Wasn't really sure what to put this under, but if you fancy a quick icy dip!!

I did Christmas Day and New Year’s day when it was positively balmy.

I had a dip on Saturday it was pretty miserable to be honest the water was like ice but that’s not a problem for me but changing on the beach in driving rain and high wind was really nasty -3 windchill
Hopefully do another in a few days I m determined to go through the winter for first time I think January February will be the worst It ll feel balmy by April ???

There are at least 3 places in Central London where outdoor swimming is enjoyed. The Serpentine, Hampstead Ladies’ Pond, and the Thames at Canary Wharf. DD and DS have both swam at the latter.

There is a group of wild swimmers in Oxford called Blue Tits. Nuff said.

DD swims in a local lake with a local wild swimming club.

In the winter thre are very strict rules about when you swim, where you swim and how long you stay in. Similarly when you come out, it is straight into your dryrobe/moon wrap and have a hot drink.

She bought an extra large dryrobe to make changing easy and looks like a mobile bell tent when wearing it

Even a heated swimming pool , isn't warm enough for me.

Nanika nearly have that a flask of hot coffee, a towel wrapped in a hot water bottle in my bag for when I get out and a moon wrap ( early Christmas present) to change in
All mod cons eh

I just go in and enjoy it never had a health check I don’t know if doctors would approve but I take note of reading up on it and what the lifeguards here advise I would never go out my depth never dip/swim alone and although others do I don’t go in if it’s rough as I wouldn’t risk getting knocked over by a big wave ( they were such fun when I was young and strong ) but I wouldn’t like it now

trisher

I wouldn't mind doing cold water swimming if I could have one of those Victorian bathing huts to get dressed in. Preferably with a maid holding pre-warmed towels and brewing a fresh pot of tea

Haha! Brilliant!

Would like to maybe have a go, but I wonder what's below, if something would bite me or some weed around my leg, me thinking its an eel or something!

Was once sat having picnic at Kirby Longsdale when suddenly 2 divers came up out the river, one said "did you see size of those eels"!!

I would presume one has to have a health check before taking the plunge.? or do you just go with it and make sure you feel ok.

I have never swum in water below freezing. That would be a first for me! Last winter DH and I went for a walk to small river and waterfall.

Next thing he knew - I was stripped off and heading into the water with nothing but a woolly hat on! There was ice on the sides of the waterfall. Little did he know I had packed a towel for just in case I got the swimming bug! I came out purply blue and I could hardly move but I had done it! DH had to help me dry off and help me dress again.

I went in for a dip 3 weeks ago - it was chilly but I'd go again. I have suffered from severe depression for many years but I'm on a healing curve. Needless to say I get a huge adrenalin rush from swimming in the cold water but I don't tend to stay in for very long.

I try to remember to have a cold rinse after a shower, to get my circulation going.

Having said that.... I have rolled in the snow butt naked in a forest, with a picture to prove it - a dear and trusting friend took the pic. I wasn't a bit cold even without shoes or a hat on. My poor friend was nearly dying inside but admired me because I had more balls than he did!

Funny how it’s nearly all ladies that do it ?
amberspyglass give it a go and come on and tell us about it but don’t stay in too long especially not if you haven’t been for a month or more
There is one lady 81 in our group (I m 76) so I m not the oldest The group is casual it can be 3/4 people it can be 40/50 someone suggests a time and place and who turns up turns up My daughter also swims evenings in an unheated lido and says that feels colder than the sea I think it’s because the sea is moving, well that’s my take on it, I know rivers are a degree or two colder than the sea
It does make you feel alive though I have some arthritis type pain in arms and hands so hoping it might shock it away
I ll let you know

DH walks along the prom every morning on route to get his paper.
He usually sees a group of mature ladies sea swimming no matter what the weather.

I haven’t been in the sea since October and I miss it! Might have to try this week…

We have 2 rowing boats on the canal behind are house and I have to bail them out once in awhile so I'm up to my knees in ice cold water and I love it . It's an amazing feeling I just wish there was somewhere near by I could wild water swim

I have just started doing sea swimming here in Wales. I last went in in November and the sea was 7 degrees. I haven’t been in yet in December as the tide times have not been good as either early morning (don’t get up early) or late afternoon and I won’t go in in the dark.
I am in a group called the Bluetits and some ladies go in every day whatever the weather.

There are a group of ladies who swim every day in the River Forth where I stay. This is a commercial river with oil rigs, fishing boats, standby vessels for the rigs all manned so not the tranquil, clean, clear waters like you see on Countryfile.

Bluebells, that’s fantastic. I know a friend who always showers in cold water first thing in the morning ?

Hats off to you Bluebelle!!!

I have a couple of friends who love their cold morning dip in the Lough. Madness I say, I have declined the invitation.

I'd be an interesting colour of peuce

Oh I’m envious, I have arthritis and have read up a lot about cold water swimming helping with this. I’d love to give it a go but unfortunately I don’t have anywhere near enough to try it out. Hats off to you all that do it on regular basis.

I've heard that the cold shock is very good for health and immunity. Would I do it? No!

If it is not tropical I do not go in.

vegansrock and when it gets really cold a wetsuit hat as well, or so DD tells me. When you get out you immediately put your big dryrobe on and have a hot drink.

DD then calls in at the local sports centre that has a steam room and sauna and luxuriates there for half an hour, before going home for lunch.