One Bluetit's experience of three years of wild swimming

Another winter approaches and it will be getting to the end of my third year of wild swimming and cold water dipping. What a journey!! Starting off with zero energy and enthusiasm due to ill health - thanks go to my friend Paul for introducing me - I have found the past years and experiences a cacophony of liberating, joyful, exhausting, depressing and monumental, on my own terms and within my own boundaries. Above all else - exquisitely grounding.

Like a Girl Guide I continue to collect badges to chart my incremental achievements and maintain a sense of pride when it feels as though I am going backwards against the current of life. As like an ebbing tide, I have connected with other swimmers depending upon the weather of my physical and mental health, who get what all this madness of being in cold water is all about.

As I know so many other Tits will attest, when your emotional and physical sea it out or it's blowing a hoolie, then just the drive to your chosen spot and getting into your swimsuit can be a struggle. On the flip side, when our toes touch that water, or we are warm and dry with a cuppa in our hands after a dip, our spirits lift and we feel connected and grounded in nature, and anything is possible. I continually remind myself that, as Thich Thein-An, a Buddhist Monk, puts so eloquently "let the mind flow like water. Face life with a calm and quiet mind and everything in life will be calm and quiet." 

A few shout-outs during my 3 year navigation in both calm and rough seas must go to:

- The beauty of Lake 32 and its hard working Team - a place which has been my weekly  harbour and sanctuary.

- To my ships crew who are my dear group of non-swimming and swimming friends steering me safely through life with friendship, laughter and love.

- And, the wider Bluetits fraternity whom I have met along the way and touched base with off and on at other swim spots of Cromhall Quarry, Clevedon Marine Lake. and Windermere, all of whom have taught me the value of community and connection. Thank you! 

I hope 2026 holds for you as much joy in the water as 2025 has done. Be safe x