Why Would You Choose Winter Swimming?
As insane as it sounds, there are those who choose to enjoy a spot of outdoor swimming in spite of there being plenty of indoor pools available.
Why? I hear you scream.
Well, while the actual reasoning may be unclear, I can take you through my brief attempts at justification here.
Bonkers Bog Snorkelling
Yes, unfortunately you did read that correctly. There are those who choose to partake in what is billed as the craziest sport in the world.
Held in Llanwrtyd, Wales, the event just celebrated its 31st anniversary and is showing no signs of stopping.
Participants are often dressed in less than ordinary clothing and are tasked with swimming the length of the local swamp with nothing but a snorkel and a pair of flippers for help. To add to the challenge, swimmers are not allowed to use conventional swimming strokes and must rely on the power of their trusted flippers alone.
The world record is held by Kirsty Johnson who completed the challenge in 1 minute and 22.56 seconds and while there have been new champions since Johnson’s incredible accomplishment, nobody has been successful in beating the record as of yet.
If you’re wondering why on earth a competition of this nature exists, according to legend it all began at local bar The Neuadd Arms. Gordon Green and the locals began wondering as to whether the bog could be swum and so began the annual bog snorkelling championships.
While this is most certainly billed as wild swimming, it’s all done in good spirits with many using the opportunity to raise money for local and worldwide charities. I don’t know whether that’s enough to convince me to partake in the sport mind, but I do understand the logic just a little bit more.
Happiness at Hampstead Heath
Those with a little bit more seasonal swimming sense usually head to the Parliament Hill lido located at Hampstead Heath.
A heated pool that often plays host to triathlons and duathlons alike, it’s a great day to make the most of the outdoors during the winter months.
Although many of us would not consider an outdoor pool as a viable option during the colder months, the lido is open to both adults and children alike all year round. And, unlike the annual bog swim, it doesn’t quite take the same amount of courage to dive in.
This in mind, you will have to brave the cold winter winds when walking to and from the pool, and that may be enough to change anyone’s tide. In spite of this, the outdoor pool is as popular as ever and continues to thrive throughout the year thanks to local events and clubs keeping both kids and adults interested.
These examples of outdoor winter swimming may sway some and convince others to stick to indoor pools regardless of seasonality. However, I hope your eyes have been opened to the endless possibilities offered by some fresh air filled swimming during the colder months of the year.
If you’d like to learn more about pools and how they’re maintained regardless of weather, you can take a look at a few of our blogs below. Alternatively, browse our wide selection of pool chemicals.
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