Embracing Slow Swimming

Writer Georgie Duckworth dips her toe into a swimming event designed for those who like to take it slow

I’ve always wanted to join an open water swimming event but never quite had the courage. I’m a plodder – head above water, floating with the current kind of swimmer. Events with fast swimmers in sleek wetsuits, all that professional kit, and the concept of racing the clock are, quite frankly, terrifying. Then I saw an advert for ‘Slow Swimming… with cake’ and I wondered whether this might be the perfect thing for me.

Slow Swimming is a series of outdoor swimming events that welcomes a slower pace and more relaxed mindset. It began in 2013 when six people, including Slow Swimming founder Stuart Hamilton, enjoyed a swim and a picnic together in Dedham, Essex and decided to make it an annual occasion. Each year, more friends joined them and by 2016, there were 150 swimmers taking part. Stuart decided it was time to get organised and thus Slow Swimming was born. They now host six events across the summer each welcoming up to 500 people. 

The philosophy of slow swimming

For Stuart, Slow Swimming is about enjoying the experience of wild swimming. The events are not races, there are no timing chips or results sheets. Instead, these are social swims where people can choose their own pace and distance, chat as they go, notice how it feels to be in the water surrounded by nature, and eat cake. 

This sounded good to me and so, on a sunny Saturday morning, I arrived in Bradford on Avon with my husband and two children to join the first Slow Swim of the season. I was a little nervous at first, but we were greeted at registration with big smiles, colourfully-clad lifeguards and such a relaxed atmosphere that the nerves soon disappeared. 

Groups of chattering swimmers were beginning to congregate on the beautiful lawns at Barton Farm where the after-swim picnic and, most importantly, cake-eating would take place. There was a lot of bunting and some fantastically colourful swimsuits. This is an event that welcomes anyone who loves spending time in the water and I noticed that people of all ages were taking part, including children, who charged around excitedly in their wetsuits.

A staggered start

At 10.30, there was much applause and cheering as the first wave of swimmers set off with a swift front crawl. As with many events, start times are staggered to allow for different swim speeds. The ‘Seriously need more cake’ (aka speedy) group start first, followed after by the ‘Relaxed ‘cause we know where the cake’s hidden’, the ‘Enjoying the Journey’, and finally the ‘Pooh Sticks’ groups; the latter for those with inflatables, who like to float as well as swim. As with all things Slow Swimming, there was a very relaxed approach to these start times and people tended to wander down to the river to begin their swim when it best suited them.

The children and I held back to join the last wave of swimmers, accompanied by an array of pink flamingo and sparkly unicorn inflatables. There was a chorus of laughing, whooping and ‘oh my god that’s cold’, as we entered the water. The atmosphere was light-hearted, encouraging and fun, and we chatted to people as we set off downstream. My youngest son had been a little worried about the distance of the swim but, seeing so many other children, he felt reassured.

Getting into the rhythm of the river

The swim route was 1.6km; 800 metres downstream, before turning to swim back upriver at the midway pointer. For those wanting a shorter swim, there were multiple exit points along the river.

As we acclimatised to the temperature and found a gentle swimming rhythm, we began to take in our surroundings. This stretch of the River Avon is beautiful. My eldest noticed the dappled sunlight on the water, my youngest enjoyed watching the birds flying overhead. I noticed how peaceful it was. We swam a little, floated a little, talked together and to others around us. There were some fantastic swimming hats to admire including a shark, a tartan bonnet and a crocheted mermaid’s tail. At one point, my youngest, called out ‘I’m having fun!’ and was answered by someone nearby shouting ‘me too!’

A feast of cakes

Children and less confident swimmers are encouraged to exit the river at the halfway point rather than swimming back against the current. This seemed like a good idea to us so we swam over to the bank where a lifeguard was on hand to help us out. My husband, not one for cold water, greeted us with towels and congratulatory high fives.

The event ended with a giant picnic and feast of cakes. I fear the children had more than their fair share but, as they were repeatedly reminded by event staff, they’d earned it. Throughout the day, I was amazed by the sense of community. Speaking to fellow swimmers, some of whom had travelled hours to be there, I was told that this community spirit was Slow Swimming’s greatest appeal. ‘There’s nothing else like it,’ said one, ‘it’s a feeling that we’re all here together, doing something we love and having fun’…. ‘and eating cake!’ her friend cheerfully added.

Slow Swimming events 2024

• Cambridge, 6 July
  Grantchester to Sheep’s Green, Cambridge
• Norfolk, 27 July 
• Dedham Mill, 11 August
  Flatford Mill CO7 6UL, Essex
• Great East Skinny Dip, 7 September
  Martello Tower/Marine Parade West, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1XY
• Great South Skinny Dip, 14 September
  Knoll Beach, Studland Bay, Near Swanage, Dorset. BH19 3AQ

For more information on Slow Swimming visit slowswimming.org. Discover more swimming events here.