Catching Breath | The Healing Power of Cold Water Swimming

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Scotland has witnessed a spectacular rise in those participating in cold water swimming.
In a country that enjoys thousands miles of dramatic coastline, an abundance of beautiful lochs, waterfalls and rivers, folk up and down the country have bravely put their toes (and more) into Scotland's chilly waters.
Yet, despite the freezing temperatures, people feel energised, invigorated and ready to take on anything once they've taken the plunge.
This short film captures the spirit of what it means to cold water swim in Scotland.
Many thanks to:
Moray Wild Swimmers
Nairn Selkies
Hopeman Mermaids
Wild Dookers
Wild Swimming - Scotland Facebook Group
For their help in pulling this short film together during the bitterly cold winter months of Nov/Dec 2021.

[@alexlaurens2096]

Beautiful, this catches the essence of cold water swimming.

[@Tematrilia]

Yay! it is the best rutine habit i have ever got into...it makes me happy

[@NefariaAdventures]

Beautiful video

[@kathymccarthy33]

Thanks for this short film. Our little group in Port Carling, Ontario in Canada just hit our one year anniversary of dipping here over the winter. What an amazing experience every time:) Sending lots of good vibes your way!

[@mcbarberblue]

Brilliant little video

[@amandasymon4363]

Recently joined a beach swimming group on the Isle of Wight - Good bye crippling anxiety - hello joy 🏊‍♀️🤸‍♀️👊👊👊❤️

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

Brilliant to hear that you've taken that first plunge and put your toes in the water so to speak. It really is invigorating and wish you lots of joy with the group.

[@n.s4269]

We have an ancient primordial connection with cold water and the cold seas and lakes. It is a magic few of us get to experience.

[@kathydilullo6740]

Wow what a great little film. Totally agree with everything. I'm a bit of a lone swimmer, my favourite place is Collieston Bay, Aberdeenshire. Its a fantastic place to swim.

[@coastlineandpines2346]

You've completely summed up cold water swimming! Such a beautiful five mins. Thank you

[@hilaryrogers5832]

Brilliant short film which says it exactly as it is! Hello from us swimmers in West Wales 👋

[@higheyedronescotland670]

This is a crackin' wee film. It's so well edited, narrated and photographed. As a wannabe wild swimmer I found it encouraging and entertaining. My mental health needs attention, (not to mention my physical status) and if it's good enough for Joe Marler, it's more than good enough for me.

[@juliebaumlisberger2557]

Brilliant! Greetings from Ontario, Canada! We have a pond that I plunge in throughout the winter. As soon as the ice has melted, I am swimming across. It's about 8 degrees now, a bit on the "warmish" side, but I still love swimming every morning! Thank you for sharing our passion!!

[@lisakedward1162]

❤😢 I dunno why I'm crying sat here on my bed in Wales uk in my pjs on a Tuesday morning watching this. My god you guys ❤❤

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

HI Lisa, thanks for the kind comment, hope there's a group nearby that you can join and try it out or if you do so already, then great, well done you. Warm hugs

[@lisakedward1162]

@@FierceBeastieProductions well, there was a reason I was looking into why this mad group of people were sat on the beach steps clearly shivering and been in the pre high tide on a stormy Sunday afternoon. My husband and I went for a little walk (we never go at high tide as we tend to like to sand walk and beach comb with our youngest child) but just decided to take a walk at this moment. We chatted about how it must feel amazing afterward or why would people do it.. he said I'm game if you are.. (we are in that 13yr 40/45 no hobby zone) so after a Google.. a group join.. another chat..a cry.. An amazon mini list we are gonna do it. I think it'll be just the 2 of us on a couples cold chilly cuddle up afterwards dip. It has to be therapeutic cleansing and endorphin making right?! Haha

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

@@lisakedward1162 A lot of groups have just started as small groups of individuals, friends and family - some as a dare, some as I'd like to try it but don't want to go it on my own (which we wouldn't recommend anyway). Our best advice is to chat more with the "mad group of people", working up to joining them on, perhaps less stormy day, or search for a nearby wild swimmers Facebook group - you'll find that everyone you speak to have all had the same reservations at the beginning but after that first "toe in the water" experience - they've become hooked. Its great fun as a shared experience with a small group and useful support for things like safety, knowledge on tides, equipment/clothing etc, Best of luck with your fist dip, there are many that take theirs around Xmas or New Year - but most of all - stay safe - check the tide times - best is "slack" tide - up to 1 hour before or after high tide time. Enjoy - we'd love to hear all about your first experience.

[@jingpengliu5815]

nature never judge us❤❤❤

[@rebeccastults1838]

YES, I started cold water dips this past fall in the Salish sea in Washington State. What a glorious feeling. Nothing like it. It makes you feel so alive.

[@rennicksweddingcars]

I started in April this year I absolutely love it 💫

[@philipchin3589]

simply Scotland brave , thanks for shewing

[@scorpyloon2182]

Very inspiring! I've started doing it too over here in Sweden!

[@lorrainegeraghty9670]

I really great film,thank yourself for sharing it ,it’s very inspiring.

[@maryannk4627]

I just started dipping here in Dartmouth Nova Scotia Thanksgiving of 2022 and really feel the joy it brings in my life.

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

Well done, great to hear and what a time of year to start. I'm sure you'd enjoy the polar bear challange, I'm sure your more than acclimatised. Keep it going.

[@z7zz668]

@@FierceBeastieProductions nice song👍🏻.....what's song?😁

[@MetalDeadness]

beautiful people! don't think... just live! nature is alway there for us.

[@fisherp22]

brilliant edit ! great message.😀

[@impping2012]

Затаив дыхание ! | Целебная сила плавания в холодной воде С начала пандемии в Шотландии наблюдается впечатляющий рост числа людей, занимающихся плаванием в холодной воде. В стране, которая имеет тысячи миль драматической береговой линии, обилие красивых озер, водопадов и рек, люди по всей стране смело окунулись (и не только) в холодные воды Шотландии. Тем не менее, несмотря на отрицательные температуры, люди чувствуют себя энергичными, бодрыми и готовыми взяться за что угодно, как только они сделают решающий шаг. Этот короткометражный фильм передает дух того, что значит купаться в холодной воде в Шотландии. Большое спасибо: Дикие пловцы мурены Нэрн Селки Русалки Хоупмена Дикие Дукеры Дикое плавание - Шотландия Группа в Facebook За их помощь в создании этого короткометражного фильма в суровые зимние месяцы ноября/декабря 2021 года.

[@Franscampi]

Lovely!

[@swimmerwater]

Bravo!

[@Ben-Jembai]

What a fantastic short film. I've been ocean swimming in Cornwall all summer, you've inspired me to keep it up all winter.

[@ghengis430]

I prefer swimming in the winter and spring now. Love the buzz. I also like the solitude though. Had the beach to myself today. Alive!

[@andycorellijones3598]

Invigorating! I’m off to get my cossy...

[@karinberryman2009]

In Australia not too many of us swim in winter but I suspect the temperature in coastal Scottish water in summer is less than that of our coastal water here in southern Australia in winter.

[@boytes55]

Brilliant!

[@crazyoldmaninthewoods]

Great wee vid, I was doing some wild swimming with wetsuit for fitness and improving freestyle technique but this year I'm to add in some proper cold water sessions with no wetsuit.

[@emmaarcher8057]

Beautiful

[@IB66145]

It's just a great way to boost the immune system and make us hardy. IE we've become more feeble. Whatever way you choose the body to go, bothered/not bothered, it compounds.

[@33Jenesis]

Our community pool heater malfunctioned so pool has not been at 75 degrees (24C) this week. My 85-yr old mother and I went at noon, she walked and I practiced swimming. Water is about 60F. We wear 2mm neoprene jacket and 1.5mm neoprene capris. I keep thinking about people who swim in lake and ocean all year round. If they can do it, I can continue my daily swim, heated pool or not.

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

Well done Jen33 and huge shout out to your mother, 85 years young. Its amazing what the body can do, keep going and we'll look forward to seeing you maybe taking on one of the Polar Bear challenges in years to come. 🥰👏

[@risitasfrance9020]

For a beginner cold water itself is not dangerous but the wind that you forget can be harmful

[@mehitabel1290]

Which gloves and boots would you recommend, please? I've always been put off winter swimming because of the pain in my hands and feet..

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

Plenty of options for neoprene gloves and shoes out there - all fairly cheap - 5mm better than 3mm for colder temps but 3mm are slightly more flexible (gloves) - dont think you can go wrong with any selection though.

[@mehitabel1290]

@@FierceBeastieProductions thanks. It was the "neoprene" I was wondering about..

[@lisaruttle8936]

Try ORCA. I bought booties & gloves only took Them off now in July sea swimming in Cork for our holidays.

[@yanlizkurt2741]

İnspirational

[@augusto321]

How long does it last your swimming? ciao!

[@FierceBeastieProductions]

At this time of year it's approx 10 mins as the water temperature is approx. 6 degrees C. But if you are a new swimmer then you need to build it up over time.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

production looks like an advertisement.

[@prestonjackson9086]

The dopamine fix is great

[@user-yl9ck9ob5t]

Doesn’t count if you wear a wet suit

[@mooncat.787]

Agreed.