cold is a big barrier and more than a third of male swimmers and nearly half of female swimmers say cold water is no barrier at all to outdoor swimming.
Cold water shock is the body’s initial and automatic response to rapid change in skin temperature. It causes, among other things, a sharp intake of breath, an increase in breathing rate and an increase in blood pressure. It pically lasts up to a couple of minutes. Five or six short dips in cool water is enough to reduce the cold water shock response signifi cantly. Swim failure and hypothermia can be avoided by leaving the water and warming up before they set in. Many swimmers, once they’ve acclimatised, look forward to the winter and the opportuni to swim in cooler water, insisting it gives the biggest boost to their wellbeing.
Considerate boating
Responsible swimmers know it can be hard to see them in the water. They will therefore use high-visibili tow fl oats and wear brightly coloured swimming caps. They also appreciate that boats take time to stop and manoeuvre, and will therefore stay clear. However, as outdoor swimming becomes increasingly popular, you may encounter swimmers who lack this awareness, so please be extra vigilant.
Kit faff
You may have noticed that some wild swimmers have an awful lot of kit. You don’t need any of this to enjoy a wild swim. Even a costume is optional, although you should wear one if you’re swimming anywhere public! However, certain items of kit can make your swim safer and more enjoyable. Here are a few things that might be useful...
A wetsuit
You don’t need a wetsuit for wild swimming. If you stick to swims of less than 10 minutes, you won’t get hypothermia, even in the winter. A wetsuit also deprives you of some of the sensory experience you get om immersing yourself in cool water and the buoyancy can put your legs in an awkward position for swimming breaststroke. On the other hand, a wetsuit will increase your comfort in cool water and allow you to swim for longer without risking hypothermia. It will also keep you afl oat, which is a useful safe feature, and help you to swim faster ont crawl if you ever want to race. A swimming-specifi c wetsuit is best for fl exibili .
Neoprene socks or similar
Although they make swimming feel unnatural, neoprene socks help protect your feet om sharp objects, which is particularly useful if you’re swimming somewhere unfamiliar. Some swimmers like them for swimming in cooler water as your extremities feel the cold fi rst.
Goggles
If you want to put your face in the water, goggles are great. They protect your eyes and, if the water is clear enough (which isn’t o en in UK rivers), allow you to see underwater.
Swimming hat
A brightly coloured cap makes you more visible in the water, so is worth wearing as a safe device. It also keeps your head warmer.
A wetsuit is optional but a tow fl oat is recommended to improve visibility in the water.
Tow float
These brightly coloured fl oats are a brilliant safe device and make a huge di erence to whether other water users can see you. If you’re swimming anywhere with boat tra c, they’re essential. Although not life-saving devices, you can also rest on them if you want a breather. There are lots of designs on the market. Many have built-in dry bags so you can carry kit with you and keep valuables safe.
Changing robe
If you want to be identifi ed as an outdoor swimmer, get a changing robe. They are perfect for warming up a er a cold swim and double up as an extra coat – useful for chilly evenings on a boat.
Towel
Keeping safe
Recommended swim spots
The most important principle for safe swimming is to think first. Use your judgement to carry out a personal risk assessment based on your experience and swimming capability. For comprehensive safety advice please refer to Outdoor Swimmer’s website: outdoorswimmer. com/open-water-safety.
Clockwise from left: River Thames, River Hamble, River Avon.
THe key poiNTS are: • Ensure you can easily enter and exit the water. • Look out for anything that indicates pollution or toxic algae blooms. Don’t swim if in doubt. • Enter the water carefully in case there are hidden obstacles. • Check the current. If it is faster than you can swim, you’ll need to find an exit point downstream of where you get in. • Make sure your breathing is calm before moving out of your depth and swimming. • If you are sharing the water with others, use a brightly coloured tow float, and look around frequently. • Always swim with someone else, or with somebody keeping an eye on you. • Keep away from boats. • Don’t drink and swim. • When swimming in tidal waters, pay particular attention to the currents and the depth of water, and how and when they change. additional considerations if you’re swimming from a boat: • Ensure the boat is securely moored or anchored and the engine is switched off. • Make sure you can get back into the boat from the water. This can be surprisingly difficult if your boat doesn’t have a ladder.
Simon Griffiths is the founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer magazine. He has taken boating and wild swimming holidays with his family on the Upper Thames, the Norfolk Broads, the Caledonian Canal and Mecklenburgische Seenplatte in Germany.
River Thames near Teddington
Moor at Teddington Lock and walk upstream about 400m until there is a wide field on your left. This is a beautiful stretch of the Thames only a few miles from central London. There are a couple of easy entry and exit points here, where you can stand waist-deep before launching into deeper water. Watch out for rowers, scullers and kayakers, and powered boats heading into or out of the lock cut. a brightly coloured tow float is strongly recommended. Water quality decreases after heavy rain but is generally good. The current is usually gentle, especially in summer, but can be fast. Check before swimming.
Postcode: TW10 7YE
River Avon at Eckington Bridge picnic site
park in the eckington Bridge picnic site car park. Face the river with the bridge on your left and the entry point is on the far right-hand side of the car park, next to the fence. Water is waist-deep at the entry point and the riverbed consists of soft mud. This is a well-used stretch of river, so look out for kayakers, paddleboarders and canal boats. a tow float is advisable for visibility. The current is gentle as long as the river level isn’t too high. Check before swimming.
Postcode: WR10 3DD
River Hamble near Burridge
There are lots of places to access the Hamble, such as Botley Canoe Club slipway, the river Hamble Country park pontoon or the car park behind the old Ship at Swanwick. Highly recommended is the section best accessed by parking at Burridge Village Hall. From the car park head north-east across the playing fields, where you will find a public footpath to the river. The distance from the car park is less than 600m. There’s a small beach and grass area that is sheltered, and it’s a popular place to swim from. The river is tidal. The best time for a dip is up to 20 minutes after high tide for Bursledon. That said, you could swim 45 minutes either side of high tide but please be aware that the tidal flow increases. Watch out for kayakers, paddleboarders and, on busy days, powered boats. a brightly coloured tow float is strongly recommended. Water quality decreases after heavy rain but is generally good. if you’re very lucky, you might spot a seal.
Postcode: SO31 1BL
