Chilling out with a winter dip
Wild swimming has surged in popularity as people seek the benefits of an icy plunge
Wild swimming has surged in popularity during the pandemic as swimmers take to the sea and waterways, seeking the adrenalin rush — and health benefits — of plunging into chilly waters. Linda Stewart finds out why it’s so popular
It’s said to be good for circulation, boost metabolism, improve your skin, enhance your immune system and even make you happier. And wild swimming seems to have found its moment, with a surge in popularity during lockdown as people turned to the delights of the ice-cold sea dip.
In the last few years what was once a niche activity has surged in popularity, with new groups springing up across Northern Ireland, from the Ballyhalbert Bathers and the Millisle Dippers to the Jordanstown Lough Swimmers, the Menopausal Mermaids and the Portstewart Seabirds.
While RNLI says there has been an explosion of interest in outdoor swimming, they have warned anyone considering going for a dip not to take unnecessary risks.
Across the UK they have seen an 80% increase in emergency callouts for swimming related incidents year-on-year between January and November, compared to the same period in 2019.
Mark Simpson
BBC Newsline reporter Mark Simpson is a relatively old hand, now into his fourth winter of open water swimming after first taking the plunge in Loch Ness in 2016.
“The golden rule is never, ever swim alone,” he says.
“I found a group called the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers, who go in at high tide every day. I got hooked — I was just about to turn 50 and found the cold water very soothing on old aches and pains in my knees and back.”
Mark says he doesn’t wear a wetsuit when he takes a dip but would never judge anyone who does.
“A wetsuit gives you a bit more buoyancy, and safety must come first especially if you’re just starting out,” he says.
“At this time of year, it’s very cold.
“But I enjoy the challenge, and recently joined a group of swimmers who do 1km front crawl at least once every month all year round.
“As the saying goes, ‘if it was easy, they’d call it football’.”
Chris Millar
Engineer Chris Millar (45), from Ballymena, got the bug in 2013 and began open water racing the following year, before progressing to triathlon and Iron Man. He launched his own open water coaching business — Streamlined Open Water Swim Coaching — during furlough after using the time to gain his open water coaching qualification. Last year he launched introductory courses for swimmers who wanted a taste of the open water but didn’t know where to start.
“We start with locations, the type of equipment you need, hazard awareness, awareness of conditions — because if you’re swimming in the sea, the weather can have a massive effect on water conditions,” Chris says.
“I try to teach people to think about the weather conditions, even before they leave the house — look at what the forecast says, how fast the wind is blowing and what direction it’s blowing from. Where people go wrong is that they travel to the sea, get there and it’s really rough, but they say, ‘I’m here, so I’ll get in anyway’.”
Chris says he loves the fresh air and salty water in the open sea: “Sometimes you could be swimming along by Waterfoot and you stop to look around you, and you’re looking up at the mountains and the valleys from a different angle.
“It’s the freedom of it and the fresh air and the cold water itself. When you come out you just feel so positive, so alive. You can tell when a group of people are straight after a swim — they’re just full of life, they have big smiles and their faces light up.”
Wild swimmers can be divided into dippers and swimmers, Chris says.
“There are people for whom it’s more about the cold water rather than the training aspect of it. They get in, have a dip, do some breaststroke, have a chat and straight out again — for me, I prefer the exercise element as well.”
His advice to newcomers is that if they’re aren’t used to cold water, winter may not be a good time to start. Never swim alone — there are many online groups which will be only too glad to welcome new members — and consider contacting a local coach for advice or a session.
He advises using a tow float and starting with only a few minutes before building up slowly, and to have an exit strategy in place, including easy access to warm clothing, a hat and a hot drink.
Alison Morris
Student social worker Alison Morris (47), from east Belfast, has been sea swimming for around two years, starting with a small group of 10 in February 2019 which has now expanded to include more than 300 members.
“The short dips are not for fitness or cardio — they really are for mental health. They totally reset me and you are only one swim away from a good mood,” she says.
“I have found anecdotally that the more difficult or challenging a time someone has had, the more benefit they get from those cold dips and swims.
“There is nothing that makes me feel as good as that short 15 minutes in the sea in the middle of winter.”
Mary O’hagan
Mary O’hagan (43), from Maghera, took up sea swimming in October 2019, joining the Arcadia Bathing Club in Portrush, as she had read that it might help with her chronic illnesses, including osteoarthritis in her hands and spine, fibromyalgia with associated chronic fatigue, spinal stenosis and sciatica.
“My mobility isn’t great and
‘When you come out you feel so alive, so positive’
I can’t walk very far. I can swim much further. I have good days and bad days. Bad days, I can be pretty much bed bound — I use a walking stick or a rollator to get about at times. During better days or periods of time, I can be more active,” she says.
“From the start, I loved swimming, and was quickly hooked. Every Sunday, no matter the weather, I drove to The Port.
“I found my pain was less, my fatigue was reduced and I just felt alive again after years of being unwell. Swimming eases my pain immediately. I’m pretty much pain-free in the water, aside from muscle spasms and cramps.
“In September I applied to become a mental health swim host, and I launched a monthly swim meet on East Strand, solely aimed at getting people with mental health problems out and swimming/dipping. If we could bottle and supply Vitamin Sea, it would be hailed as a miracle drug!”
Nadine Campbell
Meanwhile, freelance marketing consultant Nadine Campbell (40) from Co Antrim describes herself as a newbie who had been suffering from regular migraines and took up wild swimming to try to reduce them — it worked.
“The last migraine I would probably have had was November and that is unheard of — I normally get two or three in a month,” she says.
“I’ve found you get the most out of it when you dunk your head in the water; it’s a reset.”
Nadine’s tips are to keep a hot water bottle in the bag with your dry clothes, so that they are warm afterwards, bring a bathmat to stand on and wear a wetsuit.
“When you get into the water, you embrace your inner five year old. It reminds you of running through the waves when you were a kid,” she says.
Megan Potts
Mental health blogger Megan Potts (23) from Moira joined an open water swimming group on Facebook and now travels to Helen’s Bay most weekends for a swim.
“Initially, I was hoping to get some benefit for my mental health and get a bit fitter after spending a lot of the first lockdown not doing a great deal,” she says.
“I didn’t expect to get significant pain relief from plunging into cold water, which actually enabled me to stop taking prescription strength painkillers for severe back pain.
“I came off beta blockers for anxiety within a couple of weeks of starting swimming, after 10+ years of struggling with my mental health — I wish I’d tried open water swimming sooner!”
Denise Drummon Scott
Denise Drummond Scott (63), who runs a B&B cottage near the Giant’s Causeway, took up wild swimming with Menopausal Mermaids after recovering from suspected Covid last March.
“It left me feeling so weak and debilitated, “she says. “I needed to get strong — I am an active person and I’d read so much about swimming and the health benefits that I decided to give it a go.
“I got my wee rescue dog a life jacket and I take him with me. I feel absolutely exhilarated every day. My aim is to swim in 64 different places by the time I’m 64. It’s the fact that you start something new later in life and get a new passion in life — I’ve fallen in love with sea swimming.”
Gareth Morrison
RNLI Head of Water Safety Gareth Morrison says volunteer lifeboat crews have dealt with a relatively high number of incidents since the end of the summer involving swimmers and dippers.
“There are a number of things to help ensure you have an enjoyable and safe time in the water such as not swimming alone, staying in your depth and knowing how to warm up properly afterwards, which sounds obvious but is crucial to avoid any delayed effects of the cold.
“We would also always recommend checking with your doctor before trying it for the first time, especially if you have underlying health issues.
“If in any doubt, stay out of the water. If you or anyone else does get into trouble in or on the water, please call 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.”