ints:wild_swimming

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ints:wild_swimming [2025/11/27 11:23] – [Wild swimming] asimongints:wild_swimming [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 'Wild' swimming is the only term that covers what we're talking about, really. It's not just 'swimming' because that includes indoor swimming pools; it's not 'outdoor swimming' because that includes lidos and outdoor pools; it's not 'swimming in rivers and lakes', because it also includes seas, oceans, lochs, pools, reservoirs, gravel & sand pits, old quarries, estuaries, firths, ponds, streams and anywhere else you can swim in nature - and then the name would be a bit too long. Wild swimming nails it. 'Wild' swimming is the only term that covers what we're talking about, really. It's not just 'swimming' because that includes indoor swimming pools; it's not 'outdoor swimming' because that includes lidos and outdoor pools; it's not 'swimming in rivers and lakes', because it also includes seas, oceans, lochs, pools, reservoirs, gravel & sand pits, old quarries, estuaries, firths, ponds, streams and anywhere else you can swim in nature - and then the name would be a bit too long. Wild swimming nails it.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-cove-2.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-cove-2.jpg }}
  
 In the early 20th century there were outdoor swimming clubs all over the UK, but they slowly died out as indoor pools were introduced, and our waterways became more polluted. Back then it didn't seem at all eccentric to swim in nature, as it still doesn't on the continent, where lakes often turn into lidos in summer. In the early 20th century there were outdoor swimming clubs all over the UK, but they slowly died out as indoor pools were introduced, and our waterways became more polluted. Back then it didn't seem at all eccentric to swim in nature, as it still doesn't on the continent, where lakes often turn into lidos in summer.
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 It was a different story in the UK as the 20th century progressed. Local authorities discouraged it, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents wanted it stopped (but not mountaineering, horse-riding or hang-gliding), the Environment Agency issued an annual warning not to do it, and the Health & Safety Executive insisted on a life-guard on inland swimming spots. It was a different story in the UK as the 20th century progressed. Local authorities discouraged it, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents wanted it stopped (but not mountaineering, horse-riding or hang-gliding), the Environment Agency issued an annual warning not to do it, and the Health & Safety Executive insisted on a life-guard on inland swimming spots.
  
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 Also, British water bodies are generally less polluted than they were 50 years ago, as manufacturing industries have been exported to the Far East. Whatever that means for the global environment or our economy, it means cleaner rivers, lakes and coastal seas in the UK, which is one of the reasons that wild swimming is taking off again - although agricultural runoff and sewage discharges are a problem, so it's best to [check the state of water bodies](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/water-pollution-uk-where-wild-swimming) before swimming in them. Also, British water bodies are generally less polluted than they were 50 years ago, as manufacturing industries have been exported to the Far East. Whatever that means for the global environment or our economy, it means cleaner rivers, lakes and coastal seas in the UK, which is one of the reasons that wild swimming is taking off again - although agricultural runoff and sewage discharges are a problem, so it's best to [check the state of water bodies](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/water-pollution-uk-where-wild-swimming) before swimming in them.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-cap-1.jpg) +{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-cap-1.jpg }}
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 ## What are the benefits of wild swimming? ## What are the benefits of wild swimming?
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 - It's free - you don't even need to buy any kit (unless you want to get a wetsuit for cold weather swimming). - It's free - you don't even need to buy any kit (unless you want to get a wetsuit for cold weather swimming).
  
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 ## What can I do? ## What can I do?
  
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 - However, there won't be life guards, and you may not be aware of hazards. Wild swimming is not completely risk-free, just like mountain climbing, canoeing or mountain biking. All you can do is try to understand the risks and not be reckless. - However, there won't be life guards, and you may not be aware of hazards. Wild swimming is not completely risk-free, just like mountain climbing, canoeing or mountain biking. All you can do is try to understand the risks and not be reckless.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-couple-1.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-couple-1.jpg }}
  
 - You may want to get a wet suit, as it keeps you warmer, which means you can stay in the water longer in cold weather, and it's safer as it makes you more buoyant. - You may want to get a wet suit, as it keeps you warmer, which means you can stay in the water longer in cold weather, and it's safer as it makes you more buoyant.
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 - [More safety advice](https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/category/features/survive/). - [More safety advice](https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/category/features/survive/).
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-walk-1.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-walk-1.jpg }}
  
 **Legalities** **Legalities**
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 In Scotland it's clear - you can swim anywhere. In England and Wales, it's much less clear, but it's certainly not illegal to swim in most open water. In Scotland it's clear - you can swim anywhere. In England and Wales, it's much less clear, but it's certainly not illegal to swim in most open water.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-group-1.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-group-1.jpg }}
  
 Landowners next to watercourses own some of the bed, and angling clubs own fishing rights - but no-one owns the water, and that's all you're touching, apart from getting in and out. So check that there's public access to your entry and exit points, and you should be OK. Landowners next to watercourses own some of the bed, and angling clubs own fishing rights - but no-one owns the water, and that's all you're touching, apart from getting in and out. So check that there's public access to your entry and exit points, and you should be OK.
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 - Just do it - it's not cold once you're in, and when you get out you feel tingly and warm all over. - Just do it - it's not cold once you're in, and when you get out you feel tingly and warm all over.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-yorkshire-1.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-yorkshire-1.jpg }}
  
 - Most of us have had a dip in the sea in summer, but if you've never swum in a lake or river before, it may feel weird at first - there might be mud squelching between your toes, water weeds brushing your legs, a duck floating past; but you'll get used to it. - Most of us have had a dip in the sea in summer, but if you've never swum in a lake or river before, it may feel weird at first - there might be mud squelching between your toes, water weeds brushing your legs, a duck floating past; but you'll get used to it.
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 Join the [Outdoor Swimming Society](http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/) or the [River & Lake Swimming Association](http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/) and help campaign for more access for wild swimmers. Join the [Outdoor Swimming Society](http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/) or the [River & Lake Swimming Association](http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/) and help campaign for more access for wild swimmers.
  
-![](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-dry-1.jpg)+{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-dry-1.jpg }}
  
 You can help wild swimmers even if you don't do it yourself, by: You can help wild swimmers even if you don't do it yourself, by:
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 - Not using garden chemicals either, as they will be washed into groundwater and eventually into watercourses. - Not using garden chemicals either, as they will be washed into groundwater and eventually into watercourses.
  
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  • Last modified: 2025/11/27 11:23
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