Key Stats
📍Location: Hampstead Heath Men’s Pond
🌡Water Temperature: 6.4°C
⏰️ Time in the water: ~4.5mins
The Story
Whilst paying £4.25 to swim in a pond feels like a painfully commercialised version of wild swimming, I am lucky to live near Hampstead Heath Ponds. It is certainly not the same as swimming in the sea off the Welsh coast or in a mountain stream in Scotland, however, if you live in London its an excellent way to get some consistent wild swimming in. I am excited to start making this my regular spot!
This year I’ve set myself the goal of going for a cold water swim every month of the year. I’m hoping that this will be beneficial for my body and mind. On top of this, I’m hoping that the consistency will allow me to be able to better withstand the cold temperatures in preparation for longer cold water swimming or any future winter expeditions.
🏊♂️ The Experience
Today was a cold one for sure, but it felt so good to start off the year right! Its arguably easier getting in via the ladder as opposed to wading into the sea. However, the drop of 2.5°C since my last swim was definitely noticeable. My feet were the first to succumb to the bone-aching pain of the cold. When I emerged from the water my skin was burning, my feet were in pain, yet I felt amazing. I felt like I had rerouted the year for the better, following the classic new years day hangover which had derailed my plans slightly. Its always surprising how such a simple and short experience can have such a big impact.
Wild Swimming Diaries
If I had access to do so, I would aim to swim in the sea every day and observe how the seasons’ change and my body adapts. I’m certain this routine would do wonders for my mental health and day-to-day life.
However, until that time comes, I will do my best to seek out as many opportunities to submerge into the cold wild waters. The Wild Swimming Diaries intend to be a place to keep this commitment in check and hold myself accountable.
If they motivate me to enter the water more and inspire at least one other to do the same then they will have been a success.
I will be posting these diary entries as short blog posts. They will aim to contain some consistent metrics as I document my swims throughout the year and as we continue through winter.
So make sure to follow for more wild swimming content!