Wild Swimming

Today the wind is funnelling down the valley. The trees are wiggling and the rain a horizontal fast-paced mist. I love walking in this weather. The forest tracks and trails are quiet of people and noisy of weather. The walk varies between sheltered moments like a breath being held, and being jerked sideways by the exhaled gusts.

Orchy needed a bath, so on the way back we visited the river. I waded into the eddy, protected by my welly. Orchy doesn't like these baths much, so I held onto him and gave him a good splash, enjoying the river water on my hands. Surprisingly, not too cold. After the dog jumped out and shook himself off, looking thoroughly unimpressed, I stood for a moment enjoying the feeling of the river friction against my boots and the elements on my face.

I'm not really one for New Years resolutions, but in the quiet moments I do ponder what aspirations I have, not necessarily for the year but more for the general future, and what changes I'd like to make. I would like to swim outside more.

Summer dips in North Wales

I've loved swimming outside for a long time, since before books were published on "wild swimming" and amazing social movements such as risefierce and The Outdoor Swimming Society. It was just something I loved to do. Growing up on the west coast of Scotland, I longed for summer swims with my Mum at the pebble beach below the house, sunset dips with my best friend on Scotland's most beautiful white sands (I may be a bit biased), and spontaneous dips in lochs after some sweaty walking. It's wonderful to see these new movements inspire others to enjoy our wild waters, and hopefully encourage us to do more to protect our water systems.

Snorkling on the west coast of Scotland. Photo by Seonaid Canning

So my aim is for my outdoor swimming to be less seasonal. To dip in a river even just for a minute on a rainy winter's day. To build resilience by, in time, foregoing the wetsuit and braving the cold in my fun Batoko swimsuit. One thing's for sure though: Orchy will be watching from the banks. 

Quiet corners of Snowdonia. Photo by Ben McKeown