Cool off the right way: how and where to enjoy safe open water swimming
With seemingly no end in sight to the hot summer days in Britain, many of us are looking for different ways to cool off. In cities like London, open water venues have been a refuge from the sweltering weather. Over the past few summers I have found myself traveling all over the city and the rest of the UK, excited by the prospect of experiencing different bodies of water. I'm certainly not the only one; in recent years, participation in open water swimming has increased.
Swimming outdoors is not without risk, however, and every year we hear tragic stories of swimmers losing their lives after putting themselves in danger in open water. Avoiding such risks does not necessarily mean staying out of the water, but trying to understand the dangers and know how to mitigate the difficulties in order to enjoy the water safely.
Be preparedThere are a lot of elements to face in open water compared to the comfort of a swimming pool. Bodies of water can look inviting on warm days, but low temperatures can be a shock to the system, especially for inexperienced swimmers. Cold water can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so it's essential to enter slowly and focus on breathing.
Water quality is unfortunately a very real problem in the UK, with sewage leaking into the sea being a common occurrence, particularly after heavy rains. Before hitting the beach, always check the Surfers Against Sewage app for an up-to-date account of water quality across the UK.
Swim in supervised areasan accredited and supervised location is the best bet for first-time open water swimmers. Not only will there be trained professionals to supervise and assist you, but the staff will also guide you through an orientation before entering the water, so you know what to expect.
When swimming in the sea, choose a supervised beach and swim between the yellow and red flags. Always stay in your depths, swim parallel to the shore rather than further.
Swimming with someone is always a good idea , regardless of level. With the growing popularity of outdoor swimming, every month new groups seem to be popping up across the country, ranging from those focused on casual dips to more intense workouts. They come often also with inventive names, such as the
With seemingly no end in sight to the hot summer days in Britain, many of us are looking for different ways to cool off. In cities like London, open water venues have been a refuge from the sweltering weather. Over the past few summers I have found myself traveling all over the city and the rest of the UK, excited by the prospect of experiencing different bodies of water. I'm certainly not the only one; in recent years, participation in open water swimming has increased.
Swimming outdoors is not without risk, however, and every year we hear tragic stories of swimmers losing their lives after putting themselves in danger in open water. Avoiding such risks does not necessarily mean staying out of the water, but trying to understand the dangers and know how to mitigate the difficulties in order to enjoy the water safely.
Be preparedThere are a lot of elements to face in open water compared to the comfort of a swimming pool. Bodies of water can look inviting on warm days, but low temperatures can be a shock to the system, especially for inexperienced swimmers. Cold water can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so it's essential to enter slowly and focus on breathing.
Water quality is unfortunately a very real problem in the UK, with sewage leaking into the sea being a common occurrence, particularly after heavy rains. Before hitting the beach, always check the Surfers Against Sewage app for an up-to-date account of water quality across the UK.
Swim in supervised areasan accredited and supervised location is the best bet for first-time open water swimmers. Not only will there be trained professionals to supervise and assist you, but the staff will also guide you through an orientation before entering the water, so you know what to expect.
When swimming in the sea, choose a supervised beach and swim between the yellow and red flags. Always stay in your depths, swim parallel to the shore rather than further.
Swimming with someone is always a good idea , regardless of level. With the growing popularity of outdoor swimming, every month new groups seem to be popping up across the country, ranging from those focused on casual dips to more intense workouts. They come often also with inventive names, such as the
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