
January in the swim community
NOWCA reminds winter dippers to swim safely with the help of their handy app, and Mental Health Swims is on the lookout for new swim hosts. Stay up to date with our outdoor swimming community news for January 2025.
NOWCA: Staying safe with the NOWCA Wild App, a must-have for wild swimmers

Wild swimming is a thrilling way to connect with nature – but it can also be unpredictable. Preparation is key, especially when things don’t go as planned. That’s where the new NOWCA Wild app comes in, designed to help swimmers enjoy open water more safely and confidently.
The app offers vital tools for planning your swim, starting with geo-location features that help you find nearby swim spots and groups. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just starting out, the app connects you with a community of like-minded swimmers and offers shared expertise.
Unexpected situations, such as changes in weather or fatigue, can happen – especially in winter when conditions can change quickly. The app helps mitigate risks with its safety features. It includes a swim tracking function and enables you to set safety notifications to alert others about your swim.
Members are also covered by insurance, giving you extra peace of mind should any accidents occur during your swim. Plus, the app includes resources on cold water acclimatisation, first aid tips, and best practices for wild swimming.
With the NOWCA Wild app, swimmers can stay safe, prepared, and informed. It’s not just about making wild swimming enjoyable; it’s about making it safe for everyone.
NOWCA Wild is free to download for iOS and Android: nowcawild.co.uk
Mental Health Swims: Would you like to be a Volunteer Swim Host?

Are you a kind, empathetic human who is passionate about making safe and welcoming spaces for people who live with mental health challenges? Would you be kind and welcoming to everybody of all body shapes, ages, sexualities, genders, skin colours and backgrounds?
If you’d like to help others and do something new in 2025, why not apply to be a Mental Health Swims Volunteer Swim Host? If you’re able to commit to completing the training which is around 5 -6 hours long (online) and if you can spare a day a month to host a dip as well as promote your meet up in your local area, then we would love to hear from you.
One of our aims is for mental health issues to be talked about more openly. We want to build empathy and understanding around mental health within communities so that people never feel alienated or alone. In our journey so far, we have recruited fantastic hosts who have put in a lot of hard work and created something truly special in their local communities. We create welcoming spaces based on a peer support model where participants can show up as they are and share as little or as much as they like about their experiences, all whilst enjoying a shared love of the water.
If you’d like to find out more about our application process and training, contact the team at hello@mentalhealthswims.co.uk

