Everyone hates being cold, right? Leaping into a baltic loch could sound like a living hell to some people. However, over the past few years, there’s been a surge in the popularity of wild swimming, especially among students.
The Outdoor Swimming Society conducted a survey revealing roughly 7.5 million people in the UK are plucking up the courage to take a dip in rivers, lochs, and the sea. In the same survey, the OSS asked wild swimmers their main reason for swimming. The overwhelming answer was joy, with over 90% of those surveyed swimming because it made them happier. The OSS has also linked the rise in popularity to the pandemic, the theory being that isolation made people crave connection even more, and they were able to find it out on the water.
My Swimming experience
I grew up living right beside the sea in the Scottish Highlands. I spent my childhood darting in and out of the water with my friends, mostly in wetsuits during the summer to try to stave off the cold. When I came to university, I joined the Polar Bear Club, Glasgow Uni’s wild swimming society. We swam all through winter, in nothing but a swimsuit. There was a feeling that came after a swim unlike anything I’d experienced before. I knew I wasn’t alone in this. There were groups of people doing it alongside me, and there had to be something making all of us come back for every outing.
Who are the polar bear club?
I spoke to members of the Polar Bear Club committee and asked them a few questions about their experiences with wild swimming. I asked Assistant Marketing Officer Zoë what made her want to join the club and start wild swimming. She explained that a big reason was wanting to get to know the area surrounding Glasgow, explore the countryside and nearby beaches, and meet like-minded people who also enjoy being outdoors.
ZoĂ«’s experience also echoed the findings of the OSS survey, particularly when she described the endorphin boost she gets after being in the water. In her own words, “I always feel so proud of myself for getting out there and getting in the water, even if it’s just for a minute.”
This really resonated with me, because it’s something I’d experienced too: that sense of pride and buzz you get from doing something difficult. And don’t let anyone tell you that wading into a freezing river in mid-January isn’t difficult.
To learn more about the Polar Bear Club itself, I spoke to Suki Fitzwilliam, the Co-Social Secretary. She told me the club has been running for around five years, which roughly lines up with the post-pandemic wild swimming boom. As of last year, the club had around 170 members, with an average of 30 to 50 people attending scheduled swims. On the low end, Suki said, turnout can sometimes drop to 10 to 20 people, depending on weather, deadline season, and distance to the swim spot. I still find it genuinely impressive that whatever the weather, there are always people turning up, proof of just how much members get out of it. Some of my favourite spots i’ve swum at with the club were Balloch (only 45 minute train journey from Glasgow!), Lochwinnoch and West Kilbride beach. If you fancy trying any of these the club does revisit some of the favourite spots.
Photos of group swims are on the club’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guwildswimsociety
saftey First
There are definitely some safety concerns when it comes to plunging into freezing water: shock, hypothermia, and the risk of drowning. Suki explained how the club manages these risks. In her own words, “Before each swim, committee will visit swim spots to ensure that they are hazard-free, as well as on the actual trip itself.” Suki also told me committee members educate all swimmers on hazards and risks to watch for, and are trained to recognise the signs of illness and cold water shock. During my swims with the club, I noticed how vigilant they were about everyone’s safety, including full briefings before anyone got in the water. Despite the risks, I always felt completely safe, if a little chilly.
Starting uni was a really big thing for me. First semester was tough. I struggled to find the confidence to go up to people and make friends. Wild swimming gave me the chance to build new friendships without any of the usual barriers between us. Everyone was being vulnerable together, standing shivering in our swimsuits, together.
the buzz
Through my research for this article, I found out that the buzz and sense of achievement you get after a swim is far from a unique experience. Maybe the appeal of wild swimming isn’t the swimming itself, but the feeling you create by doing something hard alongside a group of people with the same goal. You know the water will be cold, and you wade in anyway.
I had an amazing, safe time with the Polar Bear Club, and if you ever get the inkling to try it yourself, follow their instagram (linked above) and get stuck in!