Since the Covid lockdowns, there's been a growing trend for sea and river 'wild' swimming throughout the country. It seems to attract women predominately, and Suffolk has thousands of avid stalwarts along our coastline.
From Southwold to Felixstowe, shoals of devotees take to the water daily, in any weather, to get their dose of vitamin sea. The ice crystals clinging to their bodies as they enter the water melt away like their worries, as they chat through issues from bereavement to menopause. This is female friendship at its most pure. But what is it about plunging into England’s murky coastal waters that keeps women coming back for more?
Nina Parnham believes it's the sense of community and sharing a space with like-minded women that is at the heart of its popularity. Nina, who owns Suffolk Woman’s Wellness Centre, tried sea swimming for the first time last year as she had heard that cold water therapy could help some of her long term health issues. Knowing she hated the cold, she also wanted to step outside her comfort zone, so decided to brave it one day last May, with a friend.
The mum of two and trained midwife says: “The first time I went into the sea, it was a really unusual sensation - almost like a contraction. I didn’t know if I could do it. I couldn’t feel my body between my neck and pelvis. We were only in for a very short time and when I came out, I was like ‘I don’t know what that was, but I want to try it again’. I mentioned it to a few more people and they came with me the next time. I really enjoyed the sensation and from there, it spiralled.”
Nina set up a Facebook page called ‘The Double Ds’, a free, women-only swim group, which meets every Sunday in Felixstowe at sunrise. It already has 250 members.
“We don’t have our make up or hair done - it is all about the camaraderie. You don’t have to feel confident. Some days we go into the sea feeling like Beyonce and other days it’s really hard, but it always boosts our mood. It gives you a sense of community and you develop really special bonds with other women.”
As well as the friendships formed, there are also many health benefits to cold water swimming. Improved sleep, less anxiety and more energy to name just a few. Nina, a women’s health practitioner, explains: “The cold water tones down the vagus nerve, which is the information super highway from the brain to the rest of the body. The vagus nerve helps control and regulate a lot of messages from our brain to do with digestive and reproductive systems.
"Once the vagus nerve is calm, it drops your heart rate and regulates you, which is why cold water swimming can be really good for those going through many conditions, including perimenopause and menopause.
“I’m in perimenopause so I have a lot more racing thoughts and stuff going on, but when I go into the sea, I can’t think of anything else. You are literally present in the moment and it leaves you feeling calm.”
Jessica McKenna is another new devotee to wild swimming, claiming it is “addictive”. Her cold water journey began three years ago when she moved from Debenham to Leiston to be near the sea. She got chatting to a swimmer at Sizewell Beach and decided to try it herself. There is now a regular group of people, calling themselves ‘Sizewell Sea Swimmers’ who turn up every weekend to swim, chat and laugh together. Afterwards they warm up with a hot drink and cake from the nearby café.
Jessica, a college tutor who has two children, didn’t know anyone when she first moved, but has made some lovely friendships thanks to her new found hobby. “We talk about all sorts," she says, "love life, husbands, dates, kids.
“I have had a lot of anxiety and bereavement in the last few years and I find that swimming is my coping mechanism. My dad died a few months ago and if it hadn’t been for the people I’ve met, I would have never got through it as well as I have.” Jessica, who favours wearing a bikini over a wetsuit (all year round), believes it is the cold water shock that keeps you coming back for more.
“You are so in the moment and have to concentrate on your breathing. There is lots of shrieking, swearing and laughing. The way I describe it is you go in feeling stressed and it freezes everything then melts it away. It has such a positive effect on your mental health.”
Natasha Sones, who heads up the ‘Shingle Street Bluetits’, describes her experience of sea swimming as “magical”. The mum of three, who works at the University of Suffolk, tried sea swimming a couple of years ago following encouragement from a friend. At the time she was into paddleboarding and didn’t catch the wild swimming bug straight away. However, when an injury meant she couldn’t continue with paddleboarding, she gave the cold water another chance as she had heard about the health benefits and it was love at second sight!
She joined the ‘Deben Bluetits’ in Woodbridge and was soon asked to set up a group in Shingle Street. There are now 1,000 members and they hold regular events like full moon and sunrise swims. “When I started the group around three years ago, I hadn’t lived in Shingle Street for long so it has enabled me to meet more people," says Natasha. "People of different ages and backgrounds from all over the county come to swim here. There is nothing at Shingle Street and it can seem a bit bleak, but it is a really healing place.
“For a lot of people, it is about the camaraderie and friendship. What is said in the water, stays in the water. We confide with each other and talk through our problems, then we jump in the waves and come out feeling refreshed.”
During lockdown, swimming was Natasha’s lifeline - both her escape and stress reliever. “It makes me feel like I can forget my problems,” she says. “It allows me to be in the moment and not think about anything else. It gives me a real sense of community and connection to nature too. It’s life affirming.”
With such health benefits and female bonds to form, it’s no wonder women all over Suffolk are diving in.
A spiritual awakening
On a cold, frosty, winter’s morning, photographer Sarah Lucy Brown and I headed out in the dark to meet a group of women from The Double Ds on the shores at Felixstowe, who were about to embark on a sunrise swim. They arrived, some in pairs or groups, others on their own, all sporting large coats and towels, and in possession of a nervous yet excitable energy. Nina took the temperature - just 4C, their coldest dip yet. With their belongings resting on the beach, they stripped down to their costumes and headed towards a serene sea as the orange sun started to peek through the heavy clouds.
There was no screaming or laughter, it was complete silence as they entered the water in a trance-like state, concentrating on their breathing while their bodies adjusted to the extreme cold. They waded in deeper, in a slow, methodical fashion. Deep breaths were taken as the icy water washed over them. Most dipped their shoulders under, a few took some strokes, others remained still, eyes shut or facing the horizon, breathing through the experience. It was a few moments of utter peace. As they emerged, the smiles spread across their faces. Towels, hot water bottles and flasks were grabbed as a low chatter began, sharing elation and pride. Everyone had different reasons for being there, like health issues, overcoming fears, having a break from the family. But in that moment, on a cold Sunday morning, they were all united in a powerful sisterhood.
Shingle Street Bluetits' advice for wild swimmers
Go with someone else for your first time
Join a group – it’s more fun
Take it slow - don’t rush in
Go in for as long as you feel like
Have something warm to change into and something hot to drink
Get changed quickly
Check tides/local weather/ask locals for advice about conditions
Bring a tow float for your phone and also for buoyancy
