Wild Waters | Dipping Your Toe In

If wild swimming is on your could-do list for 2023, don’t just dive right in. You need to have been going regularly as the waters get colder through autumn, or the temperature may be too much of a shock. If you’re a newbie, instead of taking the plunge, start January by finding a swim buddy. Wild swimming is safer and more fun with two.

For January, a swim at Loughrigg Tarn in the Lake District is a great shout. It’s said to be one of the warmest lakes locally to swim in as no rivers feed into it, and a little path running alongside, plus a car park, make it really accessible for beginners.

Stay at the Three Shires Inn nearby (threeshiresinn.co.uk) or head there for a hot coffee to warm up after your swim.

In January the average sea temperature is 6.5° in Airth, and 10.7° in Torquay.

Wild Waters is a new regular slot on our Almanac pages. Find suggestions for wild swim locations, sea temperatures and more each month, alongside other seasonal things to note and notice,
plan and do.

More wild swimming inspiration…

More from our January issue…

My Plot | Natural born swimmers

Sarah and Will Murch dreamt of wild swimming in their garden. So they turned a disused patch into a tranquil pool, now a haven for wildlife a well as their family.

'Every time I visit the pool, I am blown away by its magic; it always surprises me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a dull day, windy or sunny – it is always beautiful and every time I swim, I am gobsmacked that we built this. The wildlife that is drawn to the garden is a big thing for me. Sitting by the water and seeing the swallows dip and the dragonflies hover is pretty amazing. It is also the place we all come together as a family – we are all drawn to the water. It is where we gravitate, it calms and revitalises, and not just when swimming in it but also by being beside it. It is a very special place.'

Turn to page 110 of September's The Simple Things for more on how Sarah and will created their pool.
 

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More from the September issue:

More outdoor inspiration:

Escape: How to read water

We can look at the same stretch of water every day and not see the same thing twice. How is it that bodies of water can change so much so often? Natural navigator Tristan Gooley solves some of the clues on streams and rivers 

• What happens to a river after lots of rain depends whether it is ‘flashy’ or not. If surrounded by impervious rocks and soils like clay then rain can go from sky to river in a matter of hours but if the surrounding rock is porous, like chalk or limestone, then it can be months before the water that collects in underground aquifers (natural reservoirs) reaches the river. The clue is in the bridges: those in flashy river country will be higher and have supporting pillars to avoid being swept away by floodwaters.
   
• Fancy a wild swim but don’t know the river well? Look for waterlillies, which are rooted to the bed; white ones like shallow, very slow and very clear water, so are more common in ponds but if you do see them on a river, you’re looking at pure, relatively undisturbed water no more than two metres deep. Yellow water lilies prefer deeper water (up to five metres) and will tolerate more flow. But neither can handle the turbulence boats create so they mean a river-traffic-free spot for a dip. 
   
• Deciding where to ford a stream or river can be a tricky business. Moss can help as it only grows well on stable rocks not being moved by the water whereas algae can spring up temporarily. The old saying holds true: “a rolling stone gathers no moss”. As well as showing you where to put your feet, moss is less slippery than algae. If you do fall into fast-moving water, point your legs downstream as soon as possible to avoid hitting your head on something.
   
• One of the loveliest things to see on a riverside walk is a kingfisher. Watch out for a branch or perch overlooking the river with white splashes on it. Kingfishers are territorial birds and once you’ve found its perch it’s just a matter of waiting before you see the bird itself. They are another sign that a river is in fine health.
   
• If you’re crossing a bridge with small children there will inevitably be a demand to play pooh sticks. Depending on whether you want to let them win or not, take note of the following: look down and you’ll see that water flows faster in the middle of the channel than at the sides where there is more friction. So the best tactic is to throw your stick as close to the middle as possible.

Tristan’s latest book is How To Read Water: Clues, signs and patterns from puddle to the sea (Sceptre) 

Read more from the July issue:

More Escape posts:

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Wild Swimming Italy

Discover the most beautiful rivers, lakes and waterfalls of Italy in Wild Swimming Italy.

The Wild Swimming series travels to Italy to explore freshwater lakes, rivers, waterfalls and hot springs.

• Dip in to the emerald-green plunge pools of Sicily and swim at river beaches in Campania • Discover the secret hot springs of Tuscany and amazing waterfalls of the Dolomiti • Explore the hidden shores of Lake Como and Garda

Perfect for family explorers or romantic adventurers, this stunning travel book combines beautiful photography with all the practical information you’ll need to get off the beaten track, including maps, directions, grid references and walk-in times. There are also recommendations for canoe trips, campsites and tavernas.

From the emerald streams of the Dolomites, to the azure colours of the Trentino lakes. From idyllic Tuscan hills with thermal pools to basalt gorges and valleys immersed in fragrant scrub, Wild Swimming Italy is a comprehensive guide to Italy’s wildest and most beautiful natural areas.

Buy your copy now.