You don't have to be cold. Choose to dip in water covered in sheets of ice, and get the most out of it, but also choose to get toasty. The Scandinavians have the knowhow when it comes to getting through the coldest, darkest months. Dry sauna heat to warm your aching body is high on the list of Scandi winter activities. The heat can help relax muscles, relieve tension, and soothe your body. Sensory-wise, it can be a beautiful experience. Sounds are quietened in the wood-lined space, there's a scent of pine and the light becomes saturated. You can be lucky and find a sports centre close ..read more

Following your regular footpaths along to what nature has to offer, you might not realise the vast majority of England and Wales is not accessible to you. The 'Law of Trespass' means we are actually banned from setting foot on hundreds and thousands of acres of open space.      The Law In 2000, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) gave us partial 'Right to Roam' over 8 per cent of England. Even taking into consideration we are on a densely populated Isle, with each person's boundary of their own home, 8 per cent doesn't seem like a great deal of access. The C ..read more

It's been two years in the making but Wild Water is finally out and holding its UK premiere at Kendal Mountain Film Festival 2023 on 16th November at 8pm. You can book tickets here. There will also be a Q & A with the director & producer plus some of the swimmers featuring in the film.  The film has already won best feature documentary in the August Hawaii International Film Awards and has been selected for the Toronto Documentary Feature and short Film Festival 2023 Wild Water is a beautiful documentary film about Gaddings Dam and the community of people ..read more

We recently had the pleasure of taking a taking a dip in the (very cold) St Dyfnogs well, Llanrhaeadr, North Wales. Saint Dyfnog, born into wealth, chose a simpler life as a monk. He settled in an isolated wooded area with a spring-fed stream and built a small wooden church, now the Church of St Dyfnog at Llanrhaeadr. ?⛪ The water springs from the hillside, converging into a spa-like pool with steps down for the faithful. Legend has it that St. Dyfnog lived here during the 6th century, performing penance under the torrent of water, clad in a horsehair shirt fastened with an iron belt. ?? &nbs ..read more

We were outraged to see nearly 50 pollution alerts across beaches in England and Wales last week. The government tells us these sewage discharges are a necessity when managing drainage capacity during torrential rain. But this is becoming an all too common excuse, allowing them to continue releasing untreated water into our rivers and seas. If it’s not rain, it’s “significant electrical issues at pumping stations”. Or… we find out that some water companies haven’t even installed the devices needed to effectively monitor their own sewage discharges. Oh and the water company bosses are getting ..read more

I’m not a natural swimmer, although I had lessons and learned to swim when I was quite young I never enjoyed it. The two state primary schools that I went to both had open air swimming pools. It seems like a luxury nowadays but to me it was like torture, they were soooo cold and full of chlorine with dead flies floating on the top. I would take half the lesson just to get into the water. Indoor swimming pools weren’t much better, the smell of chlorine just made me feel ill. I wasn’t an adventurous active child, much more likely to be found with my head inside a book, I certainly had no desire ..read more

Swimming? Outdoors? In the Yorkshire Moors? Yes please. We’re VERY excited about the newly announced Yorkshire Swim Works.  This ambitious project plans to make Yorkshire Swim Works one of the first naturally filtered public swimming pools in the UK, integrating nature, sport, and wellbeing. Their vision is to repurpose the former water treatment works below Thornton Moor Reservoir, and to create a swimming experience that connects people with nature and the health benefits of outdoor swimming, in chemical-free unheated water. A natural swimming pool is made h ..read more

Since January 1st 2022, more than 40 brave swimmers, from all over the UK, have been plunging into freezing cold water every single day – in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Crisis UK – the UK’s leading homelessness charity. These swimmers have dipped in all sorts of cold water – streams, reservoirs, waterfalls, rivers – even wheelie bins for dippers in Covid isolation! The only rule is no wetsuits, just red swimming cossies and big smiles! Five years ago January Daily Dip began with just two friends and the idea of dipping every day in January to raise money for Crisis. After a coupl ..read more

This blog was written by Christine Colvin, Director for Partnerships & Communications at The Rivers Trust and was originally published on The Rivers Trust website.   This week we have a new Environment Act. It’s not the best Act we wanted for the environment, but it is a better Act thanks to active participation by thousands of members of the public, NGOs and Lords. Against the Duke of Wellington on the topic of sewage pollution, the government very nearly met its Waterloo, with highly effective campaigning and collaboration from activists, wild swimmers and MPs, like Philip Dunne, wh ..read more

We love talking about swimming – it’s not just a business for us, it’s changed our lives. We are super chuffed to be in The Art of Wild Swimming – a beautiful and informative book packed with tips and suggestions from awesome folks in our swimming community. We’re amongst great company – some of our Feral Friends (including Gilly, Fenwick, and Ella) share their expert knowledge and experience of the water. The guide includes over a hundred of the most invigorating and rewarding swimming spots around the country. All of which have been tried and tested by swimmers who can be found dippin ..read more