Introduction to Wild Swimming

Have you been wanting to have a go at wild swimming but don't know how to get started safely?

Are you keen to give it a go but are feeling abit nervous?

Would you like to join the wild swim community but don't have any pals to dip with?

Getting into cold water for the first time can feel very daunting so join Ingrid Campbell an experienced, qualified and insured wild swim guide to help support you into the water. Our bodies are more resilient than we think and with the right technique, clarity of choice and good support getting into cold water can be a wonderful empowering experience.

This session is very much about how to get into the water safely and how to warm up again, it is not about swimming any distance.

After the swim we will share a kelly kettle wild foraged herbal tea and homemade 'shivery bites'.

Bring a swim suit, a towel and some shoes to wear into the water to protect your feet, water shoes or old trainers are great. Wetsuits are also welcome.

Plenty of warm layers and a woolly hat for afterwards, even if it is a warm day, Please bring at least one more layer than you think you will need and a windproof top layer.

Depending on the conditions we may use towfloats but I will supply these.

After meeting each other in the car park we will walk across the park our swim location together.

At the water's edge we will share any concerns about getting into cold water and discuss what is happening in the body when we immerse ourselves in the cold. We will cover why it is important to enter the water slowly, how we will get in safely and what is important to know about getting warm again.

We will then get changed, organise all our clothes for our exit and then, together, will enter the water taking our time, using our breath and each other to support us to get in.

Once settled in the water we may have a short swim, tread water and chat or have a go at the calming effect of sitting on the bottom.

On our exit, once we are dry and fully clothed, we will share a wild foraged herbal tea made using a kelly kettle and homemade 'shivery bites' and cover other important safety concerns, such as where to swim and think about some next steps.

This is a great preparation for joining any of Tweed Valley Wilding's other wild swim sessions this year.