Swimming in the sea…It’s good for you…Isn’t it??

Like many people over the last couple of years, being largely couped up and slightly reticent to return to socialising/networking on a regular basis, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to get out and try something different.

I have always regarded the idea of entering the sea to swim for fun as complete lunacy, particularly at this time of year, when it’s ridiculously cold even standing on the beach watching the waves gently breaking on the shore. For me, the only acceptable exception is during the summer as a small child, or preferably in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean or Caribbean!

Fast forward then to January 2022 and after realising that several of my friends and work acquaintances take the plunge on a regular basis, and swear that it’s good for them, yours truly has decided to find out what all the fuss is about.

After initiating some light research into what my friends find so appealing, the most apparent common denominator was that sea swimming is a great way to begin your day. “It makes me feel great, kick starts the system and gives me a massive adrenaline shot in the morning.” Others offered that it’s a great booster for your immune system, helps with aching limbs as a form of pain relief, builds resilience and provides a sense of freedom – “it’s the most energising thing I’ve ever done.” However, despite my heart and my head telling me it would be a lot easier to have a cold shower, the overriding factor to support this seemingly insane idea of getting up early to go swimming in the freezing cold English Channel is that it’s excellent for your mental health. I for one, need this boost and undoubtedly, we could all probably do with a lift in one form or another.

Encouraged by additional comments that it’s also a great stress reducer, helps with sleep and enables you to feel like you can take on anything that life throws at you, I set the date and time for my debut dip.

However, there still remained the small matter of establishing the best advice then for a newbie like me, i.e., what to wear and how to prepare for what was increasingly likely to be a huge shock to my body!! After all, it was going to be bloody cold and there’s no lifeguard!

Firstly, the gear then; with the advice that you need to protect your extremities, I hastily ordered a rather snug fitting swimming cap that makes me look like I’ve been subjected to a rather shoddy facelift, neoprene swimming boots/socks and gloves, a flask for a hot drink and plenty of warm clothing. (It was recommended that the game changer is a dry robe…but at £100 plus I held fire for now – after all I might hate it!).

Additionally, it was recommended that I partake of a brief cold shower every morning to train for the inevitable shock to the system heading my way! If that was anything to go by, I was certainly going to be squealing like a baby! 

Further crucial tips included letting someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back, though the stronger advice was to not go alone.  Also, to keep an eye out for hazards, don’t go too far from the shore to avoid being disorientated, know the area and be aware of what the tides are doing.

The last piece of advice was one that, when it came to taking the dip, I wish I’d taken more notice of! Namely, build up your resilience, starting with no more than three to four minutes in the water on my first visit.   

The day of reckoning arrived, and I’d agreed to join my good friend, Guy Lloyd (who’s been sea swimming for three years) on Brighton beach just off Madeira Drive at 6.45am. It was dark, with a stunning sunrise appearing on the horizon, however what surprised me was how many other people there were, in various groups or on their own doing the same thing – I counted at least fifteen! Guy was late and already being nervous, I decided to brave it on my own. Stripped off and donning the appropriate protection, I took my first few careful steps…when a freezing wave nearly sent me flying! I simply decided to get on with it, dived in, swam around for about a minute or two and began to get out just as Guy appeared. I went back in with him for a few more minutes and then started to come out again. Feeling like it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, I happily returned to the water, again for another two. BIG MISTAKE! I definitely should have stayed out after the second visit because what ensued was a delayed reaction from my body!

Whilst hastily attempting to get dressed, I encountered uncontrollable shaking and shivering, fell over on the stones trying to take my wet boots off and found it so incredibly cold that I could hardly get my flask open to imbibe a much-needed hot drink! If you’ve ever attempted this when you’re freezing cold, (being tall and skinny) picture a giraffe with the DT’s, juggling!!

Eventually, with layers of clothing back in place, and teeth continually chattering away like a crazed monkey, I made my way to the car and sat there with the heater on full blast at twenty-seven degrees for at least half an hour!

So, how did I feel? My overriding emotion was one of being invigorated with a great sense of release (I hope that wasn’t as a consequence of losing bowl control!?) …will I do it again? Absolutely, just allow me a couple of days to recover and next time I won’t stay in so long!   

Special thanks for their advice and contributions go to Ellie Talebian, Guy Lloyd, Lisa Ollerton and James Johnson.