Article by the Drummond Team

Wild swimming is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Here’s some information to help you find the best swimming spots, staying safe in the water, what to wear, plus some UK wild swimming spots to help you get going!

The Outdoor Swimming Society has an interactive wild swim map where you can search for wild swimming spots all over the world and contribute your own secret swimming spots. Or download regional wild swimming apps to your iPhone or Android phone. There are also some great books available which give details of brilliant wild swimming spots. Here’s some suggestions:

Wild Swim, by Kate Rew; Wild Swimming by Daniel Start; and Wild Swimming: Hidden Beaches, also by Daniel Start. All three of these have swim spots listed all over the UK and detailed maps or OS references and directions.

If you’re looking for  more regional info try Wild Swimming Walks (Dartmoor and South Devon) by Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury; and Wild Swimming Walks (London) by Margaret Dickinson.

How to meet other wild swimmers

If you fancy meeting other  wild swimmers, do a search for wild swimming on Facebook. There are lots of regional wild swimming groups and they often have regular meetups, meaning you don’t have to swim alone.

You can also join the Outdoor Swimming Society too. Its one of the biggest wild swimming group in the UK and is free to join. The OSS hosts several events across the country, including the legendary Dart 10k, and also hosts a national outdoor swim event calendar.

What to wear when wild swimming

If you’re new to wild swimming it’s wise wear a wetsuit. It’ll keep you much warmer than a regular swimming costume and add buoyancy too. Ideally you should wear a swimming wetsuit rather than a surfing wetsuit when swimming outdoors, as it will have greater shoulder mobility and be smoother than a normal wetsuit, helping you to glide through the water with ease! However, if you’re just splashing around in a stream then a surfing wetsuit is fine.

f you’re swimming outdoors it’s wise to wear a brightly coloured swim hat as this will make you easier to spot in the water (especially as most swim wetsuits are black). The best colour to choose is red but any bright colour is good. If you feel the cold a lot try a neoprene swim cap or wear two caps, one on top of the other.

Goggles are a must if you’ll be going underwater. If you’re serious about outdoor swimming you may want to buy polarised goggles, which are designed to cope with bright conditions – glare off water can be dazzling – but work fine on a cloudy day. Mirrored goggles for sunny days are the next best option. On very gloomy days clear goggles are ideal.

Clean new goggles the first time you wear them by ‘scouring’ them with toothpaste, followed by shampoo – make sure you rinse both off properly!

Hands and feet feel the cold most so you may want to wear neoprene swim boots or gloves but these will add drag when you’re swimming. If you’re swimming anywhere that’s known for weever fish it really is wise to wear boots or surf shoes as their venomous spines are very painful if you stand on them.

Under your wetsuit you can just wear a normal swimming costume but if you find you get cold easily then try a rash vest under your wetsuit or extra ‘skin’ vest, made of thin neoprene.

If you’re swimming alone, use a tow float too.

Acclimatising to  wild swimming

Cold water shock can be deadly so even if you’re head to toe in neoprene it’s better not to jump into open water.

Instead, ease in and give yourself a few minutes to adjust to the temperature.

Cold water triggers an involuntary ‘gasp’ response. You may find you’re breathing more quickly or even feeling panicked. Allow these sensations to subside for a minute or two before actually swimming and splash water on your face before dipping your head under in a few times.

You will get used to cold water after just a few swims but build up the amount of time you spend in colder water gradually. On windy days you will lose body heat more quickly.

If you feel very cold, are shivering, or notice your skin is going white or even blue then get out. You can’t ‘outthink’ hypothermia! 

Staying safe when wild swimming

Open water is usually cold and may be very deep. There can be hazards like shopping trolleys or broken glass in rivers and lakes. Shingle beaches ‘shelve’ quickly, often becoming very deep not far from shore. Riverbanks can be slippery and hard to climb.

These potential hazards don’t mean you should stick to indoor swimming pools, but it’s good to be prepared. Read on for our safety guide to wild swimming.

Check the current

If you discover a river of cool water and you’re itching to dive in, check the water’s flow first. Throw in a stick or branch – if it floats off faster than you can swim, you won’t be able to beat the current when returning upstream. Avoid

 Gauge the depth

Diving or jumping should be carried out with great caution, even if you frequent a particular spot. Rocks, sand, branches and rubbish may have been swept downstream, creating shallow patches and hazards. If you must dive or jump always check the water is obstacle free and gauge the depth first by getting in and checking it out from the water, not from the side.

Don’t get too cold

Outdoor swimming spots are often chilly, even in the summer months, so zip yourself up in a wetsuit and work on acclimatising slowly (see our guide to acclimatisation above).

Hypothermia comes on gradually. You may start to feel ‘foggy’ or excessively tired. These are early warning signs. If your teeth start chattering or you’re starting to shiver then get out, dry yourself, put on some dry clothing and do some light exercise to heat your body back up – a walk is enough.

Have an escape plan

Always know and plan your escape routes, in case you get into trouble or need to get out of the water fast. Remember that riverbanks can be slippery and may be hard to climb so scout out shallow areas that will be easy to scramble out of.

Know your algae

Blue-green algae is a slippery and potentially dangerous substance. Avoid if possible. If it’s rife, move to a different location. It’s most commonly found around lakes in the late summer, and can cause skin rash, irritation to the eyes and sickness if swallowed.

Avoid swimming alone. A friend will maximise your safety when wild swimming, and as a bonus it’ll make your swim will be more enjoyable. If swimming with a friend isn’t possible then trail a bright tow float behind you on a cord and wear a colourful swim hat – red is the most visible. Although they’re not designed as buoyancy aids and should never be relied on as such, tow floats also give you something to hang onto for a second if you need a rest. Some have waterproof pockets to put valuables in, or storage for water and snacks.

Watch out for reeds

Weeds and reeds can be annoying but become dangerous if they are very thick. If you swim into dense reeds, avoid thrashing or fast movements and use your arms to swim away from that area. Pike also like to hide in submerged freshwater vegetation – another reason to avoid them!

Cover open wounds

Always cover up nicks and scratches with a good quality water resistant plaster.

Be prepared for cramps

Cramps are uncomfortable at the best of times, but in water they can be dangerous. Prevention is better than cure, so make sure you’re well hydrated before you get in. Dehydration and excessive strain on muscles can cause cramp, particularly during a long swim – if this does occur swim backstroke back to shore and rehydrate before swimming again.

Take care with children

Young children need constant supervision in water and a good quality buoyancy aid is recommended. Lilos should be avoided as they can be blown across open water easily or drift in a current.

 

Sources: Telegraph.co.uk / country file.com / Outdoor Swimming Society