How to stay safe when wild swimming – plus tips for getting started

Wild – or outdoor – swimming has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, with more and more people braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons. If winter swimming sounds a little bracing, then luckily late spring and early summer is a more favourable time to start. The water temperate is still cold at the start of the official outdoor swimming season, but through gradual acclimatisation your body will soon adjust, and you may be surprised by how much warmer the water temperature feels by the end of the summer – and you should find the experience much more comfortable.

From chilly dips in hidden lagoons to epic lakes and rivers and the sea, wild swimming is all the rage in the UK, but how do you get started? Before heading for a wild swim it is important to do some research into water safety.

Here is our essential wild swimming guide, including guidance on water safety and how to get used to swimming in cold water.

What is wild swimming?

Wild swimming is essentially swimming outdoors in natural spaces, such as rivers, lakes or the sea. It has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with more and more people taking to the water on a regular basis.

Is wild swimming safe?

Wild swimming – or swimming in general can be a fun and enjoyable activity. Swimming outdoors is a great way to stay fit and connect with nature but some basic safety precautions must be taken. Each year a number of water-related accidents and deaths could potentially be avoided by following proper safety measures.

How to stay safe wild swimming

Open water is usually cold and may be very deep. There can be hazards like shopping trolleys or broken glass in rivers and lakes. Shingle beaches ‘shelve’ quickly, often becoming very deep not far from shore. Riverbanks can be slippery and hard to climb.

There are a few simple rules that can increase personal safety whilst swimming;

• Avoid swimming 48 hours after heavy rain. This is when pollution, such as sewage or agricultural and urban run-off, is carried into the rivers, lakes and seas.
• If you’re worried about water quality, keep your head above the surface to avoid ingesting any water.
• Cover any cuts to prevent infection and practice good hygiene by washing your hands after swimming.
• Drink a fizzy drink after swimming. There’s no scientific data behind this, but many swimmers swear by the idea that drinks, such as Coca-Cola, can neutralise harmful bacteria.
• Before you swim, familiarise yourself with the signs of cold water shock. Make sure you bring a change of warm clothes and a hot water bottle for when you exit the water.
• Avoid swimming alone. A friend will maximise your safety when wild swimming, and as a bonus it’ll make your swim will be more enjoyable. If swimming with a friend isn’t possible then trail a bright tow float behind you on a cord and wear a colourful swim hat – red is the most visible.

How do I know if a river is safe to swim in?

By following a few simple rules and due diligence, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy safe wild swimming across the UK.

Choose your swim spot wisely

The first rule is to choose your swim spot wisely. We’re lucky in the UK to have so many options available; meandering rivers, spectacular coastline and beaches, and beautiful lakes.

These days, there’s a huge amount of data available to help inform our decisions on where to swim. Marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a great resource. Download their free Safer Sea and Rivers Service app to access data from water companies and regulators about how safe certain locations are for bathing. They also provide a UK-wide sewage release map, with up-to-date information marking any releases, so you can be sure to avoid swimming in any contaminated areas.

Swim close to the water's source

As a rule of thumb, the closer you are to a water’s source, the less chance there is of contamination. Upland streams, dipping pools and mountain lakes will often have exceptionally clean water, though beware of any dead livestock or wildlife nearby. The further downstream you go, the more pollution you might encounter.

Choose a bathing site

Alternatively, you could choose to swim at one of the UK’s designated bathing sites. These coastal and inland swimming locations are considered safe and clean for swimming and are monitored by the Environment Agency between May and September. Check the Swimfo website to find local designated bathing areas and check the latest water quality reports.

Study a map

By studying an OS map, you can see the locations of sewage treatment plants or industrial units, such as chicken farms, and opt to swim upstream and away from them.

Check before you dip

Even with the most thorough preparation, you may arrive at your chosen swim spot and feel that something isn’t quite right. If the water looks or smells funky, best not go in. Blue-green algal blooms and slick scummy surfaces can be a sign of poor water quality. Conditions can change regularly and even your most regular spots may not be right for swimming some days.

Test the water

Some people choose to use in-the-moment water testing kits such as the Bactiquick. It’s a pricey option but worthwhile for those that want the extra reassurance.

If you’re stuck for a swimming partner in crime or want to meet other wild swimmers, do a search for wild swimming on Facebook. There are lots of regional wild swimming groups and they often have regular meetups, meaning you don’t have to swim alone.

It really is worth joining the Outdoor Swimming Society too. With 25,000 members it's the biggest wild swimming group in the UK and it's free to join. The OSS hosts several events across the country, including the legendary Dart 10k, and also hosts a national outdoor swim event calendar.

More outdoor inspiration

• Beginner's guide to wild camping in the UK – is it legal and what rules do you have to follow?
• How well do you know your beach flags? Make sure you can tell the difference with expert advice from the RNLI
• Beautiful UK beaches to visit right now
• This epic, unmarked long-distance route climbs the equivalent of Everest and navigates three stunning national parks
• Inspired by The Salt Path and want to walk the South West Coast Path? Here’s everything you need to know