Chilling Waves of Courage: A Community’s Resilience

Even in 2025, some brave swimmers made the New Year’s dive into the North Sea, undeterred by strong winds. Reports from the beach indicate that participation was lower than in past years, however.

Fortunately, the Christmas festivities experienced more favorable weather, with individuals partaking in organized wild swims along our coastline, stretching from Southend to the Wash. Both Hunstanton on Christmas Day and Aldeburgh on Boxing Day drew large crowds, with many aiming to raise funds for charitable causes.

If you savor a sauna, you can combine it with a sea plunge. Sauna Box offers sauna experiences in a horsebox, which is far more pleasant than it sounds! Sadly, there aren’t numerous locations available yet, but the business is growing. I must say, the sessions under the moonlight truly are spectacular.

Some do not wait for special occasions to take regular immersions in chilly waters. Until my troublesome knees made it increasingly challenging to stand up swiftly between waves, I used to swim in the sea frequently. Not as often as I desired, though, since I don’t reside on the coast. I did succeed in swimming at least once each month of the year, being most active during the coldest periods.

What’s the allure?

Unless you are an open water swimmer yourself, you might question the fascination. For me, it was the absolute delight of the entire experience. It’s hard to articulate because stepping into water at 4°C doesn’t seem appealing. I assure you, I’m not a masochist!

Once you push past the initial shock, it begins to feel wonderful. In addition to the sensation of the water, the lighting is distinct. Simply being near the sea works as an excellent remedy for my Seasonal Affective Disorder, likely because the light reflects, providing me with more of it, or perhaps because it lifts my mood significantly.

Fellow swimmers from the small group I joined attributed it to endorphins. Similar to any form of physical activity, swimming releases these brain chemicals. Beyond making you feel pleasant, they alleviate pain – so surely assist in minimizing thoughts about the coldness of the water.

I spoke to one of the instructors at our local swimming pool. Sally is a triathlete (it’s no surprise she really pushes us during aquarobics). For her, swimming is a crucial aspect of her training regimen, and she swims in the sea whenever possible.

For my neighbor Vivia, the sea serves as her happy haven. She doesn’t swim alongside a group but adheres to a structured routine for her swims. Before commencing, she checks the tide and sea conditions and is aware of the currents near Felixstowe. She sets off from beneath her beach hut and swims parallel to the shore with a specific target in mind. It sounds almost as much an intellectual pursuit as a physical endeavor.

Ensuring safety

If you’re curious about open water swimming, the Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) website offers valuable guidance, yet I take issue with their suggestion of swimming solo. Vivia is savvy and knows her capabilities. If you are just beginning, you could be exposing yourself to considerable danger.

Swimming with a group gives you valuable insights about local conditions, great company, and if it’s a really good group, a lookout. Having someone situated higher up the shore monitoring everyone ensures a swift alert if assistance is required.

There is a compilation of groups available on the OSS website – note that Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire groups fall under the South East category, while Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk are categorized in East Anglia. Additionally, there are other smaller groups typically not listed there, so inquire around. Certain groups consistently swim at the same time, usually during early mornings. Others are dictated by the tides, and swimmers in tidal rivers often choose to swim on the incoming tide.

You do not necessarily require a wetsuit to swim throughout the year, but it is advisable to wear neoprene gloves in colder conditions. The Santa hats worn by the festive swimmers serve an essential purpose – keeping your head warm is crucial. It may appear peculiar to see swimmers afloat in woolly hats, but as long as you keep your head above water, they effectively keep you warm.

Equipment for the chill

Warm attire for afterwards is crucial, yet there’s no need to purchase a specialized robe. While they are quite pleasant and can be worn anywhere, a substantial towelling robe will effectively do the job of drying you off.

Footwear suitable for the beach is advisable whenever you swim in open waters. Not only do they keep your feet warmer, but they also provide protection against cuts from pebbles. Cuts pose a greater risk for contaminant ingestion than swallowing the water itself – it’s typically possible to refrain from swallowing it.

Pollution has been highlighted in the news once again today. Indeed, it is a concern. Personally, I have never witnessed anything unpleasant, but it’s the unseen factors that are alarming. I did experience an upset stomach after swimming once, but I can’t definitively say the swim caused it.

Despite its name, Surfers Against Sewage oversee both inland waterways and the ocean. They have a no-cost app, which they utilize to create a real-time map of alerts. At the time this is being written, East Anglia is the region of England with the most positive ticks and least crosses, which is comforting.

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