- According to new Google data, ‘wild swimming’ searches have increased over 100% in the UK amidst the heatwave
- On Pinterest, ‘Summer lake aesthetic’ searches have increased 180% in 2022
- Beauty Daily spoke to Simon Griffiths, the author of ‘Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 Days a Year’ for expert tips on wild swimming safety
- In a survey of 4500 swimmers at Outdoor Swimmer last year, 1 in 5 people said they’d started outdoor swimming in the previous 12 months, reinforcing the growth rate
As temperatures soar in the UK and across Europe, Beauty Daily explored the growing interest in wild swimming. Defined as swimming in any of nature’s watering holes, such as a lake, river, estuary or sea – findings reveal that ‘wild swimming’ searches have increased over 100% amidst the heatwave.
Pinterest users are also growing interested in swimming in freshwater, with baby boomers and Gen X’s driving this trend. The search term ‘summer lake aesthetic’ increased 180%, in addition to ‘small pontoon boats’ increasing by 90%*.
Also reinforcing this surge, Simon Griffiths, author of ‘Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 Days’ found in a survey of 4,500 swimmers conducted at Outdoor Swimmer last year, that 1 in 5 people said they’d started outdoor swimming in the previous 12 months. Whilst the heat is one thing, 21.5% of those that started wild swimming in the last year said they did so because pools were closed during the pandemic.
In addition to cooling down, swimming outdoors in nature also provides multiple health benefits. According to research, wild swimming increases blood flow, strengthens your immune system (having an anti-inflammatory effect), and increases endorphins, adrenaline, & serotonin production which reduces stress.
The most significant change Simon Griffiths has seen is the number of people who say they started for mental health benefits, with more than 20% of those who started in the last year citing this as the key reason “…We know that cold water immersion causes a surge in hormones, including dopamine, serotonin and beta-endorphins. These, in turn, are associated with an improved mood. There’s also the idea that regular exposure to the controlled stress of cold-water swimming trains us to handle stress better. Becoming a wild swimmer could therefore help you build resilience. In addition, wild swimming for many people is a social activity that often ends with a coffee and a chat, and we know that social connections are important for our wellbeing.”
How to assess the water quality
Knowing which bodies of water to swim in is important, to prevent exposure to harmful toxins or chemicals. If you Google ‘Swimfo,’ you get to this Environmental Agency link – that will show you areas of safe water quality. The agency states: “The Environment Agency assesses water quality at designated bathing water sites in England. From May to September, weekly assessments measure current water quality, and daily pollution risk forecasts are issued at several places. Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on measurements taken for four years.
However, they mainly monitor beach locations instead of smaller rivers and ponds.
Griffiths says “Good places to start are lifeguarded beaches and supervised outdoor swimming venues… As you know, the conditions will have been checked, and assistance will be on hand if you need help. Also, look where other people swim. There are many swimming groups on social media, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find one near you. But even if other people are swimming, you still need to assess your risk based on your experience and capabilities.“
How to wild swim for the first time
Taking the first tentative steps can be daunting, but Griffiths says, “Don’t just jump into cold water! This is especially important to first-timers who won’t have acclimatised. When our bodies hit the cold water, it triggers the cold water shock response, which causes a sharp intake of breath. This is potentially fatal if your face is in the water. The cold water shock response lasts about 1 to 2 minutes. The best way to get into cold water is, therefore, purposefully but not suddenly, and stay within your depth and with your head above water until your breathing is under control. You can swim safely in cold water, but you do need to be careful. Also, until you’ve gained some experience, keep your swims short.”
