Cold Water Swimming
Brave the chill with tales, tips, and techniques for embracing the exhilarating world of cold water swimming. We recommend beginners read this article on the benefits and risks of cold water swimming.
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New cold-water swimming retreat in the Lake District
Rothay Manor, a boutique hotel in Ambleside, is launching a new series of cold-water swimming retreats this winter, focusing on…
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Is cold water harder to swim in because it’s ‘thicker’?
As water cools, it becomes both more dense and more viscous but are those the reasons it's harder to swim…
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What does it take to swim an ice mile?
If you’ve ever seen a swimmer at the end of their ice mile, you’ll appreciate what an incredible feat of…
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Cold water swimming: a healthy habit
Dipping and swimming in cold water is increasingly being touted as good for health. But what does the science say?
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The benefits of ice baths
Rowan Clarke finds out why so many swimmers sit in backyard baths, barrels and tubs full of icy water
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How to ditch your wetsuit for winter swimming
"For a 10-minute winter swim, I'm not sure wearing a wetsuit is worth it. What do you think?" Simon Griffiths…
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Swim support you can trust
Are they qualified? What experience do they have? In this growing world of outdoor swimming, we share some advice for…
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Will you Awaken Your Blue Mind this winter?
The Awaken Your Blue Mind challenge is to complete 21 water-based activities over the winter months, from when the clocks…
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Warm boots for outdoor swimmers
Insulating, easy to slip on and grippy on muddy riverbanks: keep your feet toasty in our pick of the best…
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A guide to water temperature
Swimmers have widely differing opinions about comfortable water temperatures and people’s bodies respond differently
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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.
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World’s End Swimmers
Cold water and feminine strength, photographer Ana Elisa Sotelo captures the world’s southernmost swimmers. By Rowan Clarke.
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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…
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Ice magic: freediving under ice
Addictive, ridiculously dangerous and pure magic: Amber Fillary on her love affair with freediving under the ice.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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IISA 5th World Championships: Team Ireland report
Team Ireland sent 34 swimmers to the fifth edition of the International Ice Swimming Association World Championships.
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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…
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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…
