Taking a dip in the sea in the middle of a Welsh winter when it is minus degrees on land, never mind in the water, is not for everyone.
It is not for the faint-hearted, but it doesn't stop thousands taking a dip as wild swimming is a pastime steadily growing in popularity, and since the first lockdown the number of people taking part has increased steadily across Wales.
There are a wide range of reasons why people are taking to the water. Plunging into the cold water is as much a mental as a physical pastime and there are clearly many people who believe the activity can be beneficial for a range of health problems, especially depression.
When you speak to people about why they do it, tales of making new friends and taking on a different challenges are included in the reasons.
There has also been scientific research that has found that proximity to the sea can have a positive impact on depression scores for older people.
The current restrictions in Wales means that you can only take exercise if you are able to walk or cycle from your home and you can't meet with others, but outdoor swimming is still an essential part of the lives of people who are able to.
Sian Ellen Richardson was brought up on a farm above a beach in Pembrokeshire and always swam outdoors but she wanted to share her love of swimming with others, so she ditched her wetsuit, put on her swimsuit and set up The Bluetits skin swimming organisation in 2014.
It has grown so much that there are now 90 groups around the world and, in September last year, the organisation became a social enterprise, now officially called The Bluetits Chill Swimmers Ltd.
The group's core values states: "A Bluetit swim is a space in which we are all free to embrace a bit of silliness and reconnect with our inner, sometimes slightly naughty, child. From silly hats to naughty jokes and everything in between, we do this because it is fun!"
Sain explains: "I started swimming merely to see how it would be swimming through the winter months in the sea in a swimsuit. We have seen a massive increase in groups being set up during the last 10 months.
"We now have 90 groups around the world, compared to around 20 at the same point last year.
"I have always swum outdoors, since I was a child, as I have always lived on a farm above a beach in Pembrokeshire.
"As an adult I was usually clad in neoprene, however in 2014 did I ditch the wetsuit."
She has watched as the group has expanded and others have formed around the world.
Sian says: "The Bluetits are not just a skin swimming organisation. It all started by me swimming in the winter in a suit, but as we grew as an organisation we realised for many the mere act of getting onto open water was a challenge, so what they wore was neither there or there.
"We encourage and support our members to enjoy the water with like-minded souls wearing whatever they choose that makes them happy."
She adds: "We have a saying on a swim – ‘What happens in the water, stays in the water’.
"If someone lets rip about their partner leaving the washing up this morning, or needs a good cry because the world is getting them down, there is an understanding that it remains within the circle of trust.
"This unwritten rule has been with us since the start, and that basis of trust remains in every relationship and bond within the Bluetits. We are about more than swimming. We are a group of friends that spans continents."
In Cardiff, Chris Kelly set up a group called the Taffy Dippers during the first lockdown and it already has more than 3,100 members who regularly share pictures of their adventures.
He has been open water swimming for the past six years but during lockdown in March wanted to find out if others were interested.
"It started six years ago when my partner and Lucy were travelling around Wales in our camper van," explains musician and music teacher Chris. "We did a lot of walking and would also see rivers and streams and thought it would be lovely to jump in, and one day that was what we did.
"It was amazing. You really see the world around you in a different perspective and the health benefits if you do it properly are immense. It is great for your mental health and general health."
When the first lockdown happened Chris saw his work as a musician slow down and he started going swimming as much as possible for routine and a way of getting exercise.
"It was crazy swimming in the Taff and watching the herons and the Kingfishers," he said. "We had a look around for swim groups but couldn't really find any so decided to start a Facebook group and called it the Taffy Dippers. Within the first week we had 500 members, that quickly grew to 1,000 and by the end of July we had more than 3,000 from all over Wales.
"The feedback has been amazing with people saying it has been great for people's mental health and it is lovely to hear about the friendships that have been made.
"Around half the people who have joined have never done wild swimming before and now they can't get enough of it."
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Over the summer the group would have regular, socially distanced meet ups at safe spots along the River Taff and also had regular sessions at the Canada Lodge complex on he outskirts of Cardiff until the most recent lockdown was announced on December 20.
Chris admits that the group is mainly women and believes that might be because they are more "tolerant", and that it is men who tend to wear wetsuits.
"The most important thing is that people are enjoying the challenge," he says. "It is not a competition, it is about being together, being safe, having fun and helping each other out."
