Your Great Outdoors
e id S d il W e h t n o im w S A Deborah Monshin er. Windermere. Edited by Pipp King, Outdoor swimm
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began my wild swim journey 4 years ago. I've always been a keen swimmer, but before moving to the Lake District I was pounding the pool, mile upon mile of chlorinated, eyestinging, chemical hell. Although the exercise gave me the fitness, strength and flexibility I wanted, the experience was emphatically underwhelming. Once I relocated, it soon dawned on me that I had the opportunity to change my life. Surrounded by natural un-crowded pools and the most amazing scenery. I'm an outdoors swimmer, a lakes & tarn swimmer, a seeker of swimming hedonism. It resets my mind and my stress levels, I am forced to focus on the absolute immediate, the here and now. I very often swim alone, alone with my thoughts and feelings, letting the water calm and reassure me. It makes me remember how strong and determined I can be. And it's addictive!
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The feeling of cold water on our nervous system, can give relief from muscle aches, headaches, and tinnitus. Many people wild swim for mental and physical well-being or to be totally immersed in nature and their surroundings. It’s important to be aware of the weather and the swimming conditions it brings, even as a strong swimmer. For me, wind is probably the worst: wind brings the choppy waters and the really cold, unexpected slap in the face that makes you gasp for life. Mental strength is needed to reset the composure, get the breathing back under control, and keep swimming! It
is hard to train yourself to expose yourself to extreme drops in temperature, but this exhilarating feeling is well deserved as a reward for dogged determination. Swimming in the rain is one of the best experiences, watching it arrive over the fells and into the lake can be mesmerizing. If you are considering wild swimming, find a group, and learn how the water can affect you as an individual, and build your confidence. The outdoor swimming community is everywhere, friendly, supportive and non-judgemental. Invest in safety equipment and neoprene, and layer up when you get changed. Hot drinks and cake afterwards is a must! Enter the water slowly and carefully to avoid cold water shock. When swimming solo, stay close to shore, let someone know where you are, and text them when you're back on dry land! Swimming anywhere involves risk, so always respect the water.
Roots of Life Wellness Magazine www.therootsoflife.co.uk
