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Young sea swimmer
As another year comes to an end some of us might soon think about what to do differently in the new year, what we might give up, what we might change, and how to live healthier, and happier. At the start of 2022, Markus started a series of articles titled ‘My year of giving up’ and he wrote that ‘every ending is also a new beginning.’ So instead of giving up on unhelpful habits, we may also decide to start a new habit.
A habit that was not new to everyone but that has gained a massive burst in popularity in Ireland during the pandemic, is swimming in open, wild, and cold waters – rivers, lakes, or the ocean. It is referred to as Sea Swimming or Open Water Swimming. I admired my own mother for starting the habit of taking a daily morning dip at sunrise at her local beach on the Baltic Sea coast during the pandemic.
Swimming in Lough Rea
On a trip through Ireland in October 2021, we saw a surprising number of people taking a dip in various places along our route. In a protected cove in Connemara, even a youngster not much older than 11, was enjoying the water in a neoprene suit. In contrast, two ladies enjoyed it in bathing suits and without the extra layer of protection. When we stopped at Lough Rea a lady was getting into the lake. As we were preparing to fly out of Dublin on a quiet weekend morning we spotted two ladies in the famous dry robes in a public parking lot in Howth either coming from or heading out for a swim.
Many participants in the pastime have reported positive health effects, such as lessening the debilitating symptoms of depression, anxiety, or menopause, as well as helping with the determination to stay sober during the recovery from drug addiction. In a short clip from the BBC a sea swimmer is seen saying ‘When I am in the water, nothing matters.’ Not many ill effects are reported, but of course, being careful and safe is an important consideration when taking up this new habit. Especially open ocean beaches can be treacherous. Various organizations in Ireland and the UK give extensive advice on the equipment needed and how to stay safe when embarking on this new pastime.
Reports suggest that many who have been swimming in open waters for years are also happy to help the newbies, except maybe when those pesky ‘dry robes’ show up. While they seem very comfortable to the wearers who stay lovely warm and dry, some who have been swimming for years without the robes, seem to be ‘rubbed’ the wrong way by this expensive if not exclusive garment.
I personally will not be putting it on my list of new habits to take up in the new year, not for lack of wanting, but for lack of opportunity, but it will make it to my mental bucket list, to be done sometime in the future.
Have you tried Open Water Swimming? Maybe even year-round? Or have you found another habit that has improved your health and well-being? Please share your story in the comments, we always love to hear from our readers.
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