WILD SWIMMING

WILD SWIMMING is a term that seems to get a lot of people’s knickers in a knot. Similar to wild camping, you will often hear “We just called it swimming in my day”.

I grew up in a city and didn’t become interested in the outdoors till I was in my mid 20s. In my day, swimming was something you did in a pool; and, whilst I don’t always call what I do now wild swimming, I’m certainly not against using the term. My main reason for distinguishing between pool swimming, open water or outdoor swimming, and wild swimming is the different levels of personal responsibility required. Just swimming in your local baths, or at an organised outdoor event? If something goes wrong, there