What is wild swimming?
First and foremost it is the act of swimming outdoors, but it goes deeper than that. A wild swimmer is someone who actively seeks out wild places to swim, places where nature is all around you. In Cornwall we are lucky to have an abundance of these places but they can be found all over the UK and further afield.
Whilst some people’s definition of wild swimming only extends to natural bodies of water, we like to include tidal pools too. For us, any outdoor swimming experience where you are surrounded by nature and exposed to the elements counts as a wild swim.
Why wild swim?
It’s all about finding community, self-care and an affinity with nature through cold water.
Submerging your body in cold water provides numerous benefits to both our psychological and physical health, through reducing the bodies stress response. Studies also show that it boosts immunity, metabolism, fitness and circulation. This means that not only does it make us mentally and physically stronger, but also that the body feels less physical pain.
How to wild swim
In Cornwall, wild swimming is one of the most affordable and easy-to-access physical activities available. Once you arrive at your local swimming spot, it’s as simple as stripping off and jumping in.
To make things as easy and safe as possible, we’ve created A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall. In it, we include everything we’ve learnt from years of swimming and lifeguarding in Cornwall – including where to go, what to take, information on tides, parking, how to get there and inspiration for other things you can discover in the local area.
Safety First
Before entering the water, it is crucial that you do a risk assessment. For full details on how to swim responsibly, check out our Health & Safety guidance.
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