It’s Fine Once You Are In.. A Story on Finding the Magic of Cold Water Dipping – Wild Swimming Scotland

I asked my swim buddy to share with me his experience of cold water dipping and what I received was so beautifully written and so powerful I had to share..

 

When my health took a hit and I found I was unable to live life the way I used to, I cut myself

off from the world. Housebound, except when necessity demanded otherwise. Instead of

enjoying life, I just moved through it. Joint and muscular pain were my constant companion.

Many years later, I noticed on social media that a friend of mine was open water swimming

and I asked if I could join her. This was me trying to re-engage with the world around me,

finally. It turned out to be the best decision ever. So glad I reached out. In the house, packing

my bag, working through the checklist. Flask – Check, Towel – Check, Old shoes you don’t mind

getting wet – Check, Hot water bottle – Check. Thankfully, I remembered my swim shorts or

my first swim would have been a bit more revealing than planned.

 

She took me to Cauldshiels Loch. Once the puffing and panting from getting up the hill had

passed, the loch lay before me. The nerves kicked in. The little voice in my head was shouting

at me, “are you nuts? That water will be freezing! Go home, get back in the house with a

cuppa!”.

 

Thankfully, I didn’t listen. After a quick safety assessment and with the support from my

friend, I stepped into the water. I felt the coldness in my feet; it wasn’t so bad. I ventured

further in until my bits hit the water. Funny noises were made but, it wasn’t so bad. I kept

going until the water reached my belly and chest. My breathing changed, it became short and

sharp as the beginnings of cold-water shock were felt. I focused on my breathing and

controlled the cold until all was normal and it wasn’t so bad. Onward. My shoulders went

under and the final hurdle was overcome when I lifted my feet and the swimming started.

It wasn’t so bad. It was great. It brought back memories from my childhood where swimming

in the local rivers, the Ettrick, the Yarrow and the Tweed, was common during the summer

months. This felt profoundly different somehow. Being enveloped by the cool embrace of the

water was invigorating, exhilarating and calming all at the same time because, “It’s fine once

you’re in”. A saying you may hear quite often from lots of fellow swimmers.

 

I kept going, getting further away from shore. A borrowed tow float gently bumping the back

of my head due to the tail wind. Swimming along having a blether with my friend and, for the

first time in a long time, I started to feel part of the world again. Feeling great as the fish

jumped nearby and the local fowl swam elegantly past. After a while, I noticed something

wonderful, I wasn’t in pain anymore! Somehow, my aches and pains weren’t an issue. “How

the hell did that happen!?!?”. I felt even more alive. More connected. More…….me! Thankfully I

had found, again, a form of exercise I could actually do and enjoy. The euphoria surrounded

me, raising my happiness in a way I could never have imagined.

 

Alas, it was soon time to get out. This brought with it more good feelings. Getting the dry

clothes on and cracking open the flask for a nice, warming, drink. This time it was coffee. It

would change with future swims. From hot chocolate, to tea, to warm apple and blackcurrant

depending on how the mood took me. I even had a cheeky little biscuit and some other nibbles

sometimes.

 

Afterwards, standing on the shore, watching the water dance gently on the loch, feeling the

calmness, the contentment, the sense of achievement gained from leaving the house and

getting into the water. It may only have been my friend and I there for that first time, but it was

my first step on my open water journey as an adult and a step into a large wild swimming

community. A community that is so supportive, so friendly and so helpful. A community that

you can reach out to for advice and, so you don’t swim alone, swim buddies.

 

I was lucky. My friend knew the water we were about to swim in. She knew what advice to give.

What to look out for. Kept a watch over me even though she knew I was stronger and more

capable than her in the water. That support was invaluable. The waters we swim in may never

be the same twice.

 

To those who would like to try an open water swim, but may feel really nervous about starting

out, reach out. There are accredited open water swimmers in the community. Well trained and

experienced in water safety and are always happy to give introductory lessons to whomever

may need them. They will let you know how to assess the water in front of you, what to do if

something goes wrong. How to be safe and how to survive so you can keep enjoying the water.

Loch Skeen

Do it as a one on one, with your friends, as a team building exercise with work colleagues or

with your family. After all, making sure our children know how to stay safe in, and around, the

water is one of the most important decisions we will ever make. Going from that point, to join

social swims with likeminded nutters like you. Learning how others deal with the challenges.

Swimming together, laughing together. Making funny noises when the cold water hits.

 

Cauldshiels will forever more be my happy place. One of many as it turned out. The place

where my journey started. Since that first dook, I have been privileged to meet many like

minded people. Meeting swimmers with stories similar to mine. The excitement of finding

new places to swim and the anticipation of feeling the cold embrace almost palpable every

time.

 

When I think of the people I have met, it occurs to me that I have never met a grumpy open

water swimmer. Proof, if any was needed, that open water swimming is not only great for the

body, it is great for your very being. I have come to call many of these people a friend. I will be

forever grateful for the connectivity that the water encouraged and helped me to embrace.

 

I hope to see you all in the water. A smile, a hello and a joint understanding of everything that

is being accomplished and enjoyed.

 

After all, it isn’t so bad and it’s fine once you’re in!

 

A 55 year auld fat bald bloke (Shark Hat Guy) {Not My Words – His, I hasten to add and not the words I would have chosen to describe this always welcoming, helpful, caring, wonderful  man.}