Wild Swimming – by local resident Jamie Storrie
I started wild swimming on & off about 10 years ago. This would be quick dips into the sea wherever I had travelled to for holidays/weekend breaks. This then developed into longer swims each time I saw an attractive lake/river whilst I was hiking whether it be the Pyrenees, Snowdonia, the Lake District, Scotland etc. But my passion for wild swimming really developed when I moved to Batheaston 2 years ago.
Jamie swimming at Warleigh Weir in march
Warleigh weir has become one of my favourite places where I can find solace & I try to visit for a swim at least once a week. Although it can get busy on a sunny weekend, the stretch of the water past the weir is so beautiful & I really enjoy swimming with the kingfishers, dragonflies, herons over head as well as being surrounded by incredible woodland. We are spoilt for choice for wild swimming spots living in Batheaston – Batheaston Riverside, Bathampton mill (bridge area to be avoided), Dundas Aqueduct, Farleigh Hungerford, Tellisford Weir offer other great local opportunities.
Jamie and a friend swimming at Farleigh Hungerford on New Year’s Day
From March 2020 to March 2021, I have managed to swim every 2 weeks without a wetsuit, I love how my body has adapted to the cold temperatures so that swimming in May feels like swimming in Barbados (not quite! but you get my drift).
Invigorating!
One of the main things I love about wild swimming is the benefits it gives me to my mental health. That initial shock of getting into cold water really helps me disconnect from my day-to-day life & any stress/anxiety I may be feeling. I can often struggle to disconnect from work during the evenings & even affects my sleep, but wild swimming has helped ease this. When I am travelling to a wild swimming spot, I get excited about getting that feeling again & also if I haven’t swum for a week or so I just don’t feel right & my body starts to crave that “reset”. Combined with being in nature it is a great example of mental well-being that we all have access to on our doorstep.
Over the last couple of months, I have been trying to have cold showers of up to 2 minutes in the mornings. I would recommend this to anyone – it is a great start to the day & you can get some of the benefits of wild swimming without even leaving the house! It is also an easy way of getting your body used to cold temperatures. I would start at 30 second showers then increase it each week if you want to.
All of the above may sound appealing to some, but there also serious dangers to wild swimming that can be easily avoided with good preparation. I have had to learn the hard way with experience on what is needed to avoid hypothermia after Wild Swimming. First of all, the common rule is to stay in the water for 1 minute per degree (for e.g., 6 mins for 6 degrees) I would recommend doing probably half of this if you are new to Wild Swimming. The sea is about 10 degrees at the moment, so the rivers will be slightly colder as the water source is running off the hills. Although I love swimming solo, I would advise swimming in pairs or taking a friend along as a spotter when you are starting out & you are unfamiliar with where you are swimming just in case you run into any issues. I also love swimming without a wetsuit and you can stay in the water longer whilst wearing one. But I feel you miss out on the feeling of when the water hits your skin. I would advise people to wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing in the water & would not want people to feel more anxious than can be avoided as could lead to issues whilst swimming. This is meant to be a fun experience!
1 of the biggest inspirations to my wild swimming path has been Wim Hof who talks about the mental/physical benefits of coldwater exposure in a very scientific way. He also offers useful breathing techniques to deal with the initial shock of cold water.
Another inspiration has been Roger Deakin & his book “Waterlog”. He beautifully writes about different places he has swum in Britain. Each time I read a page it makes me want to go wild swimming!
Please see a list of essential kit to make the whole experience enjoyable:
1 x hot tea (or drink of your choice) in flask
1 x slice of cake, chocolate (or some other sugary goodness to reward yourself!)
1 x towel
1 x woolly hat
1 x warm joggers
1 x fleece
1 x warm coat
1 x blanket/rug to stand on
1 x thick socks (I recommend thermal socks)
1 x Wellies for easy of putting on in wet/muddy grass
I am excited to share my experiences with the local community & help people get into this wonderful, free hobby!
We are running a wild swimming taster session on Saturday June 19th 10AM – 11.30AM, meeting in the riverside car park in Batheaston opposite the shops.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Cheers
Jamie