Embrace the Chill: Cold Water Dips and swimming

Diving into the deep: My Year Round Cold-Water Swimming Journey started two years ago. I embarked on a new adventure that would change my relationship with water forever. After COVID and its lock downs I lost all enthusiasm for exercise. I saw beach yoga with a swim afterwards advertised on a local Facebook group and why not give it a go? It all began with a simple dip in April—the water was still cold, a toe in the chilly sea, a tentative exploration of the unknown. Little did I know that this initial plunge would lead me to embrace year-round cold-water swimming, a practice that has become an integral part of my life.

From Tentative Dips to exciting swims beyond the Pier

My journey started modestly. I dipped my toes into the icy waters, testing my resolve against the biting cold. Gradually, I progressed to more daring feats—swimming around the pier, then the 5-knot buoys, those markers that bobbed defiantly in the open sea. Each swim was a challenge but I was up for it; with discomfort, a conversation between my body and the elements. The sea became my muse, its ever-changing moods shaping my experience.

What a Bold Commitment: Joining the 52-Week Swim Challenge

In November 2022, I embarked on a personal challenge: 52 weeks of swimming in a body of natural water. The cold body of water for me was the cold sea by the English Riviera. How difficult can it be, I ask. I swam all Spring and Summer, a little bit of Autumn and Winter weather won’t bother me. Most weeks I went it 3 to 5 times a week, I stripped down to my skin, donned a simple swimsuit, and faced the elements head-on. Boots and gloves were my only companions. The routine became a ritual—a way to connect with nature, to feel the pulse of the tides, and to honour the changing seasons. The cold sea water washes away your sorrows and you re-emerge rejuvenated and free of all the worries you had before. After the swim, quickly get changed into a warmed towel and big waterproof changing rope.

Exploring the English Riviera by sea

Summer arrived, and with it, a new chapter. I joined a new swim aquatics group, and together, we explored the entire English Riviera coastline. From Torre Abbey Sands to Paignton Pier, we swam, laughed, and cheered each other on. The water became our playground, its depths hiding secrets, discovering Hindu caves, jumping off rocks and discovering sea life all around us. We concluded our aquatic odyssey with the annual Agatha Christie swim—a celebration of endurance and camaraderie. A 1 mile swim around the beautiful English Riviera coastline. Swimming through London bridge arch was the most beautiful sight ever.

Mastering the Front Crawl – taking swimming lessons

But my aquatic adventures didn’t stop there. I decided to tackle the front crawl—a stroke that I never learned. My friend Kaytee and I booked swimming lessons to learn the front crawl from scratch and how alien the movement was to me. My legs didn’t kick when they were supposed to and my arms felt like they were led. With determination, I relearned the rhythm, the pull, the breath. I am just now (a year later) comfortably swimming a length in front crawl without getting out of breath half way through. The pool became my training ground, its chlorinated waters a stark contrast to the wild sea. Stroke by stroke, I transformed from a floundering swimmer to one who glided effortlessly through the water.

Cold Water Therapy: A Curious Pursuit to learn more

Last year, my friend Kaytee and I delved into the world of cold water therapy. It was a topic I wanted to know more about, with little research to guide us. We signed up to do a cold water diploma course and we learned so much from it. One thing we learned is that most studies focused on male bodies, their physiological responses so different from ours. . We explored the science behind cold immersion, the impact on circulation, and the release of endorphins. And as we shivered after our early morning sea dips we discovered a hidden resilience within ourselves. There is so much more to cold water swimming, which I will expand in another article.

The Exhilaration of the Cold Sea

And then there’s the sea—the cold sea that beckons me each morning. I don my swimsuit, step onto the sand, and feel the waves kiss my toes. The initial shock is electrifying—a jolt to the system, a reminder of my aliveness. I breathe deeply, willing my body to adapt. The mind battles the chill, reassuring me that this is a choice, not a fight for survival. And as I swim, my sorrows dissolve, my worries ebb away. The rhythm of the strokes becomes a meditation, a hymn to resilience.

Exciting swim adventures ahead

So here I am, poised on the edge of another year. Longer sea swims await, rivers beckon, and uncharted waters call my name. I’ll navigate the currents, chase sunrises, and dive into the unknown. And perhaps, along the way, I’ll unravel the mysteries of the female body—the intricate dance of hormones, the resilience of muscle, the whispers of intuition.

Cold-water swimming isn’t just about the physical—it’s a symphony of elements. It’s the sea’s salty embrace, the wind’s playful tugs, and the fire that burns within. And as I plunge into the depths, I know that I’m part of something ancient and eternal—a communion between water and soul.

The Joyfulness of Friendship

But let me share a secret—the moments after that initial shock are where magic happens. As I wade deeper, my body adjusting to the temperature, I start chatting with my fellow swimmers. We create a chorus of laughter and exclamations—the joyous noise of friends united by a shared love for the water. Swimming makes me feel like a carefree girl, running into the water simply because it’s fun. The calmer waters, adorned with beautiful sunrises, await me—I eagerly anticipate the clocks springing forward, a first-time experience. And always, I respect the sea, observing its moods, its tides, its ancient wisdom

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