Wild Swimming (aka “cold water” or “Open Water”)

Wild swimming has really taken off over the last couple of years as some people turned to more creative ways to keep being active when most exercise and sports venues were closed because of lockdowns. It’s hard to go on any social media nowadays and not see at least one post about the joy and thrills someone has experienced from dipping in the sea/river/lake!

But what is all the fuss about and what about if you live with pain?

There are many things to consider when taking up a new activity or pastime, and this is no different for cold water swimming. Importantly there are a number of safety aspects that have to be considered, from knowing the venue (tides, currents etc) to knowing how to prepare and get dressed afterwards, to knowing a bit about how our bodies react to exposure to the cold.

The Footsteps team are really excited to host this session where we will hear from people who live with pain and a clinician who have found swimming outdoors in the cold water helpful.  We will briefly touch on some of the reported benefits and tips on how to start as well as hearing about the benefits experienced by those who have “taken the plunge”

Join Us!

So don’t be shy, if your interest has been whetted and you’d like to make sure your first dip goes swimmingly then why not join us on this voyage as we dive into all things outdoor swimming related!

Photo by Velizar Ivanov on Unsplash

Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash

Our Special Guests

We are delighted to be joined at this event by two very special guests…

Kathleen Wotton – wild swimmer extraordinaire

Kathleen took up wild swimming in the first Lockdown and it has changed her life. She lives with the conditions Lipoedema osteoarthritis, severe hypermobility, fibromyalgia, chronic asthma and depression and her story of the benefits of wild swimming is inspiring.

Find out more of Kathleen’s story here and here.

Her Facebook page is here.

Wallace J Nichols – Marine Biologist and author of Blue Mind

Wallace J. Nichols is a Marine Biologist and in the book “Blue Mind” reveals the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water.

Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success. Blue Mind not only illustrates the crucial importance of our connection to water; it provides a paradigm shifting blueprint for a better life on this Blue Marble we call home.

Find out more about the book here 

A review here.

Kathleen Wotton 

Blue Mind book cover

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