Why Winter?

Believe it or not, I don’t particularly like feeling cold. I know, that sounds ridiculous given the business I run.

I don’t like that feeling of being cold to my bones, chilled for hours at a time. I’ll often be found snuggled under a blanket on my sofa, not because I’m being tight and not using my heating, just because I like feeling warm. So why oh why do I swim outdoors year round, even in the coldest of months?

Because I love the tingly, zing of cold water. The mind bending ability of outdoor water to snap my mind and body out of whatever fug or whirlwind it might be in at that time.

I like the speed with which the feel good hormones kick in. You know, the ones you get from a good workout, but this hit comes without the sweat and muscle aches.

I like the people. Sharing together in this seemingly ridiculous thing that is voluntarily plunging into the cold. The chat before, the chat as you get in, the “oh, it’s alright now I’ve gone numb”. The post swim kindness you see. Everyone, covertly keeping an eye on each other. Making sure the shiverers are OK, checking on the usually chatty ones if they’re quiet. Helping those you see are struggling to get their arm in a jumper or put their shoes on. The gentle, unsaid support of fellow swimmers, some of whom might have stood on shore and decided today wasn’t the day to get wet but come for the chat, the cake, the community anyway.

Then comes the warm up. Warm drinks, breakfast or cake. Sometimes something new to eat that gets shared round, recipe requested with great gusto. The clothes, piled on, layered, veritable Michelin man status. Oft with a hot water bottle or two secreted up a jumper. The skill of eating said breakfast or cake whilst wearing mittens or a glove or two. Squats, arms swings, post swim dancing all par for the course as we slowly rewarm.

People slowly peel away. Off for the rest of their days, back to families, work, home, bed. It doesn’t matter what each person “does”, the job they have, the commitments they need to go and fulfil. They’ve been together in this common water. Feeing the zing, supporting each other, sharing as much or as little of their lives as they need.

Yup, that’s why I swim year round. No bravado, no showing off, just respect for each other and the water. No judgement (and frankly if you do find yourself in that kind of space, my advice, run away as fast as you can 😉)