Diving into Wellness: The 2024 Swim for Health Report

We have all encountered anecdotes and observed proof that swimming benefits our mental wellbeing. Yet, we do not always communicate how that correlates to our trips with our audience. In this blog, we are going to explore the analysis of the influence trips have on our travellers’ physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Naturally, this isn’t the complete narrative. Our 2024 report aims to evaluate a representative sample of SwimTrekkers (209 participants) who took swimming holidays during our most active season. We will examine the gathered data and the summarized feedback they provided.

Comprehensive Results

We were excited to find that the feedback from the respondents who participated in our survey was overwhelmingly favorable:

• 111 indicated that both their mental and physical health improved (53.11%)
• 19 claimed only their physical health enhanced (9.09%)
• 28 asserted only their mental health improved (13.39%)

In total, among those surveyed, 158 (75.59%) indicated either an enhancement in mental wellbeing or physical health attributable to their experience with us. While there is always potential for enhancement, this reinforces our long-standing belief that active holidays significantly positively influence both mind and body.

“It has motivated me to maintain a swim fitness regimen that positively impacts my overall physical and mental wellbeing” – L. Sheridan (SwimTrekker)

The Questionnaire

To finalize our report, we surveyed 565 participants across 42 trips on 19 distinct journeys (from 31 August – 15 September 2024).

These journeys included: Aeolian Islands, Lycian Way, Dalmatian Coast, Emerald Coast, Greek Cyclades, Greek Sporades, Ionian Explorer, Intro To Open Water, Open Water Development, Kornati Islands, Bali, Tremiti Islands, Western Lakes, YogaSwim Bali, YogaSwim Crete, YogaSwim Lake District, Milos, and Montenegro.

From those surveyed, we received 209 replies to the following inquiries:

• How would you evaluate your overall mental health and wellbeing since participating in your SwimTrek journey?

• How would you assess your overall physical health and wellbeing since partaking in your SwimTrek experience?

• Will your experience with SwimTrek inspire you to be more physically active, engage in exercise more regularly, or make any lifestyle adjustments upon your return?

“I believe knowing I am heading on the SwimTrek holiday motivates me to be fit beforehand, so I find that a significant incentive to swim frequently and sustain my fitness. Thus, I feel the impact is likely more before I go and then I aim to uphold it upon returning home.” – B. Perry (SwimTrekker)

Your Feedback

The majority of responses were from individuals aged 50-69, which reflects our standard SwimTrekker demographic.

However, the table below illustrates responses from various other age categories as well.

These results highlight our dedication to fostering the betterment of our guests’ mental and physical health through active swimming vacations across the globe.

From the findings, we were able to conclude the following:

• 70% of participants experienced noticeable enhancements in their mental health
• 65% witnessed improvements in their physical well-being (based on responses of ‘Better’ or ‘Much Better’)
• 62% indicated the experience would motivate them to be more physically active upon returning

“There was an occasion where I had to push really hard mentally to keep going and I would have loved to surrender… yet I didn’t, and the fulfillment and accomplishment I felt upon finishing that day was INCREDIBLE. That’s always a benefit for anyone’s mental wellbeing!” – N. Sharrin (SwimTrekker)

Insights from Your Responses

Your responses to our survey indicate that swimming trips have a considerably positive effect on our participants’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Swimmers like Kara (SwimTrekker) expressed that the experience provided a ‘fantastic reset’ from the stresses of everyday life. She mentioned how the journey assisted her in reassessing her work/life equilibrium and benefited her mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Marcella (SwimTrekker) conveyed that during her journey, she felt more optimistic, appreciative, and self-assured. Her mental health enhancement was mainly driven by engaging in physical activities and being surrounded by nature.

Despite the positive remarks, we must also acknowledge that 2% of our participants voiced negative feedback. It would be unjust for us to disregard any areas where we can enhance our future services.

Prospective Enhancements

One factor we would love to manage is the weather. Several respondents mentioned unfavorable weather conditions that detracted from their trips. For instance, John Parsons (70-79, UK) noted that due to inclement weather, the group swam considerably less than anticipated, diminishing the expected physical health benefits.

One measure we can take to mitigate this is to introduce more adaptable itineraries. We are investigating the possibility of offering alternative activities on days when weather conditions are unsuitable for swimming. For example, indoor fitness classes, yoga, or water safety workshops would ensure participants remain engaged and physically active even when swimming isn’t an option.

Looking ahead to 2025, SwimTrek holidays will persist in providing a potent combination of physical activity, mental relaxation, and emotional rejuvenation. Participants can select from a wide array of experiences in breathtaking open water settings, away from the pressures of daily life, which yield substantial mental health benefits for most attendees, aiding them in feeling more balanced and emotionally reinvigorated.

If you have additional feedback you wish to share with us regarding our trips, please send your emails directly to us: [email protected]