After a big adventure this year (taking on a SUP race in the Alps in 2024) it seems to be an annual thing now to do something adventurous around the time of my birthday! So my next big adventure was entering the wonderful UK Cold Water Swimming Championships!
It was held by the South London Swimming Club (SLSC), a members’ club whose home is Tooting Bec Lido, the largest fresh water pool in England. They are one of England’s oldest swimming clubs, founded in 1906. With entrants from around the globe, freezing races, hot tubs, saunas, cheering, bunting, stalls full of lovely swimmy goodies, bespoke beers and tasty hot food trucks. Plus charity icy dips, fabulous hats, cups of hot Ribena and so many laughing and smiling faces. Anyone can enter, you don’t need to be an SLSC member. The water would be cold (around 1-5ºC) and you must acclimatise to cold water before taking part.
I was super excited to be entering with lots of Bluetits friends. The Bluetits Chill Swimmers has been the reason I love wild swimming and am part of an amazing community of likeminded people. It started when I took part in a body confidence campaign with Deakin & Blue and The Bluetits in 2021 and has just taken off.
It is also handy as I am currently researching my wild swimming book about London and the South East. The Champs represent much more than just a swim meet – it’s a chance for our international swimming community to meet our amazing local community, forging friendships for life.
The SLSC UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2025 included both individual races and relays. And, as part of the opening ceremony, there was also an ice breaker challenge in aid of charity partner Crisis.
Bluetits with Ella from Outdoor Swimmer magazine
Best Hat Competition
Based on the traditional head up breaststroke race – where hats are encouraged, the fancier the better – the idea is simple. Create a new hat this January and wear it while swimming a width of the Lido in the head up breaststroke race at the Championships. There will be a prize for the best overall hat, plus prizes for the specialist categories. Below are some images of previous year's entrants.
Images by Gail Mclean from the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2019
I needed to think of some hat ideas which are lightweight that I could actually swim in but also obviously visually stunning! I decided my hat was going to be vibrant and colourful to brighten up the day!
I didn't win a prize but I was on BBC Breakfast showing off my hat!
A fab day out in the end and I have lots more swim ideas in the pipeline!
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