Words by Bethany Allen

On our wild swimming journey we have discovered that there are lots of different types of swimmers. There are young swimmers, there are old swimmers, there are competitive swimmers and there are skinny dippers. For us it has been somewhat of a revelation to realise that although we share a unanimous love of water, the ways that we connect to it are decidedly unique. 

Each type of swimmer has their trademarks, and once you begin noticing them it’s possible to identify what swimming category they fall into. I’ve had a great deal of fun coming up with what trademarks to look out for and I hope that you have just as much fun identifying what category of swimmer you belong to. I have also added some ideas for groups to join in Cornwall that are best suited to each category which you can find on our Find Your Group page.

Let us know what category you fall into in the comments below, or perhaps you are a combination of categories? 

Whatever the result, one thing is certain and it’s that there are an incredible array of ways to connect to the water for us swimmers. And no matter what type of person you are – whether you would suit a quick hit of cold or a 2km race – there is a category of swimming that you will most likely fall into. 

Wild swimmers 

Wild swimmers are known to orientate their swim around rivers, lakes and ocean spaces that are hidden from the rest of the world. The hunt for remote locations surrounded by nature comprises a large part of the swimming ritual and there is a tangible focus on adventure. Far from the hustle and bustle of modern society, wild swimmers revel in the sense of peace and immersion in nature that comes from seeking out wild places. If you are lucky enough to stumble across one, you will probably find them bobbing serenely around their chosen spot and soaking up their natural surroundings – content in the knowledge that in this moment there is nowhere else they would rather be than in mother nature’s tranquil embrace.

GROUPS: 

Cornwall OWLS (Open Water Leisure Swimmers) - Organise regular swims and walks on Cornwall’s north coast.

Make your own group - Simply get some friends together and choose a “wild” swimming location near you.

Chilly dippers

Chilly dippers are obsessed with the cold. Often advocates for cold water therapy and fans of Wim Hof, the colder the water is the better. They will jump in the sea in nothing but a pair of shorts or a swimming costume all year round and they take pride in the knowledge that a considerable amount of people think that they are slightly insane. The chilly dippers are experts at overcoming cold water shock and will immerse themselves in water that would be considered on par with an ice bath. Unlike wild swimmers, they don’t tend to hang around and will only stay in long enough to reap the benefits of cold water immersion. Chilly dippers will often have an incredible sense of determination and resilience that stems from their ability to continually step outside their comfort zone. If you happen to meet one post swim in the depths of winter, you probably won’t be able to entice them into a conversation as they will stoically be preventing their teeth from chattering.  

GROUPS:

The Blue Tits - The Blue Tits hold organised swims throughout Cornwall and in other parts of the UK

Porthleven’s Salty Sisters - The Salty Sisters swim all year round come rain or shine

Chilly dippers - Swim all year from Falmouth

Open water swimmers

Open water swimmers are the easiest to identify. Unlike chilly dippers and wild swimmers who don’t reveal their swimming intentions until they are stripping off at the water’s edge – open water swimmers can be seen strutting down to the water in full lycra-style swim wetsuits with luminous swim hats, goggles and tow floats. They often move in groups of at least two, sometimes more and they will happily swim over 2km in one session. No breaststroke in sight – these swimmers crawl through the water utilising breath techniques that allow them to continue to swim over vast distances. Open water swimmers tend to be challenge orientated individuals who become infatuated with the idea of swimming as far as possible around sections of coastline. Often with a background in triathlons, these swimmers are focused on fitness – or on chasing the trance-like state of being that you enter when you swim front crawl in open water for long enough. 

GROUPS:

Mad Hatter – for experienced open water swimming, good if you want to train for triathlon events

SureSwimKernow – Provides lessons for all abilities from beginners to advanced open water swimmers

In the Wet Stuff – Provide open water swimming lessons 

Cornish Rock Tors - Adventurous open water swimming lessons and tours along the coastline

Porthpean Open Water Swimmers - For all swimming abilities

Looe Swimming Club - Swim training for triathlons

Pool Swimmers

Creatures of comfort, pool swimmers are not advocates for cold unruly places they’re here to swim – not freeze their nipples off. Similar to open water swimmers in the fact that they will cover great distances utilising front crawl, the difference is that these guys stick indoors. Pools provide a temperature regulated environment for swimmers to practice their strokes and to learn – usually this is where everyone begins before branching out into open water. You will often overhear pool swimmers discussing lane politics, such as who should be in the fast lane and who should not and that time when they accidentally arrived during “family hour”– every pool swimmer’s worst nightmare.

GROUPS:

Swim Wild Cornwall – Helping you to transition from a pool swimmer to an open water swimmer or simply to perfect your pool technique.

 Skinny dippers 

The rarest type of swimmer in the UK, the skinny dipper community is dwindling but we are doing our best to encourage more swimmers to embrace “swimming in skins” in its truest form and discover the freedom of swimming naked. Sometimes skinny dippers are simply other types of swimmers who are caught without their swimsuits however, they are also individuals who have a deep affinity with nature and want to connect to the environment in their most natural form. There’s a reason there are so many nudist beaches and that’s because it makes sense to be naked by the water. We shower and bathe naked in the comfort of our own homes but feel like we need a piece of fabric to separate us from the natural world when we are outdoors. The nudist community breaks down these barriers and likes to roam around in their natural state. They have no shame attached to their bodies and like the freedom of swimming without a stitch of clothing, if you want to feel totally free – skinny dipping is for you. 

Nudist beaches in Cornwall: 

• Sunny Cove in Falmouth

• Fishing cove – a nudist beach near Godrevy 

It’s also possible to skinny dip in other locations such as Cornwall’s many tidal pools, but to maintain your privacy we recommend going as early as you can before the rest of the world wakes up.

If you enjoyed this blog, why not sign up to our newsletter?

And if you know someone else who would enjoy it, please share it with them via email or social media.