How to dip a toe in the world of wild swimming with Superdry
Welcome to the wonderful world of wild swimming. Immersing yourself in an empty lake or the rolling ocean frees your mind; stretches out your limbs and washes away the stress of the outside world – and the best time to give the aquatic life a try is now, when summer has warmed the cold waters of our green island.
Whether you want to swim for exercise year-round or just splash about on a hot summer’s day, outdoor swimming is a wonderful way to explore Britain’s wildest corners – get started with Superdry’s new best wild swimming spots guide – Unknown Waters, which includes interviews with experts and some great UK swim spots, from wild waterfalls to secret spots near big cities.
Once you start seeking out the UK’s quiet, reed-edged rivers, shady forest pools and hidden waterfalls, you’ll be astonished at the beautiful, crowd-free wild spaces you can find. If you want to meet like-minded swimmers and explore new local spots, why not try joining your local outdoor swimming club – the Outdoor Swimming Society lists 100 social swim groups across the UK. Wild Swimming also lists amazing spots to swim at in Britain, from the quirky ‘pots’ – river plunge pools – of the Lake District to hidden Scottish beaches and deep Cornish quarries. Dip a toe in at my favourite spots and make sure you pack essential wild swimming kit – you might just find your inner mermaid.
FIVE FAVOURITE WILD SWIMMING SPOTS IN THE UK
Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire: Leap off one of the natural stone steps into the deep water of this coastal quarry for an adrenaline rush, but wear a wetsuit, as the water here is always pretty freezing.
Lake District Pots: The lovely land of the Lakes is a wild swimmer’s dream. On a baking hot day seek out the small, deep pots, full of irresistibly fresh cold water. A pot, in case you’re wondering, is a local name for a natural plunge pool. My favourite is Black Moss Pot.
Kynance Cove, Cornwall: Mermaids will feel right at home in the limpid water of this glorious cove. There’s a reason there are a myriad of paintings of this fairytale place – come early in the morning and you’ll have it all to yourself.
Sharrah Pools, Dartmoor: A cold, deep lagoon of crystal-clear water in the river Dart with a shady grove next to it for a picnic.
Bitton, Somerset: On baking hot days I love to cycle out of Bristol along the canal path to Bitton, where there’s a little jetty on the river you can jump off for a swim among reeds and moorhens.
FIND MORE BEAUTIFUL WILD SWIMMING UK SPOTS RECOMMENDED BY SUPERDRY
WILD SWIMMING: ESSENTIAL SAFETY
1, Scope out your swimming spot carefully before you get in. Check the depth and flow of the water (avoid swimming in fast-flowing currents) and look out for any hidden rocks or submerged branches.
2, Look for an exit point – work out a spot where you can easily get out of the water before you jump in.
3, Avoid swimming alone – dip with a buddy instead.
4, On cold days, have a robe and a hot drink hand on the shore so you can warm up quickly when you get out of the water, and aim to finish your swim before you start to shiver.
6, Protect your body – wear a wetsuit on cold days, and pop on aquatic sandals for protection on rocky ground. Slider sandals are a good idea for wearing on the shore.
7, If you encounter trailing weeds or seaweed, don’t panic – float gently through them and swim using your arms but not your legs.
WILD SWIMMING – KEY KIT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Superdry bikini or swimsuit – Superdry is a great one-stop shop for sporty yet stylish swimwear. The Superdry Essential bikini is great for wild swimming for fitness, and I love the print of this comfy Superdry Twist Bandeau bikini, perfect for holiday dipping.
Towel – pick a microfibre towel that’s easy to take on your adventures, such as these lovely stripy designs from Dock & Bay.
Tow float – a brightly coloured, inflatable safety buoy tied to your waist acts as your own personal flag when swimming and signals that there’s a human somewhere in the water. This Zone3 float is perfect for more serious swimmers
Layers – warm up once you’re out of the water with a cosy fleece or a changing robe. A flask of hot tea is a good idea too.
