Why I Keep Getting Back In.....
Dippy Ambassador, Kirsty started swimming in the wild for fun and now finds it to be a big part of her life. We asked Kirsty to give us some insight into cold water swimming when your body is not playing ball and why it is okay to say “not today” when you are at home looking out at the wind, the clouds and are in pain.
It Became My Reset Button
At first, wild swimming was just a bit of fun. I would find some water, get in, have a swim, and get out looking slightly feral and very pleased with myself. But the more I got to the water, the more I realised it was doing something else…..It became my reset button.
When life feels loud, getting into cold water gives me something very simple to focus on. Breathing. Moving. Getting warm again. For that little bit of time, everything else goes quiet. It’s probably the closest thing I have to switching my nervous system off and on again. And it is why I go back every time I need to pause and take the time to allow my mind to be free.
Challenge Myself
I am a naturally curious person and after a while I started becoming interested in the cold itself. I wanted to see how my body responded to the cold temperatures. How cold could I comfortably tolerate? How quickly could I warm up? Could I stay calm when every bit of me was shouting absolutely not? Four years later, I’ve gone from dipping for the sheer enjoyment of it to swimming proper distances and racing in water that most people would quite reasonably describe as a terrible idea.
My first cold-water race under 10°C was in February 2026. I’d spent years happily getting in cold water, but racing in it was a different proposition. I loved it. Which was slightly inconvenient because it meant I then wanted to do more! I’ve done a 1.5km medal swim, finishing 14th overall, 7th female and 2nd in my age group, and later a 2km event.
It Isn’t Always About Distance
One thing to point out to other people who dip and float in the water and think they need to be distance swimmers, is that you don’t have to! You do not want to make open water swimming another thing you have to be “good” at and then take the pleasure and joy away from it. Everyone is different and experiences the open water in different ways. There are so many benefits to being in the open water that it is not necessary to become a distance swimmer if that is not your goal. I’ve never tracked how long I stay in or set myself a target time. I feel my way through it and let my body guide me. For me the distance swims were a personal challenge but ultimately it is what feels right for you.
Listen To Your Body
I still find it slightly odd that this is me now. Especially because my body isn’t exactly straightforward. I’m hypermobile, I have ongoing back and nerve pain from an old injury, and I have a chronic gut condition. Some days my body is completely up for an adventure. Other days it seems to have checked the weather forecast and decided we’re staying home. Swimming has taught me to work with that rather than constantly fighting it. It is ok to take a break and not get in the water if you aren’t feeling it.
If I’m in pain or completely wiped out, I don’t swim. There’s no medal for forcing yourself into freezing water when your body is asking for a rest.
But equally, there are days when I’m not feeling great and I know a gentle dip will help me reset. Then I’ll get in, have an easy swim and get out. No stopwatch, no target, no proving anything.
My daughter has been part of the journey too. She’s seen me come home muddy, freezing, covered in bug bites and occasionally questioning my life choices. She’s also started swimming outdoors herself, so now there are two of us voluntarily getting into cold water. For me, that’s what wild swimming has become. It’s not just about swimming. It’s about getting outside, resetting my head, learning what my body can tolerate and finding out what it can actually do. I’m not fearless. I’m not particularly graceful. I just really like getting in. Even when it’s bloody cold.
Looking Ahead
For 2027, I’m tempted to lean into the cold rather than the distance. I don’t particularly feel the need to swim further, but I’d like to explore my cold tolerance over the winter. I was really inspired by the Ice Swim Championships this year, and that could potentially become a new goal for me.
As a Dippy Ambassador, Kirsty receives 20% off our products. You can use Kirsty's discount code LASSINNATURE on the website.