Open water swimming

[MEZZA]

Does anybody else do it ?

I’ve been swimming for the past couple of years 3 -4 times a week but recently took this up as well once a week and have fallen head over heals in love with it - such a sense of freedom and what a boost to my mood
I must point out Im no triathlete like the others I go with but they have all been so welcoming and helpful - if anyone’s thinking about it do it sets so worth it for how I feel having just got back after tonight’s swim

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

No, but my Sister does. She took it up when she moved to Plymouth, she enjoyed it so much she ended up on the British Ice Swimming team and then swimming the channel. It's still her goal to do a 'there and back' channel swim before she retires from it.

[katiec68]

I have done but not recently.

I started while triathlon training and would do a 2hr round trip to swim in the lake before I started a late turn!

I love it and although I have been doing other sports recently Im thinking of heading back to triathlon for next year so it'll be back in the open for me!

Mind you it wasn't easy - I could easily do a mile in the pool but couldn't manage 100mts in the lake

Took me a couple of lessons but I got there and loved it!

[Tinkerbell]

Coincidentally, I have just finished reading a paper about the benefits of open water swimming on depression.

Quick link here from last year

bbc/news/health-45487187

[Minnie18]

Hi, me and dd do it. We live up in the rural Highlands and its mind blowing to just jump in a loch/river/burn at anytime and swim away..

At a risk of sounding mad, you really do feel free and at one with the world. As a plus its all £ and chemical free.

[ljbojangles]

Ive just started - got frustrated that the local swimming pools were always closed when I wanted to swim and then thought stuff this, I live on an Island and now I go in the sea! I love it! Its so much more interesting than back and forth in a pool. The downside is the jellyfish stings!

[MEZZA]

Just woken after a good 8hours sleep another benefit
I live inner city Birmingham so to find this pool 3 miles away with a group of people all swimming has just been so good
Here’s a photo of last night

[Disneydreamer91]

I have a massive fear of open water, I swim twice a week in the pool but won't even go near the sea on holiday!

[Brave5]

We are huge fans of open water swimming! We swim everywhere and two of my boys do open water competitions (and I'm an open water official).

Glad you are loving it!

₩

[RickT]

My friend loved it, he had open watered swam many places world wide including South America, India, Thailand to name a few, however sadly 2 years ago while going for a morning swim in Eastern Europe lake which is used for triathlons and classed as safe water (while his girlfriend was sat sunbathing at the edge like always) he got into difficulty and unfortunately didn't return. He was found 24 hours later by the search and rescue. Cause of death drowning. Age 43

Stay safe out there.