wisw:wild_swimming

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wisw:wild_swimming [2026/01/02 20:52] – [What are the benefits of wild swimming?] asimongwisw:wild_swimming [2026/01/02 20:58] (current) – [What is wild swimming?] asimong
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-> "_My preference is swimming in the sea. I find the sea is more liberating, wild and good fun rather than plodding up and down a pool._" - Jo Brand, +> "My preference is swimming in the sea. I find the sea is more liberating, wild and good fun rather than plodding up and down a pool." — Jo Brand.
  
  
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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).
  
-{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-dive-1.jpg } +{{ http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/wild-swimming-dive-1.jpg }}
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 ## What can I do? ## What can I do?
  
-**Safety**+### Safety
  
 - Make sure you can swim well first; and if you are going to swim anywhere there might be boat traffic, it's a good idea to wear a brightly-coloured swimming hat, so that you can be seen. - Make sure you can swim well first; and if you are going to swim anywhere there might be boat traffic, it's a good idea to wear a brightly-coloured swimming hat, so that you can be seen.
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 {{ 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
  
 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.
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 The [Canal & River Trust](http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/) don't allow swimming in canals or rivers used for navigation. See the [River & Lake Swimming Association](http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/) for more info on legalities. The [Canal & River Trust](http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/) don't allow swimming in canals or rivers used for navigation. See the [River & Lake Swimming Association](http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/) for more info on legalities.
  
-**Practicalities**+### Practicalities
  
 - 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.
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 - Wetsuits often have a little zip pocket for your car key / valuables, so that you don't have to worry about your belongings. Don't try it with an electronic car key though! If you want to keep things dry, there are companies that sell waterproof belts and pouches etc. - Wetsuits often have a little zip pocket for your car key / valuables, so that you don't have to worry about your belongings. Don't try it with an electronic car key though! If you want to keep things dry, there are companies that sell waterproof belts and pouches etc.
  
-**Other things you can do**+### Other things you can do
  
 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.
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  • Last modified: 2026/01/02 20:52
  • by asimong