Cold Water Swimming

Brave the chill with tales, tips, and techniques for embracing the exhilarating world of cold water swimming.

A guide to water temperature

Swimmers have widely differing opinions about comfortable water temperatures and people’s bodies respond differently
Best changing robes 2023: tried and tested by outdoor swimming experts

With autumn water temperatures approaching, now is a good time to invest in or update your changing robe. Our outdoor…
It’s time to start preparing for winter swimming

The easiest way to acclimatise to winter swimming is to start in the summer swim outside regularly through autumn.
World’s End Swimmers

Cold water and feminine strength, photographer Ana Elisa Sotelo captures the world’s southernmost swimmers. By Rowan Clarke.
New study dips into the world of cold-water swimmers

A short film captures the journey of students and cold-water swimmers collaborating on a research project testing the saliva of…
Ice magic: freediving under ice

Addictive, ridiculously dangerous and pure magic: Amber Fillary on her love affair with freediving under the ice.
Swimmers converge on Lake Bled for the IWSA World Championships

A winter swimming event held in Slovenia’s picture-perfect Lake Bled: Simon Griffiths reports from the 13th IWSA World Championships.
5th International Ice Swimming Association World Championships in Samoëns

In beautiful Samoëns, 500 swimmers from 42 countries descended for the 5th International Ice Swimming Association World Championships (IISAWC). An…
How to do an Ice Mile

Michelle Lane completed an ice mile in February 2023, after 3 years of training and waiting. She shares her experience…
A Highland fling at SwimWild’s WinterFest

Author and wild swimmer Emma Simpson persuaded her husband to join her for a long weekend in the Scottish Highlands…
Event review: Ice Swim in Morocco

Monkeys, dancing and medals make for a memorable ice swimming adventure. Jonathan Cowie and Ella Foote take part in this…
Spring forward, fall back, swim all year

Ella Foote chats to Welsh swimmer Tom Boswell about his ambition to swim 365 days consecutively to raise money for…
Training for a winter swimming event

Jonathan Cowie shares guidance for how to prepare for a winter swimming event, including cold-water acclimatization and stroke technique.
Does swearing help in cold water?

Do you turn the air blue when you swim in cold water? Studies reveal that swearing can actually help relieve…
IISA 5th World Championships: Team Ireland report

Team Ireland sent 34 swimmers to the fifth edition of the International Ice Swimming Association World Championships.
IISA 5th World Championships: Team GB Report

The fifth world championships of the International Ice Swimming Association took place in Samoëns, France, between 12 and 15 January…
A letter from Ram Barkai, IISA Founder and Chair

IISA Founder and Chair, Ram Barkai looks back on the successes of the Fifth World Championship held in Samoëns, France…
Pre- and post-swim rituals for cold-water swimming

For a safe and enjoyable cold water swimming experience, it's helpful to establish some pre- and post-swim rituals. Jonathan Cowie…
What happens to your body when you go cold-water swimming?

Cold-water enthusiast Jonathan Cowie talks to Dr Susanna Søberg about what happens to your body when you go cold-water swimming,…
Ice Mile Extreme

After a three-year delay Becca Harvey conquered an ice mile swim in Loch Insh, Scotland. A film has documented her…
Don’t Panic About SIPE

Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema is a risk swimmers should be aware of. It's not a reason to stop swimming.
Should you stay in cold water for one minute per degree of water temperature?

‘One minute per degree’ is a rule often touted among cold-water swimmers, but is it a reliable guideline? Heather Massey…
How to avoid ear infections while swimming

Why the smallest bit of swim kit is the most important for preventing ear infections Swimming costume, goggles, hat, towel……
New Year’s Day Dips 2023

What better way to celebrate the start of 2023 than with a refreshing New Year's Day Dip?
From Fire to Ice: Ram Barkai (Book Review)

The story behind a man’s obsession with cold water swimming Ram Barkai grew up on a kibbutz in Israel, built…