Wild and open water swimming has been a growing trend for a while now, and in the midst of the UK heatwave plenty more will be tempted to give it a try. New research has ranked each county for the provision and safety of of wild swimming spots and we've also looked at some of Nottinghamshire's best places to give it a try.
According to holiday booking site Snaptrip.com’s study, Google Trends data shows a 450% increase in people searching for ‘wild swimming’ in the past year. The analysis covered a range of different factors such as water quality, the number of lifeguarded beaches, wild swimming venues and open water events, to reveal the safest places in the UK for wild swimming.
The top five safest places in the UK for wild swimming are:
Northumberland
Cornwall (Inc. Isle of Scilly)
Devon
Dorset
Somerset
While Nottinghamshire ranked 63rd in the research, there are several spots where safe and enjoyable wild swimming is possible in the county.
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Spring Lakes
Spring Lakes in Long Eaton is a water sports haven, with an aqua park, wakeboarding, beach resort, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding all on offer - as well as open water swimming.
Their website says: "Whether you are new to open water swimming, a casual swimmer or a pro, Spring Lakes is the perfect place for you. Come down and take a dip in our beautifully clear, spring fed water. Swim into lake 2 during the warmer months and float away from everyday stress."
You need to book a slot in advance for £5, or you can buy a £40 multi-pass for 10 swims. Wetsuits are available to hire on-site - and you can even swim with your dog. Find out more.
Colwick Lake
Colwick Lake in Nottingham is owned and maintained by the city council, and open water sessions are organised by the Whole Health membership group. Their website says: "Whole Health runs safe, supported open water swim sessions for our members at the City Council-owned Colwick Lake in Nottingham.
"We pride ourselves on our professional, attentive, inclusive sessions, at which all are welcome."
You can 'try before you buy' by paying £10 for a one-off swim at one of the Whole Health sessions. For Open Water Swim members, swim sessions are £6. There are sessions every day except Mondays, you can see the full timetable and more details here.
Notts County Sailing Club
Love Open Water run sessions at the Notts County Sailing Club near Hoveringham. Their website says: "There is a 100m and 500m loop available at Hoveringham Lake.
"Loops available are dependent on weather conditions and will be determined by the Venue/Duty Manager at the beginning of the session to ensure swimmer safety. Make sure you ask which loops are operating when you check-in for your swim and familiarize yourself with the course and direction, before you enter the water."
You need to download the ACTiO app, set up and pay for your NOWCA membership (£15 per year) and then select Nottingham to book your swim (£6.50 per swim) where you will see a full timetable.
Open water swimming advice
Following the research, SnapTrip.com partnered with a number of wild swimmers across the UK to unveil some valuable insider knowledge and tips. Experts noted that those looking to start wild swimming should do so in the summer, before working their way up to swimming in the colder months.
Additionally, investing in the right kit is a must, with many experts stating that things like dry robes, wetsuit boots and tow-floats are a necessity to stay safe and comfortable.
Matt Fox, CEO and co-founder of the Snaptrip Group, said: "Wild swimming is a pastime that has become very popular over the past few years, but with risks such as poor water quality and swimming incidents making the headlines, we wanted to find out where people can go to try out the sport safely. As a travel company we want to encourage people to go on an adventure but make sure they stay safe at the same time.
"After speaking to the experts as part of this study, there are clearly many benefits to wild swimming, such as improved mental health, better circulation and being part of a social community. We hope that our data and tips from the experts will not only further aid those who have already taken the plunge but also help beginners try wild swimming safely, comfortably and in the best locations possible."
Safety tips for wild swimming:
- Always go with at least one other person to ensure you have a safe swim. For additional help and support, wild swimming communities are a great way for beginners to test the waters
- Know your spot. Whether you use an app to help you, do your own research or follow the advice of others, never jump in blind as you never know what the water could be like or what may be just beneath the surface.
- Have at least a basic swim kit to get you started. Experts recommend a bright tow-float (to hold your belongings but also make you visible to other people in the water), wetsuit boots to protect your feet, and a dry robe as the top items to add to your list.
- Make smart decisions as opposed to jumping in the deep end. For example, swim upstream first so the return to shore is easier when you’re tired, start in the summer so you can acclimatise to the cold water gradually, organise your clothes before you swim so you don’t have to turn your socks inside out with frozen fingers.
- Avoid swimming in rivers for a couple of days after heavy rain to allow the water time to clear and help you avoid nasty stomach bugs (swimming in muddy water or water that is contaminated after rainfall is a no go).
