How to Get Into Wild Swimming Safely
Wild swimming is amazing for both physical and mental health benefits, but it is important to take safety into account. Natasha Sones, wild swimming author and OS Maps Champion has written a blog post about safety tips for wild swimming beginners, in collaboration with This Girl Can and OS Maps.
Avoid Wild Swimming Alone
Swim with a buddy, just in case you get into any trouble. There are several wild swimming groups around now for this very purpose, to find like-minded friends to dip with. I first got into swimming through the Bluetits Chill Swimmers, who provide an inclusive, free to join social swim community.
If you are on your own, let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Take a fully charged mobile phone with you for emergencies. Download the OS Maps app and within it is Locate Me! – this is a fast and highly accurate means of pinpointing your exact location on an OS map. It has an inbuilt GPS system, so you don’t need a mobile signal.
Research The Wild Swimming Spot
Research a swim beforehand. Check the weather and tides. Find out about your swim location and look for hazards, water quality and flow. Can you get in and out easily? How will you get to a swim spot? OS Maps app can help you find exact locations, and What3Words is a helpful app too.
Start With A Wetsuit
Staying warm is the most important thing. Wearing a wetsuit will provide warmth, increase your buoyancy and reduce the risk of cold-water shock. Always check that your kit is clean without any traces of plant matter to ensure you are not spreading invasive plants.
Make Yourself Highly Visible
You need to be seen to be safe. Brightly coloured swimming hats in shades like red, green, or yellow significantly enhance a swimmer’s visibility in the water. A tow float is also important to allow you to be seen. A hat and swim shoes/gloves can be helpful too.
Enter The Water Slowly
Enter the water slowly. Swim against the current first so you aren’t too tired to exit. Stay relaxed and calm and maintain a steady breathing pattern. Be aware of other activities that are going on around you in the water, such as boats and watersports users. Keep a close eye on children, even those who can swim, and stay within arm’s length of them. Only stay in the water as long as you feel comfortable, not what your watch says.
Warm Back Up Quickly
Rewarm as quickly as possible. Dry off, remove your wet clothes and get dressed as soon as you get out of the water, in comfy layers. Lay towel and clothes out in advance so you can do this quickly. Warm up before you drive anywhere.
Watch Natasha’s fab Instagram Reel where she brings all of these tips to life.
Find More Wild Swimming Advice
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By Natasha Sones
Natasha Sones is a Stand-Up Paddleboarding Instructor, wild swimming enthusiast and Ordnance Survey Champion. She is also a travel writer and currently writing a book about wild swimming in England.
Read Natasha’s Travel Blog | Natasha Sones Family Adventures Blog
