‘Plunging is the ultimate tonic': the invigorating power of cold-water swimming

The Guardian

24-02-2025

This winter has felt gloomier than ever in the UK, thanks to the current state of the world and the consistently grey, murky weather. But if you head to your nearest body of water – whether that's a river, lake, pond or sea – you will find colour, community and a flurry of joy at the water's edge.
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Yes, it's cold. Yes, it's a bit risky. And yes, it is a little odd at times, but winter swimming, dipping or plunging is the ultimate tonic. It's also believed to be good for us.
I first started winter swimming more than a decade ago because I was lonely in the darker months. I already loved the open-water swimming community and was a committed May-September swimmer, but each autumn I would ache for adventure in the water. Winter swimming isn't anything new, but it's something that has grown significantly over the past five years, and while I was once the 'mad' lone swimmer in my local river, I am now one of many.
And as interest in the activity grows, so does the amount of swimwear and kit you can buy.
There have been some impressive developments in cold-water swimsuits. No swimsuit will take away the piercing cold against the skin (and nor do we want it to – that's a huge part of the thrill), but some do a great job of helping us stay in the water for longer. When I tested seven of this new breed of cold-water swimsuits for the Filter, I found that some helped me swim two to three times longer than usual, and recover more quickly after swimming. Some suits are more of a clever twist on a traditional swimsuit – like the M&S Scuba – while others are significantly better for cold-water swimming, such as Finisterre's Nieuwland.
How did I test them? Easy – I dived into my local swim spot. I tested each suit in similar weather conditions and water temperatures, but no swim is the same, especially in winter: if the sun is out, it can feel warmer even if there's a frost on the ground.
As a rule, more fabric against your skin can actually make you feel colder if it's wet, but with technical fabrics and considered design, cold-water swimsuits are well worth the money for regulars in the water. Look for features such as a silver lining and long-sleeved designs in thicker Yulex, a natural rubber alternative to neoprene, especially in the UK where the water rarely rises above 18C, even in summer.
When it comes to other kit, whether tow floats or hats, what you need changes through the seasons. In winter, your body continues to cool even when you've left the water, so having a flask of tea, some decent base layers and a warm coat or robe will really help.
Outdoor swimming purists will claim that all this kit is just clever marketing and you don't need much more than a suit, towel and carrier bag. But some developments in performance swimwear and kit have been designed or even invented by swimmers, so they can often solve a problem. I've put together a guide to all the cold-water swimming kit that could genuinely help.
Whether you're a regular cool swimmer or considering dipping your toe into icy waters for the first time, no other activity forces you away from the world so successfully. And if you go prepared, it usually adds to the joy.
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